Creating the right environment for your basement
Written by guest writer on May 16, 2012 – 9:17 pm -Basements are a great way to extend your living space into an area that can serve many different purposes. Because a basement is a blank slate with its open layout, it’s your job to add components that will transform it into the perfect environment for your household’s needs.
What you want to use the basement for? Do you want a family room where you can all kick back to watch a movie? If so, you might be after a couch and recliners as part of a home theater setup. Do you dream about inviting friends over to hang out around your home bar? Start with bar stools, a selection of your favorite drinks and a pool table, dartboard or other games for entertainment. Would you love to send the kids down to their basement playroom so you can keep clutter out of your living room? A kid-only space with beanbag chairs, games and a wall painted with chalkboard paint will foster hours of fun and creativity. Want to use part of the basement for a home office where you can escape to work on projects in peace? Consider using a tall, wide bookshelf as a moveable wall. Curtains can also divide the space and hide any areas of the basement you use for storage.
Once you have your spaces established, get creative with your décor to turn one or more spaces into the basement you’ve been imagining. Give the room some character with wall hangings that complement the use you have planned for the space, such as movie posters, vintage advertisements, mirrors to make the space appear larger, neon signs for your bar or a bulletin board where you can tack up important papers or design ideas for inspiration. Because basements are at least partially underground, lighting is one of the keys to creating a perfect environment. Choose from halogens, overhead lights (ideally replacing the harsh glow of fluorescent bulbs), desk lamps or those you set on end tables for the perfect reading atmosphere. Work with a contractor or install glass block windows that will allow natural light to enter the room while also offering you and your family privacy.
The last step to making your basement space great is adding the extra touches that make it useful. For example, a surround-sound speaker system can make watching TV and movies much more enjoyable. A great area rug will give your kids somewhere cozy to play on the floor and brighten up the room. A custom-made bar will make a great gathering space for your game room and a fun place to hang out after the big game or to watch weekly sporting events. The important thing is to make sure you have the things that make you feel like the space is complete, not only functionally, but with the decor as well.
What are you using your basement space for? What have you done or seen others do to make a basement comfortable and useful for get-togethers with friends and family?
Jessica is interested in interior design and home improvement. She enjoys enhancing her environment with DIY projects.
| Posted in » 
