June 21st,
2012
Have you been somewhat puzzled in trying to come up with a design concept that will bring
life to that dark, dank concrete space under your home? Well, before you can
even think about the colors of the paint, the placement of furniture or carpet
in your Basement, you need to evaluate the space in question first. Don’t get
discouraged though, your basement no longer has to be the dungeon and creepy,
unused space it once was. With a little inspiration and creative planning you
can soon realize a warm, inviting and truly awe-inspiring extension to your
home.
First, stand at the bottom of your Basement steps and take a look at the
space available to you. Try to get a preliminary visual picture of how you want
to use the space and what the functionality is in which you want to achieve.
Imagine what it might look like and store that image away in your mind. Also
utilize the many examples available to you on the Internet as well as in
magazines. Remember to be budget conscious and prioritize your most important
aspects of the design.
During your inventory, you have to take into account a few
necessary evils. For example, by identifying the items that will have to stay
no matter what. These items include the heater/AC unit and associated ductwork,
water heater, sump pump and crock, electrical panel and wiring, pipes, support
columns, and beams. All of these things are necessary to the function of the
home and their location cannot be changed without incurring monumental costs.
If you have a very large budget then moving these items may better serve your
new floor plan. In the majority of cases it is wise to use your budget for
other things that might serve your needs in a more functional way. Although the
original builder/owner of the home did not take into account the future use of
the Basement as living space as they were placing the utilities, with a good
design these items can be hidden in a way that can make them become part of the
design and even add visual appeal.
Some Common Ideas
- Office: With the right lighting and
organization you can create the office or work environment you’ve always
wanted. Again, if you have a separate entrance you can even capitalize on
operating your business from home while saving thousands a year on Gas.
- Game Room: Most basements have more than
enough space to accommodate a pool table, darts and other family games.
Add a bar and turn the game room into a classy, welcoming neighborhood
retreat.
- Childs
Playroom: A
perfect haven for children or grandchildren … consider using softer
furnishings such as carpet in children’s play areas as the entire floor
need not be the same for all areas of the design.
- Gym: No excuses not to hit the gym
when it’s right there in your own home! Mirrors, TV’s, a juice bar and of
course exercise equipment, will give you the motivation to actually stick
to your Fitness goals.
- Guest
Quarters: Perfect
for overnight or extended company. They will feel right at home with the
extra privacy and Creating a cozy bedroom makes guests feel welcome and
comfortable, even though they may be far from home
- Extra
Living Space: Maybe
you simply want to utilize the extra space for the whole family? One of
the many benefits of a well-planned basement is that can cater to the
whole family’s needs. Plenty of open space means everyone can do what they
enjoy, all at the same time. To me that is a win-win situation for any family. Also with
the extra space you gain in a basement remodel you’ll have more than
enough room to host all the family holidays.
Reclaiming
that dungeon may seem like a daunting task, but the rewards you’ll reap will be
pay you back ten-fold.
If you are
interested in remodeling your basement call Artisan Construction and Remodeling today for a Design consultation
and estimate.
Happy
Remodeling!
Next Time… The
Construction process
