There was a time in this fair land when basements were dark, dingy places that were the domain of washers and dryers, and tools that were seldom used. It was the place where unwanted Christmas presents went to die. Then homeowners in search of more living space discovered that basements could become habitable spaces. “Man caves” started appearing in basements everywhere. But these were still rather dark rooms, usually devoted to some kind of large television where men could watch sporting events with their buddies.
Things have changed since those days. With the proper design (and skilled execution) the hidden potential of basement space has been unlocked at last. The basement is no longer the place where people and things are banished. Now it can be a place where people want to spend time. Here are just a few ways you can turn the unused space under your feet into great, usable space where family, friends and guests will feel comfortable.
A Spare Bedroom:
If you regularly have guests, but hate having to put them up on the sleeper sofa in the family room, you can turn your basement (or at least part of it) into a great guest room. It may also be the solution you’re looking for if you have a teenager at home who is looking for a little more personal space away from the rest of the family.
A Home Office:
Even if you don’t work out of your home, it’s nice to have a place where you can do paperwork, work on the taxes, pay the bills and not have a pile of papers laying around. And if you do occasionally have to work at home, it’s nice to have your office in a place that’s a bit removed from the activities in the rest of the house.
A Home Entertainment Room:
We’re not talking about a man cave here. We’re talking about a place where the whole family can gather and watch a movie or play some games. The right design, flooring, custom built-in cabinets surrounding your TV, lights, and sound system can turn your basement into one of the favorite rooms in your home.
A Craft Room:
If you’re into crafts, you know that things aren’t always totally tidy. If you’re tired of having to put everything away all the time when you’re in the middle of a project, you could turn part of your basement into a craft room—designed specifically the way you want it.
We’ve just scratched the surface on the things you can do to make your basement more livable. For some additional ideas, check out our portfolio of basements we’ve remodeled in the Morris, Union, Somerset, Bergen and Essex area. If this is being banished…bring it on!
The experienced team at JMC Home Improvement Specialists are ready to bring your dream basement to life. Contact our qualified and knowledgeable team to schedule a consultation (virtual consultations offered, too!) today.
