Media rooms are often confused with home theaters. Contrary to popular belief, media rooms are not dedicated to the replication of a cinematic experience—that would be a home theater. Instead, media rooms are for social interactions. A media room features a TV, but the TV isn’t the sole purpose or focus of the room.
In order to transform your basement into the ideal media room, you’ll need a TV, a strong Internet connection, and an abundance of comfortable seating. Media rooms work best for those who enjoy entertaining and talking while watching and listening to media. The emphasis is put on the ability to be able to chat with friends and family in a relaxed setting.
Airbnb is one of the newest and most popular ways to vacation. Hosts can offer their home as a place for guests to stay, rather than a hotel or condo. And because Airbnb has different hosting options, you can rent out your entire home or just the extra space in your home—which in this case would be the basement!
Turning your basement into an Airbnb is ideal for homeowners that have basements with their own entrance and exit. This allows guests to come and go as they please and without bothering the homeowners. There are lots of tips and tricks online for transforming your basement into an Airbnb. And if you do this, it’s likely you’ll quickly make back what you spent on renovations.
If you’re a movie buff, we recommend transforming your basement into an at-home movie theater. We all know that movies are undoubtedly better on the big screen—which is why you should totally invest in the essentials required for an in-home cinematic experience.
Thanks to affordable technology, home theaters are achievable. And if you’re starting with an unfinished basement, it will be easy. You’ll need to pre-wire surround sound equipment, a video projector, and lighting before installing insulation and drywall. Once complete, you’ll be ready to hang your speakers and projector screen, add seating, and unwind with popcorn and a movie!
When planning basement renovations, we recommend deciding early on what you want to do with the space. If you’re an avid reader, your dream may be to build your own home library. And if this is the case, you’ll need a plan to help you create the library of your dreams! There are many ways to splurge and save when doing so.
You can line the walls with built-in bookshelves, or you can get thrifty and purchase used or secondhand bookcases. Once your shelves are lined with poetry, prose, drama, and nonfiction, you can begin thinking of what else to add to your library. Would you like a bar cart so you can mix a cocktail before diving into a book? Or would you benefit from a cozy reading nook where you can go to relax after a long day? There are so many design options!
What better way to reinvent your unused and unfinished basement than by adding a bar? Basements are dark and cozy, making them the perfect space for a late night cocktail or cold beer. This will easily become one of your favorite places to be. It’s perfect for entertaining friends or for a night in with your significant other.
If you’re ready to install your own basement bar, look at home design websites and blogs for inspiration. There are so many different vibes to choose from when building an in-home bar. Some people prefer sleek surfaces and modern fixtures, while others prefer rustic textures and dark woods. No matter how you choose to decorate your bar, it’s sure to impress.
There’s no denying the convenience of a home gym. And basements often offer the perfect space for exercise and fitness. They’re typically spacious and generally cooler than the rest of the home. And they’re likely built on concrete foundations, allowing them to handle a significant amount of weight.
Depending on the type of exercise you enjoy, you may want to install cardio equipment like a treadmill or elliptical in your home gym. If you enjoy Zumba, you may want to add mirrors and dance flooring. Or if you like weightlifting, you may choose to invest in a bench, kettlebells, dumbbells, and barbells. That’s what’s so great about a home gym. It’s completely customizable and up to you!
Basement playrooms have become a common feature in homes. This is because every child needs a place to release energy and basements are the ideal indoor space for just that. Instead of allowing your child to transform your living room into a playroom, transform your basement into a kid-friendly space. Basement playrooms typically work best for children who are old enough not to require constant supervision. In this case, you can be upstairs making dinner or folding laundry while your child plays downstairs.
It typically takes very little to please a child. Give them space to play and toys to play with and they’ll be happy. If you do choose to add extra decorations and design details to your child’s playroom, we recommend shopping with functionality and durability in mind. We also recommend purchasing storage cubbies or baskets so that toys can be picked up and put away when not in use!
Working from home isn’t always desirable, but with a little help, you can renovate your basement into a home office you’ll want to spend time in. To help you get motivated, we recommend transforming your unfinished basement into a productive work space. Creating a space that you love will encourage you to work harder and more efficiently.
While finding a spacious desk and comfortable chair is important, so is investing in the right lighting. Because your office is in your basement, you most likely lack natural light. To compensate for the lack of natural light, add lamps. The additional lighting will create warmth and keep you focused during the darker morning and evening hours.
If your unused basement space is begging to be renovated, think of remodeling it into an additional living space. Not only can this increase the value of your home, but it can provide a great place for family and friends to gather, especially if your original living room is easily crowded.
When planning your basement renovation, you’ll need to determine what design elements you want to include. Do you only want a TV, couch, and chairs in your basement? Or do you want a TV, couch, chairs, kitchenette, and dining table? Do you believe you would benefit from washer and dryer in the basement for laundry? There’s a lot to determine before getting started. Although it may be tedious to think of all of these elements, it will help you as you move forward with the renovation process.
Having a wine cellar is a wine enthusiast’s dream. Luckily, if you’re a wine connoisseur with an unfinished basement or a basement in need of a remodel, you can totally add your own wine cellar. It might be a formidable task, but it’s a task that will pay off!
It’s likely you’ll see a $3 return in increased property value for every dollar spent on building the wine cellar. And basements are the most common location for wine cellars. If a traditional wine cellar is not in your budget, think of reevaluating your expectations. A custom wine cabinet costs approximately $500, while a walk-in wine cave can cost up to $100,000. You may just want to start with a wine rack or cabinet under your basement staircase and expand in the future. Think about how much you want to invest in this project and plan accordingly!
One of the easiest ways to renovate your basement is to turn it into a hobby and craft room. You first need to completely finish the room by adding lighting, heating, flooring, and insulation, and then you’ll need to add a fresh coat of paint to the walls. Once complete, you can start decorating!
The foundation of an effective craft room is a sturdy work space and an abundance of craft supplies. If you want to incorporate the craft supplies into your room’s design, you can purchase trendy organizational storage containers and bins to keep your materials in order. The best part of a craft room is that it can easily be adapted into a multipurpose space. Let your craft room double as an office, home library, or playroom—-depending on how much use you believe it will get.
Adding a music or recording studio to your home may seem daunting, but it can actually be done with ease and little financial backing (if you already have the necessary equipment). And because anyone can produce and release music online, more and more people are creating DIY recording studios in their homes.
This surprisingly affordable venture starts with determining the ideal space—in this case, a basement. You’ll need to add extra insulation and lots of plush rugs in order to soundproof the space. And you’ll want to purchase a dehumidifier because basements can be damp—which could be detrimental to music equipment. Speaking of music equipment, that’s what you’ll need to complete your recording studio!
If you like unwinding at the end of the day with a little fun, consider turning your basement into a game room. It will be a game-changer—get it? This space can be filled with arcade games, pool tables, and whatever else your heart desires. There’s so much potential!
In addition to the stereotypical elements of a game room—like a billiard table, elevated foosball table, and pinball machine—imagine other design elements you’d like to include. Would you like cozy seating for intimate conversations? Or a cocktail corner for nightcaps? It’s up to you!
It’s surprising how many homeowners with basements don’t use their basements for extra storage space—even though they totally could. If your home is feeling or looking cluttered, go through your belongings and purge things you no longer use or need. Store your remaining belongings in the basement!
There are a few tips and tricks to follow when using an unfinished basement for storage. Keep all items off of the ground. With the help of shelves, you can keep all of your stuff off of the floor. This prevents items from being ruined by the moisture from the concrete. To keep items from smelling musty, keep all fabrics in airtight bags/containers. This will ensure that they’re unable to absorb strange scents. And avoid storing anything you treasure in the basement—especially if you don’t want to risk damage from water or humidity.
One of the most common transformations of a basement is into a guest room. This is always an ideal option because basements are spacious and separate from the rest of the home. When guests come over to stay, you’re able to offer them a space that’s private and cozy! They won’t feel like they’re intruding and you won’t feel overwhelmed by their presence.
When renovating your basement into a guest room, make sure to think about who will be most likely to use the space. Do you have multiple family members that visit during the holidays, or do you have children with friends that stay over often? These questions may help you decide what you’re wanting. Some people create multiple rooms within their basement for guests, while others keep the space open and utilize different size and style beds for guests.
