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Basement Remodeling: Making the Most of your Underground Space
by Dawn West
dawn.west@homeimprovementideas.net
Home Improvement Ideas Columnist
Basements often get a raw deal. They're left unfinished, with cold cement floors and un-plastered walls. Not exactly inviting. Maybe you're using yours for extra storage or maybe you threw some remnant carpet down there and it's become your teenager's make-shift video game room. Whatever you're using it for, chances are your basement is one of your home's most underutilized spaces. Here are some tips for transforming the dungeon at the bottom of the stairs into one of your home's best features.
Basement remodeling might not be on the top of your home improvement to-do list. After all, you can just close the door and practically forget your basement is down there. But in fact, basement remodeling can set you up with one of the most surprisingly wonderful spaces around. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of your underground.
Tip #1 -- Think Light
Basements can be unappealing in part because they're dark. Lightening the space with light-colored floors and light-colored walls can help. Sloping your yard down to large basement windows to offer extra natural light downstairs can be another great solution. Consider springing for extra-nice artificial lights to give the rooms a more luxurious feel, even if they're a little dimmer than your home's upper levels.
Tip #2 -- Play Up Your Basement's Advantages
Basements can be cold and dark, two reasons many of us stay out of them. Turns out, these features can actually be great advantages. Turning part of your basement into a game room can give you and your kids a great place to hang out on hot summer days. All that dark can be ideal for a home theater. And why not put that perfect lighting and temperature to good use in a swanky wine cellar?
Tip #3 -- Mind Your Basement's Pitfalls
Basements aren't without their genuine challenges, for instance flooding. If your basement is prone to water problems, consider waterproof flooring options and take care before moving your expensive entertainment center downstairs.
Tip #4 -- Don't Be Afraid of Unconventional Uses
Recreation rooms, storage areas, televisions rooms…they're all common uses for basements. When you're making your basement remodeling plans, don't be afraid to get a little crazy. A kitchen and formal dining room downstairs? Might work with the right arrangements. A serene master bedroom in the basement? Don't mind if I do.
About the Author:
Dawn West teaches writing at Oregon State University. Her previous experience includes working for the Community Development Venture Capital Alliance, a not-for-profit in New York City, and serving as the director for an educational program for at-risk youth in Boston. Dawn holds a B.A. in English from Harvard University.
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