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Basement Remodeling Tips for a Successful Conversion
by Jane Smallman
Jane.Smallman@hqpublications.com
Senior Home Improvement Columnist
Have you ever thought how nice it would be to have more space for that essential office, playroom or TV area? Well, what about your basement? With some thoughtful remodeling you can engineer its conversion from an underused area into a comfortable, functional, and attractive room.
If you want to turn your basement into an area that you and your family will really be happy to use, you need to take some care over its conversion; the more thought you put into its remodeling now, the more likely you are to create a room that will fulfill all the functions you need it to.
The following basement remodeling tips will give you some ideas of what you should be thinking about before you start your basement conversion.
Remodeling Tips for a Successful Basement Conversion
- Ceiling. Suspended ceilings used to be very popular for basement conversion but they are now out of fashion. Other ceiling solutions (e.g. a tray ceiling) are better quality and better looking.
- Light. Try to get in as much as possible; use exterior windows, light tubes, and other creative lighting solutions.
- Stairs. If your basement has an enclosed stairwell, open it up. Where possible extend the upstairs banister downstairs; this will help to link the two levels together.
- Doorways. Widening doorways wherever possible should be an important part of your remodeling plan; this gives a feeling of space and air. Partially glazed doors can be a useful way of letting in extra light.
- Heat. If you want your basement conversion to be a real success don't forget about heating: no matter how much thought you put into remodeling nobody will want to use your newly converted space if it feels cold and damp.
- Décor. The basement can be a naturally dark space so use light colors to brighten it up.
About the author
Jane Smallman runs a mountain guiding business with her husband. Her early training was in hotel management and she has worked in the hotel industry in France, Holland, the US and the UK. Following this she worked in an administrative capacity for a number of not-for-profit organizations in the UK, including the International Planned Parenthood Federation and the Refugee Legal Centre. While doing this she earned a degree in Social Sciences through distance learning with the Open University. After graduation she progressed to the University of Sussex as a full-time student where she was awarded a Masters Degree in Social and Political Thought.
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