Basements are often a dark, damp space within the home. They lack natural light, meaning they’re hardly used day-to-day and often overlooked as a useful room. This feels like a complete waste, especially if your basement is large. That’s why you should focus on ways to turn your basement into your favourite room by making it usable all year round.
You’ll need to manage moisture, lighting and the layout to maximise the space’s usage. This can be done in several ways and can give you a good starting point for further developing your basement into a room that you truly love. We’ll explore exactly how this can be done within this guide, so continue reading to start your basement renovation adventure today.
Basement Refurbishment Ideas
Waterproofing
One of the main reasons why basements aren’t good for daily living is that they capture a lot of moisture, leading to a build up of moss and mould. Managing this moisture is important and this can be done by testing your concrete walls. Apply a heavy-duty masonry waterproofing paint and consider installing a dehumidifier to maintain optimal humidity levels. This can give you a more breathable space, so you can spend more time down there throughout the day.
Flooring
You wouldn’t have cold and damp flooring in your living room, so you shouldn’t have it in your liveable basement. Neither should you lay carpet or hardwood directly onto it, as this can cause them to rot. Instead, you should install a raised subfloor system or a lay down vapor barrier topped with sleepers and plywood. This can then be finished with moisture-resistant materials or warm carpeting. Whatever flooring installation you make, it should match your style preferences so that you can have a space that you both enjoy being in and enjoy looking at.
Lighting
Since you’re likely to get no natural light in your basement, you need to find suitable alternatives to get a welcoming atmosphere. LED lighting is a very popular choice for this, as it can give the effect of natural light while helping you to save money on electricity bills. It’s much more affordable than standard lightbulbs, making it a sustainable option.
Comfortability
Making your basement more comfortable will encourage you to spend more time there. Temperatures can fluctuate, so keeping this balanced with HVAC and heating solutions can help to give you a more livable space all year round. You can then get a warmer space for the winter and cooler space for the summer. Decorating your basement with comfortable furniture is also key to enhancing this space, as well as adding comfortability elements like cushions and throws.
Personalisation
You’re not going to fall in love with a space if there isn’t any of your personalised style present. If you want to transform the basement into your favourite room, you should take the time to decorate it with items that mean a lot to you. This can be anything from family heirlooms to photo prints of you and your loved ones. Implementing your favourite colours and textures into your underground retreat can also help you to transform it into a room that you always want to be in.
Interests
If you have any unique interests, having them in your basement can be very beneficial. For example, if you’re into your bar sports like pool and darts, you can transform the basement into your own man cave with all the amenities you could need. Adding a bar to this also gives you a nice social space to enjoy with friends and family. No matter your interest, this is your chance to create your own space away from the hustle and bustle of the rest of the home.
