Finishing your basement can be exactly what your house needs to gain more living space, become more functional, and truly transform into the home of your dreams. You can choose to create an additional bathroom, bedroom, entertaining space, or even build an exceptional storage area that helps you to clear clutter from the rest of the house. But before you go rushing into the renovation, it’s wise to take a step back and ensure you’re following all the best advice.
Here’s a look at some tips and advice straight from the experts when it comes to finishing your basement.
Ensure the Basement Is Waterproofed
One of the last things you want to do is spend money on finishing the basement and getting it exactly how you want only to then end up with water damage during the first big storm of the season. Unfortunately, water damage and leaks aren’t unheard of in a basement. If you have had water leaks in the past, then it is bound to happen again.
Be sure to look into water damage restoration and waterproofing from a reputable company such as Superior Basement Water Control & Remodeling. The company will ensure that all unwelcome moisture is remedied and that your basement is properly waterproofed so you won’t need to worry about future leaks. This means the money you invest in the basement renovation project won’t go to waste down the road thanks to water damage.
An Open Layout Is Usually Best
As you work on the layout, experts tend to recommend going open plan. When you start dividing the space into rooms that are closed off from each other, the space can end up feeling closed in, small, and compartmentalized with no cohesive flow. Even if you don’t want a completely open space, try to use as few dividing walls and doors as possible.
For basements that don’t have a lot of natural light, an open layout will also help to keep it as bright as possible.
The Color Palette Will Have a Huge Effect
Just as the color palette has a big effect on the rest of the home, the same can be said for the basement. In general, experts tend to recommend lighter, more airy color palettes that keep the space feeling fresh, open and modern. This doesn’t mean you have to steer away from color, it just means you may want to pick lighter shades that are a bit muted and soft.
If you’re set on adding bright pops, you can do so through décor such as artwork, throw pillows and blankets, a small area rug, and so forth.
The Flooring Is More than Just Aesthetics
When choosing the flooring, you want to pick a material that you like, but it also needs to be practical for the basement space. Maybe you’re drawn to hardwood for the basement. The problem with this material choice is that basements are notoriously damp and wood doesn’t do well in this kind of climate. You can still get the look of hardwood by using laminate, which can handle the dampness much better.
As for other smart common flooring choices, you may want to look into tiles. This floor type is easy to keep clean, but it doesn’t exactly create a cozy vibe. Carpeting can be great for warming up the space but is notorious for trapping dirt and dust, so it will require upkeep.
Before you lay any type of flooring, you also need to figure out what sort of subflooring preparation is needed. This will depend on your basement elevation, the moisture and humidity level, and the flooring material itself.
Do You Need Storage Space?
An unfinished basement often ends up being the catch-all for the house, meaning all the odds and ends get stored in the basement out of the way, and out of sight. Now that you want to finish the space, it’s important to think about where all that “stuff” will go. Adding functional storage space to your plan is typically a wise idea. This storage may be in a separate closed-off room or incorporated into the design. One thing to remember is that you can never have too much storage space, so you can’t go overboard.
Use a Variety of Lighting Options
Finally, you want to be sure you’ve got plenty of light in the basement, which should include a variety of options. Overhead lighting, table lamps, floor lamps, recessed lighting and pendant lights are all popular options and typically the best solution is to use a combination of a few. If you install any kind of recessed or overhead lighting, you may also want to install a dimmer switch, giving you more control over the amount of light you have.
Using all of the above tips and advice will help ensure that your basement renovation is a huge success and that you’re able to create the space of your dreams.