The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated logos identify professional services rendered by REALTOR® members of CREA to effect the purchase, sale and lease of real estate as part of a cooperative selling system.
The trademarks MLS®, Multiple Listing Service® and the associated logos identify professional services rendered by REALTOR® members of CREA to effect the purchase, sale and lease of real estate as part of a cooperative selling system.
If you intend to turn your basement into a more useable or well-designed space, you will have to invest time and money into it. The average cost of renovating a basement in Canada can be anywhere between $30 to $60 per square foot. But that’s if you’re getting a professional contractor for an up-haul. You can always choose the DIY route and redo the basement on your own or as a family project. Let’s get into the renovation ideas without further ado.
Although one of the more followed choices when it comes to converting a basement, having a man cave doesn’t necessarily mean throwing in a bunch of lounging chairs and a widescreen TV. It takes time and thought into customizing it for your own comfort and preferences. You should first start by establishing a theme for your space, whether to center it around sports, movies, or other hobbies and interests. You’d need to prep the walls, ceilings, and floors to match the theme. Usually, homeowners like to have a separate drinking bar, gaming zone, mini golf course, or a home theatre system (with extra seating arrangements) in their man caves. You can have different themes for the furniture style as well, e.g., you could go with rich mahogany finishes to more neon, sparkly fixtures.
Having a child-friendly space inside the basement is a great way to set aside a dedicated play area for the kids. You can purchase and set up games like a football table, a bear claw machine, or a mini bowling alley. Another popular option would be to create a gaming console for children with the latest gadgets and paraphernalia. Be sure to child-proof all areas of the basement to avoid accidents and injuries, especially if you have toddlers or young kids running around the basement. You might also want to replace the tiles and furniture with a theme and colours that your children would love to surround themselves with.
If you’re working from home more often than working from an office or any other location, it’s a perfectly sensible idea to turn your basement into an office for you and your partner together (although it doesn’t have to be made for two). This lessens your distractions as opposed to when you’re working out of the living room or the bedroom. It also offers you enough space to walk around and take breaks. You could consider having a yoga mat, a massage chair, or a lounging area when you want to take a long break before spinning the productivity wheels again. Get a comfortable table with an ergonomic chair, set up a vision board, or decorate the basement with thematic wallpapers and souvenirs along with the necessary gadgets for work. Get the electrical wiring and furnishings done before starting work. It’s also advisable to have a mini kitchenette and a bathroom installed for when you have to work long hours. The idea is to make it as conducive to focus and concentration as possible.
You can transform your basement into a family room for all. In that, each family member gets to have a piece of equipment or a designated area for just them which they can decorate as per their choice. You can install a good home theatre system with family seating styles, put together a bunch of board games and DIY stations or choose a family hobby like pottery making, or other arts and crafts. Having a separate hot tub bath or sauna is also a good idea to make the space equally attractive and usable for all family members. Another idea is to set up a library/ study space for children in the basement with soundproofed walls. You’d have to get shelves and cabinets for books, but nothing beats a cozy library for everyone to spend some quiet time alone in the house.
It only takes a little imagination and motivation to create basement renovation ideas, but it’s more challenging to implement the ideas into action. And that’s where the fun is!