8 Finished Basement Ideas To Motivate & Inspire The Change You Need In Your Basement

Sometimes basements just start to collect things. All the unwanted stuff that you haven’t wanted to show to other people has slowly become the “stuff” that fills every corner in your basement. This is especially true if you haven’t finished your basement.

It’s never a “bad” thing to have a basement full of stuff. Sometimes it’s just what you have to do to get the rest of the house organized. But, if you’re tired of your basement being a catch-all and you want to do something cool with all that space, then this is the blog for you.

We’re going to be looking at some fantastic ideas to turn your unfinished or unused basement into one of the coolest spots in your house.

Let’s jump in!

What Do You Want Out Of Your Basement?

Before we get too far, we must ask ourselves this question. What do we want to do with our basement? There are so many different directions that we can go when we’re revamping a space that we have to know what type of style and feel we’re going for.

For example, a basement could take on a theme different than that of the rest of your house, or it could be a kid’s playroom. Whatever it ends up being, you want to love it so that you feel like you’re getting the most out of the space and so that you’re proud of it and can show it off to all of your friends.

Preparing for the Project

Before you can start renovating, it’s crucial to do a thorough inspection of the space to ensure that there is no water damage. After you’ve checked the interior walls and floors, you’re going to want to take a look outside at the foundation of the house to make sure that it’s in good shape. The main thing you want to look for is cracks in the concrete that would let water in. One last place to check is your gutters and watershed areas. Just make sure that the water is going away from your house.

If, by chance, you found any water damage, then it would be good to schedule an inspection with a professional contractor to assess the damage. 

1. Basement Kitchens and Bars

Who doesn’t want to have a small kitchen or bar in their basement? Adding something like this can create a considerable amount of value and turns the space into a great hangout spot. Sometimes the thing that scares people away from kitchen and bar remodels the most is the price point and a lack of inspiration within the space they have.

The best part about adding a bar or kitchen is that you can take it any direction you’d like. From modern and sleek designs to cozy and homestyle. From coke and beer memorabilia to full-on floor to ceiling wine racks, a bar can be taken any direction you want it to go. That’s why it’s a great addition to your remodel project and can be a focal point in the space overall.

2. Use Furniture, Decor, + Wall Color to Set the Tone

No doubt, there is likely some furniture and decor in every room throughout your house. Even an unfinished basement might have old chairs or a table that you couldn’t bring yourself to throw away.

The reality is that the furniture and decor you choose for a room can dramatically change the experience that is offered. You’ve probably been in one of those basements that has natural wood panels on the walls and grandpas old plaid patterned couch. There’s nothing wrong with basements like this, but most likely, you want a space that is more engaging and not quite as nostalgic.

Here’s an article breaking down some of the design trends for 2020 that are sure to help inspire you the next time you go looking for furniture.

The last thing to think about is colors for your walls. It can be tricky, and often we revert to white as the tried and true. Here are some more unique 2020 color trends.

3. Guest Bedroom

If you don’t already have a guest bedroom in your home, the basement can be the perfect place to add one. The best part about having a guest bedroom in the basement is that it’s completely separate from the rest of the house. You won’t have to worry about your guests not feeling at home because they’ll have their bedroom and bathroom to use for the duration of their stay.

You might think to yourself, “I’ve never had any guests in my home for the night.” If that’s you, then that’s okay. Maybe you wouldn’t often have a guest often or ever, but by adding a basement to your home, you can increase your resale value dramatically and also open up your home to more potential buyers.

4. Home Office

If you’ve been feeling a lack of productivity at home or you’re just sick of working on bills at the kitchen table, then adding a home office might be the perfect thing for you.

One of the best parts about adding a home office is that the project can be straightforward. All you need is a desk, chair, and some inspiring quotes, right? That can be right, but there are a lot of things that you can do to make the space feel just right. Something really popular lately is creating a modern feel to the classic desk space. Incorporating nice lighting, good wall colors, and even some windows for natural light (if possible) can make a home office one of the favorite spaces in your home.

5. Add a Fireplace

If you don’t already have a cozy space in your home, then you might think about adding a fireplace to your basement. With the modern options of gas and electric fireplaces, you can add them to almost any space.

Having a fireplace can also help you heat your basement, and if you can purchase an efficient model, you might even find yourself saving some money on the heating bill every month.

6. Entertainment Center + Game Room

Something that has become more and more popular throughout the digital age is entertainment centers. Often, these spaces are located in the basements because there fewer windows, which means less glare on your tv screen and the opportunity to use a projector.

If you do decide to go the route of a digital entertainment center, the possibilities are almost endless. From crazy virtual reality systems to the perfect spot to watch the big game, these spaces never seem to disappoint.

Within the idea of entertainment, you might consider a family game room. Playing games with the family is a great pass time and a great way to build relationships with friends as well.

The last thing along the lines of entertainment/game room is adding a space for a pool table or ping-pong table. A pool table can bring an awesome vibe to your space and really can fit nicely within the bar vibe. You can even add a chandelier over it to complete the esthetic. Just make sure that if you put a pool or ping-pong table in that there is an ample amount of space around them to enjoy playing without hitting any walls.

7. Library

A library isn’t just for the book worm type. It can also be perfect for those who might work as teachers, professors, or a great addition to a home office both for looks and usefulness.

When considering a library, try to think about how you can incorporate different elements such as furniture, a fireplace, and possibly lighting or some natural light to help complete the perfect reading space. Libraries can be very inspiring spaces, and no doubt will add some positive energy to your space.

8. Gym

One of the significant benefits of having a home gym is the money that you’re going to save in a gym membership. Some gyms cost upwards of $30 a month. That might not seem like a lot, but after five years, that’s $1,800. Why not put that money into the value of your home by creating a workout space.

Pro-tip: If you have a basement home gym and basement kitchen or bar, include a blender to make some high-energy smoothies after your workouts!

What We Offer

At Treasured Spaces, we want to help you get the full potential out of every space in your home. Whether you’re doing a kitchen, bathroom, or basement, we’re here to help. We’ve done several basement remodel projects, here’s a link to a blog post with some before and after pictures.

If you’ve felt inspired to do something with your unused basement space, drop a comment below or reach out to us. We’re always excited to answer any questions you might have!