Maximizing Your Basement Space: Fully Use Your Home

Don’t pay for something you aren’t using. Modern homeowners do not fully utilize their basement space. Used for cluttered storage or exclusively for laundry, your basement yearns for purpose. Give it one! With intentional planning, smart design choices, and a personal touch, you can transform your basement into a space that you don’t avoid visiting. Scare those basement monsters away! 

Create more living space, a home office, or even a space to entertain guests or kids. Here are our tips on where to get started on utilizing your basement.

Determine the Purpose of Your Basement

The first choice, before any renovation, is what you intend to use your basement for. This can be a daunting decision. Choose something multipurpose that is suited to your household. Our main goal with basement renovation is to make the space function as an extension of your home, but having a direction helps guide renovations to your liking. Common purposes include the previously mentioned extra living space, a game room, or a specialized storage space.

Knowing the primary function of your basement will help you plan your design, layout, and budget accordingly. 

1. Make it Functional

Account for Humidity: Moisture and temperature control are critical in basements. To ensure your renovations will last into the future, accommodate for insulation and waterproofing efforts, and make choices to combat humidity. 

Select materials with moisture in mind. Use waterproof paint or even wall panels. When choosing flooring, aim for hard flooring such as tile or sealed concrete, as carpeting has a heightened chance of trapping moisture or even potentially mold. Install lush carpeting on the upper floors of your home. In your basement, prioritize moisture control.

To further dissuade humidity accumulation, have your basement evaluated for proper insulation and adapt accordingly. Seal any cracks in your foundation and add missing insulation to walls and floors to keep water out and heat in. Foam board insulation is a great option for moisture resistance. For extra security in flood-prone areas, look into if installing a sump pump would be a good option for you.

Maximize Lighting: Keep water out, let light in. Basements aren’t typically built with natural light in mind. To keep the space bright and friendly, proper lighting is crucial. Keep your space inviting and comfortable. Recessed lighting, lights set into your ceiling, can save space and evenly light the room. Get those dark corners out of here! If you’re looking for a more layered feel, floor and table lamps are great options. Of course, nothing is better than natural lighting. If it's possible, check out basement windows or even a walk-out entrance.

2. Make it Personalized

Optimize Storage and Organization: Use your space well. Basements are an almost universal space to put your spare items. But are they stored well? When renovating for storage, consider what you are storing and why it is kept there. Install wall-mounted shelving to keep items off of the floor. Utilize hidden storage solutions, such as ottomans, to make the space multi-functional. Put storage where space wouldn’t otherwise be used, such as under the stairs. Clutter-free functionality is invaluable for storage and well worth working with a designer to accomplish. 

Soundproofing for Privacy: Keep noise where it belongs. If your basement is finding new life as a game room, home office, or guest suite, soundproofing is a great investment to provide everyone in the home with peace. Properly sealed gaps around doors and windows go a long way. In addition, acoustic panels and thick rugs can absorb sound. We still don’t advise fully installing carpet due to moisture, but a nice rug can go a long way while being easier to replace should humidity increase!

Style It Like the Rest of Your Home: Tie the space into your home. It can be easy to consider your basement as a separate space, but intentional design can create a warm and cozy space to spend your time in. Personalize the space, and add touches that make it your basement. It doesn’t take much to make it feel welcoming.

Match it with the feel of your home. Match paint colors, decorative elements, artwork—anything! If your basement feels cold and uninviting, prioritize comfort. Add area rugs to hard flooring (also great for soundproofing!), opt for warmer colors, and ensure you're stocked up on throw pillows and blankets. 

If you want to keep your basement as a storage area, make it a good one. If you’d like to expand your home, we hope we’ve helped you see that it is possible. Your basement has so much potential! Find a cozy retreat, a space to entertain, or a new place to work. Thoughtful planning and design can transform any space. Stop underutilizing your home. By maximizing lighting, choosing the right flooring, and incorporating your personal style, you can create a basement that enhances your home.