Some Simple Upgrades – Although currently dimly lit and a little rough on the eyes, your unfinished basement still has a lot of potentials. With just a little love and the help of the following ideas, you can spice it up in no time and get some great use out of the space.
- Add a pop of color: Give your basement a whole different look without a big renovation by adding some color to space. Consider painting and sealing the floors, opening up the room by painting the rafters white or a light color, or creating a bold accent wall.
- Divide the space: Want to make your basement a multi-use room? Partition out the area by installing an inexpensive curtain system. This can be done either with a curtain track or a simple wire, some hooks, and curtains will suffice.
- Add foam mats: Whether you’d like to use the basement as a home gym to get a quick workout in or a place for the kids to play and rough-house, adding some foam mats into the mix is a great and easy solution. They come in various colors and can quickly be picked up and tucked away if need be.
- Use a large rug: As an alternative to adding mats, find a large, eye-catching rug to be used as a focal point, and furnish the area around it.
- Add lighting: Basements often offer very little built-in lighting and few outlets around the room. Consider stringing café lighting across space from the rafters to give a nice ambiance and glow without any difficult electrical work.
More extensive upgrades, remodels or makeovers – Here are some ideas that might interest you:
- Extra bedroom: If you have a new addition to the family, or guests staying over frequently, an extra bedroom is always valued. But don’t forget the windows – let the sun shine in.
- Extra bathroom: If you have guests staying over frequently, an extra bathroom is always appreciated. You can install a toilet and sink in your unfinished basement to create an extra bathroom.
- Guest suite: If you have guests staying over frequently, an extra bedroom is always appreciated. You can install drywall and carpeting in your unfinished basement to create an extra bedroom.
- Home office or craft room: An unfinished basement is also the perfect place for a home office or craft room. You can set up your desk and computer or sewing machine in the space.
- Relaxing den or fun game room: An unfinished basement is also the perfect place for a relaxing den or fun game room. You can add comfortable seating like couches or bean bags and install a TV or gaming system.
- Pantry for non-perishables and supplies: Use your unfinished basement as additional pantry space for your dry goods, non-perishable items and household supplies. But you just need to do some preparations first. Do a complete basement cleanout. And treat the entire basement for mice, insects, etc. so that you can feel confident storing food there.
- Home theater: An unfinished basement is also the perfect place for a home theater. You can install comfortable seating like recliners or couches and add a projector or large screen TV.
- Home gym: An unfinished basement is the perfect place for a home gym. You can install rubber flooring or interlocking foam tiles to create a comfortable workout space. Add some mirrors and equipment like weights or resistance bands.
- Woodworking workshop: If you enjoy building furniture, you can use your unfinished basement as a woodworking shop. Since it’s probably a blank canvas (no valuable furniture, unfinished floor), you can feel free to cut wood and make a really big mess while working on your next project! Hang pegboard where you can store your tools.
- Photography studio: If you’re a photographer or blogger, an unfinished basement can serve as a place to take perfectly lit photos. You can set up backdrops and lighting equipment to create the perfect shot.
- Dance studio: If you’re into dancing, an unfinished basement can be transformed into a dance studio. Install a sprung floor (a floor that has some give to it) and add some mirrors to create the perfect space for practicing your moves.
Remodeling or upgrading your unfinished basement can be a great way to add value to your home. I hope these ideas help!
