Transform Your Basement

 

Need more living space? First look to your basement! That dark and dreary storage room is just looking to be reinvented! Finishing or remodeling a basement can be inspired by many different desires –the need for a home office, a playroom, a fitness center, or an extra bedroom, for example. Try these ideas to turn your basement from a cold, gloomy afterthought into a warm, inviting centerpiece.

Game Room: When it comes to transforming your basement into a game room, the possibilities are truly endless, and it’s not just the younger members of the family that enjoy game rooms. Having a dedicated game room can really encourage the whole family to get together and have some fun rather than be stuck in front of the TV all evening not socializing. If you aren’t working with a lot of space, you can’t go wrong with a dart board and a small air hockey table that doesn’t require lots of gaming space. If you have the entire basement, anything you want to work with is an option! Just remember, good lighting is the key in any basement atmosphere!

Theater Room:As the prices of wide-screen and high-definition TVs, DVDs, and surround sound speakers become more affordable, home theaters are now an option for even the most modest of finished basements. Although a dedicated room creates more of a home theater atmosphere, a larger space can get the job done as well, as it depends on careful space planning and layout more than anything else. The basement disadvantage of poor lighting becomes a plus, because too much natural lighting can cause bothersome glares and reflections. Remember that it’s not uncommon to spend multiple hours watching a movie, so it is important to choose furniture with adequate support, and don’t forget the end and coffee tables where drinks and snacks are easily accessible.

Home Gym: For many, a trip to the local gym is just another stop in your already jam-packed day. Having your own home gym will allow you to exercise and sweat like a pig in privacy, plus it is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Before running out and buying all the latest equipment, take into consideration the space limitations of the equipment you want, and keep in mind that many pieces need additional space while they are being used. Another thing to take into consideration is the finish of the floor. Because you may be spending some time exercising on the floor, you want to make sure the floor is durable, easy to clean, and soft. Vinyl, linoleum, cork, and rubber are the best choices, and you will want to stay away from carpet, because although it is soft and absorbs noise, it also absorbs water and is hard to clean.

This article can also be viewed in the August 2012 issue of Pastelle Magazine or online at www.PastelleMagazine.com.