Turn your dark and dreary basement into a beautiful living space you will love! Finished basements can add quality living space to your home, especially when they are well planned and thought out. This area is great for an additional family room, rec room, play area, home gym, or even an office space. Not only will a finished basement give you and your family more space, but it also can boost the value of your home. If you are considering finishing or updating your basement, here are a few tips to help give it a warm and inviting makeover.
Keep it Dry
Before you start adding anything to your basement, you should ensure it is dry and stays that way. Basements naturally tend to draw moisture, but there are things you can do to help combat this. Consult a professional before doing any work in your basement. They can tell you what improvements you need to make such as checking your drainage, installing a sump pump and other improvements. Ask us about all the ways we help ensure your basement is kept dry.
Insulate Well
Insulation is key to turning your cold, damp basement into a comfortable living space. Take the time to insulate the exterior walls of your basement. This will help keep the area warmer and also help prevent condensation from forming when temperatures change. Trapped condensation can lead to mildew and mold. Don’t skip this crucial step when you are finishing your basement.
Choose Your Layout
It will be easier to plan your space if you have a general idea of what you want to use the space for now and in the future. Do you want all the space to be used for one thing or will it be multipurpose? Do you have large enough space to create separate rooms? Or do you want to keep an open layout? Consider an open layout to help keep the space from feeling enclosed. With already lower ceilings and less natural light, adding several walls intensifies the feeling of being closed off. Choose to add walls only where necessary and define space with rugs and furniture. This also gives you flexibility should your needs change.
Light Up the Room
Natural lighting in the basement is usually very limited, this makes artificial lighting a crucial part of your design. Creating a light, airy and warm space is largely dependent on having well thought out lighting. Layering different types of lighting can help you define your areas and prevent shadows and dark areas. At Rockford Homes, we know that lighting is important and we partner with lighting professionals to help create the right light and ambiance in all areas of your home.
Choosing Colors
Warm and neutral colors are perfect for creating a comfortable and cozy space. All white walls can sometimes be too stark and cold, instead choosing creams and other neutrals will warm the space and still keep things bright. Bold and dark colors make great accent colors in the basement when used sparingly. Dark colors on the walls make the space feel small, dark, and enclosed. Keep wall colors and large pieces of furniture light and warm and opt for using bold colors to add flair in rugs, pillows, and other smaller items.
Create Storage
When transforming your basement into a living space, you also lose some of your valuable storage space. There are many creative ways to incorporate storage into your decor so that it will be both functional and attractive. Ask your contractor about the possibility of adding closets and small storage spaces into the basement design. Built in shelving and cabinetry are also great choices for solving this issue. Many furniture designs provide inventive storage solutions as well. Having a warm and inviting living space and all the storage you need to keep organized will be the best of both worlds.
