Basement Finishing Plans

Gone are the days when the basement’s only purpose is for storage space. You can’t believe how beautiful and functional your basement can be. Yes you would have to shell out a considerable amount of money but think of it as an investment that will definitely add value to your home.

Before starting with the actual work, you need to have a basement finishing plan, this will serve as your guide in doing the project. The first thing that you have to decide on is what you will use your basement for. Here are some of the most popular basement finishing plans:

1.) Basement Bar - If you’re the type of person who likes having friends come over for drinks then having a bar right in your home is a great idea. You can either buy a ready-made bar or hire a carpenter to build you one to make it more personalized.

A bar unit can cost anywhere between $185 and $600. Complete the look by buying bar stools. Martini shakers, wine glasses, beer dispensers can also be added to your list. You can include other furniture in your basement as well like comfortable couches and chairs. You can also set up a poker table so the guys can play and drink at the same time. Your hubby is going to love you for this!

2.) Basement Bedroom/Kids’ Room – If you’re always picking up toys all around the house, then you might consider putting the kids’ room to the basement. This way, you won’t have to worry about stumbling on toys and other stuff and besides the basement will give your kids enough room to play. It will also free up one of the room upstairs. This is one of the basement finishing plans that I really like.

3.) Basement Theater/Movie Room – Since the basement lacks natural light, why not take advantage of it and convert it into a movie room. You don’t have to worry about soundproofing because you can easily do this by installing acoustical ceiling. You can ask your contractor how to get rid of that echoing sound in your basement.

Complete the look by purchasing the same seats that they use in theaters. Huge movie wall posters and wall lights can easily be installed to complete the look. It will be more fun if you will have a popcorn maker in the movie room.

DIY Basement Remodeling – Do It Yourself Basement Remodeling Guide

Planning a do-it-yourself basement remodeling project? Want to add a family room, basement bar, or entertainment room to your basement? Perhaps an additional bedroom in your basement? Take time to read these 5 tips for the best results on your DIY basement remodeling.

The Do it Yourself Basement Remodeling Guide

There are certain basic thing to remember when you plan to do a do it yourself basement remodeling. It is good to remodel your basement according to how it is going to be used. It will also allow you to enhance the appearance of the basement itself.

1. What are you going to use the basement for?

Planning for a do it yourself basement remodeling, should always begin with deciding what you are going to turn the basement into. Is it going to be a play room for the kids or a wine cellar? Will you be adding a bathroom or a fire place?

2. Fix any existing problems.

Existing problems in your basement should be remedied at this point. Make sure that your basement is free from leaks. Check the walls and the foundation for any cracks or holes. Make sure that you seal the cracks and fill in the holes properly. If not, all your hard work will be destroyed by water or moisture that leaks in. The foundation should also be in top shape. Make sure that it is not bowed.

3. Make sure that the basement is insulated and well heated.

Check the existing furnace if it is able to heat the basement efficiently. If not, you should probably consider replacing it or adding another one. Insulating your walls will also help in keeping the basement warm. Some companies offer electric floor heating that will not only keep the room warmer but will also fight off the growth of mold and mildew. You may also add a fire place to help in maintaining a warm room temperature but make sure that it is compatible with how your basement is going to be utilized.

4. Design your basement.

Design your basement according to its use. If it will be a recreational room, bring down that home-theater system. If you will use it as a workshop, put shelves and cabinets to store your tools. A painting studio will definitely need natural light. Add windows. For a kids play room, choose bright colors and make sure that the room is kid-friendly. The visual design of your basement will depend on your personal style.

5. Don’t forget the lights.

Adding windows to a basement that is partially above ground is a good way to let natural light in. Regardless of having basement windows or not, it is important that you also put artificial lights in your basement. Strategically place the lights around the room. Choose from different kinds and sizes of lights that match your basement design.

These do it yourself basement remodeling tips will definitely turn any dark and old basement into a bright and lively room that is going to add another exceptional room to your home.

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Basement Remodeling – Extreme Basement Makeovers

Your basement probably has more square footage than any other room in your home – why not do an extreme make over on your basement? A simple basement remodeling project can make that basement into a great family room, basement bar and entertainment area – or an office. There are loads of great ideas for that no unused basement area. Read on for some extreme basement make over ideas.

Basement Makeovers

The basement is frequently the room that has the most square footage in a home. Yet, basements are frequently not always very welcoming. They can be dim and have dank and frequently they are simply treated as extra storage space. However, you can do much more with your basement than using it as a place to keep things. What is pleasant about a basement is that it can be your private space to do whatever you like. Be creative and come up with something you’d like to add to your home that can be completed in the basement.

A basement can be an exceptional location to store food. There is not much light in a basement, which is excellent for food. Having your own pantry can be very convenient. Another option is to store wine in your basement. What is enjoyable about this idea is that you can choose your favorite wines and then permit them to ferment in a spot in your home where they will not be disturbed. If you are one of the many home brew masters who like to make their own beverages, you can organize your basement to fit this purpose.

Basements can be a great escape for teenagers too, who are often happy to be in seclusion and enjoy having their own area where they can spend time with their friends and play video games. They’re also a great place for teen bashes. Being underground, they’re a lot less likely to disturb the neighbors. So why not fit out your basement appropriately with an upscale sound system and a luxury plasma television? This is a great way to make your kids content, and the envy of the neighborhood.

If you decide to go ahead and put a sound system in your basement, why not take it one step further and add a projector and perhaps some media chairs? This will convert your basement into a home cinema. You have the room you need to do a home theater right in a basement, and you also have the restricted light that is essential for this kind of room. This way you can turn your basement into a practical space that you and your friends will enjoy for years to come.

If you take pleasure in creative things like photography, a basement also works well as a darkroom. That way you can develop your own photos. You’ll have to make sure that you have an entrance that can be restricted or has some sort of system to make sure that your darkroom is not entered at the wrong moment. You may want to also add some benches to use as a workspace. You can also add lines to hang photos to dry on. One thing you will have to do is consider the best way to add ventilation to your basement to make sure you are not breathing any harmful fumes. No matter what course you take with your basement, make sure it suits you and what you enjoy doing.

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Basement Bar Ideas – What About The Ceiling Of The Basement?

A Basement Ceiling Home Makeover

When I helped by buddy redo his basement, he wasn’t sure what the best type of ceiling to use would be. Some of the choices available were traditional drywall, tongue and groove boards, acoustic ceiling tiles, and a drop-type ceiling. We didn’t know which to choose, so we looked at each type a little closer.

A drywall ceiling would be a lot of work. Almost all of the pipes and ductwork would have to be rerouted to fit into joint cavities or out to the edges of the room. If there were still things hanging below the bottom of the ceiling joists, we’d have to build boxes around them. Wherever we needed extra strength, we’d have to nail up furring strips.

In using a drywall ceiling it’s important to use the furring and framed boxes to make a strong backing to hold the finishing materials. Although drywall was a low-cost option, we knew there was still a lot of work after the sheet rock was hung, and we weren’t real excited about it.

Acoustic ceiling tiles are another great option. They are small enough to be easy to handle and cut. Ceiling tiles are installed by stapling them onto furring strips. In order to do that, once again, we’d need to move everything in order to have a flat surface to staple them to.

The next option we considered was T1-11 tongue and groove boards. This project would once again entail moving pipes and ducts, and it was also the most expensive option we looked at. My friend decided that this just wasn’t the look he wanted for his ceiling, so we moved on.

Last on our list was a standard drop ceiling. This is one of the easiest ways to cover ceiling joists, but you still have to cut and hang rails for the ceiling framework, and my friend didn’t like the fact that this type of ceiling looked like it belonged in an old office building, not his newly-decorated basement. Besides, drop ceilings were one of the more expensive options we’d looked at.

We’d worked our way completely through our list, and we still hadn’t come up with a solution. Then, while shopping one day, he noticed the ceiling of the store he were in. It looked just like his basement ceiling, but a whole lot better. He had to ask the owner what they had done to achieve the look. The owner said all they’d done is clean the pipes and ductwork thoroughly, gave them a coat of primer, and used a sprayer to paint the whole works the same color. It looked amazing, and my friend knew he had found his ceiling.

Once we got started our one concern was whether or not we could paint electrical and gas lines. We solved the problem by calling a professional electrician to ask for his opinion. You know, this ceiling was easier to do than any of the other options, and it cost far less, but it looked super. Before trying this option in your own home, make sure to call a professional electrician like we did, just to make sure it’s safe. So I guess the moral of the story is, if you don’t like standard ways of doing things, start thinking outside the box.

Before you start your basement projects, learn more about waterproofing basement products and basement sealing paints.

Small Basement Remodeling Ideas and Tips

Small Basement Remodeling Ideas and Tips

Space is a common housing issue especially in big city living. As the song popularized by Frank Sinatra goes, I want to be a part of it… New York, New York. Most everybody still wants to experience and live through the action of the never-sleeping city. So if you do live in New York, there is still another option to consider other than just learning to live with how things are. The answer to your space crunch lies through looking into the possibilities unused areas has to offer. This makes small basement remodeling one of the best home improvement projects to undertake.

Why small basement remodeling?

O When thinking of adding square footage to your home’s living area, this is a more cost-effective alternative than having a home addition where you would need to extend. This would cost you only a fraction of what you will be spending on the later with most or all of the same features. One of the reasons for the great savings is that the structural necessities are already there like the ceiling, flooring, and walls.

O Another benefit for undertaking a small basement remodeling is the ideal location of the area that promotes fewer hassles posed by home improvement works to the family’s daily living.

O Since the nature of the space is underground; it is typically warm during colder months and cooler on summer. This factor helps you enjoy the small basement remodeling project results with less energy costs.

There are many ways that you could come up with a finish your small basement remodeling and this depends on your personal needs and preferences. The isolation and originally compact masonry of the place makes it ideal to be turned into a home office, playroom for the younger children, game or recreational room, home theatre or an exercise area. Because plumbing is readily available and easily accessible, the area can also excellently make up for a sauna, additional bathroom, or large custom shower. Other popular small basement remodeling ideas include: a wet bar, kitchenette, and additional room for guests.

When we think about our small basements, the most natural thing to come into out minds is their dungeon-like features. To bring out the most in our remodeling project, you can play with certain elements to make the space as inviting, comfortable and more spacious to look at.

O This area would naturally require heavy lighting compared to most areas in the house. You can provide fixtures promoting intense light as well as maximize the use of windows to let in more natural light.

O Carpets have been a popular choice but are you aware that tiles could do better as flooring? Aside from the durability that it offers, it is also low maintenance. As your small basement is prone to moisture and water problems, this would serve as the better alternative. To make up for the hardness and help with the over-all room design, you can also put beautiful area rugs.

O Light paint colors, horizontal designs and diagonal patterns are great in making the small basement remodeling finish seem much wider.

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Home Wet Bars – Home Bar Plans

Building a Wet Bar – Fun and Functional

It used to be that only the elite homes in your neighborhood had a wet bar, they were an extravagant luxury for those who had a little more cash to burn. But now you see homeowners taking it up a notch and installing these bars in a wide variety of middle class homes. If you’re thinking of adding this to your home’s decor, know that you have a wide variety of options, from built in to free standing units, small kitchens all the way up to large entertainment areas.

Some people prefer the bar to be out of the way, an unseen asset to the room that’s mostly hidden. Others would rather dually feature the home theater area and the adjoining wet bar in order to combine the viewing and eating experiences. Whichever you prefer, you’ll want to carefully plan the flow of traffic around the bar, not only walking traffic but where you would put any bar stools for seating. Due to the amount of plumbing involved in the function of a wet bar, it’s not easy to move it if you decide later that you don’t like how things look or function.

A few things you’ll want to consider would be lighting, counter space, room for any appliances (generally not a stove, but definitely a small refrigerator and freezer, sink area, and storage for glasses and standard bar essentials. Some people like to feature their more expensive glassware and alcohol so open cabinet designs are an option. A truly open bar area would be placed away from the wall so the food preparation area is able to view the TV and main seating area. This allows the cook and bartender to be part of the evening’s entertainment as well. Most bars would have a countertop that hangs over enough to allow for 2 to 4 simple bar stools to be placed with plenty of leg room and seating area to have a comfortable place to eat.

Our website focuses on the seating options for wet bars including wooden barstools and leather barstools. For more information please visit the links to our site.

Basement Remodeling Plans – Turn That Boring Room Into a Game Room

More and more people are converting their basements from storage areas into very usable family rooms and game rooms. Basement remodeling plans are sometimes a little more difficult because the sizes of basements and usable space can be a bit tricky. With that said, the advantage of remodeling your basement is the fact that it is going to be used as an additional room and not main living space.

One of the first things you need to do when creating your basement remodeling plans is to decide on a theme that you might want try to and capture with the room. If it’s going to be a game room you might want to think about your favorite college sports team or favorite sport for that matter.

Once you’ve determined the theme and the color scheme that you’re going to be using for your new room you need to start thinking about the décor. Perhaps speaking at a news pinball machine might add a nice touch to the room.

You want to make sure when drawing up your plans that you have an area that will allow you to place the machine, where won’t be a distraction for other activities going on the room.

One trick you may try is to contact a few professionals and have them come out and sketch out some basic basement remodeling plans of what they would do with the basement. There’s no obligation to choose any certain contractor, but by speaking with them and having them sketch out some plans for you in creating a bid. It gives you some great ideas to go on.

Find more helpful remodeling tips by visiting best-home-improvement-projects.com where you will find helpful remodeling tips, advice and resources to include Basement Remodeling Plans.