Most homes have basements. Not all, but many of them do. It seems as though most of these basements are either left completely unfinished (and money is lost heating them) or are poorly finished rec rooms or storage areas. People will spend thousands of dollars renovating every area of their home, but ignore the huge, ready-to-use space and potential beneath their main floor.
This doesn't have to be the case!
Basements can be made beautiful. Windows can be cut in. Floors can be dry. Bathrooms and kitchens can be bright. Take advantage of the concrete insulated walls, and the cost effective use of space.
My wife and I bought a 1960's rancher with a dark, poorly finished basement a year ago. We decided to completely gut the basement and re-do it. We cut in larger windows, added an exit to the outside (which involved some excavating and retaining walls) and developed a cute little 600 square foot basement suite, and kept 600 square feet for ourselves (1 bedroom, storage room, bathroom, laundry room and rec room).
BEFORE
AFTER
Instead of throwing together an illegal, dark and unsafe suite, we did it properly: new walkway and parking, in-suite laundry, new electrical and plumbing and sound insulation between floors. We've had it rented out for a year, and love it.
Don't ignore the bottom half (or third) of your house. If you're thinking about renovating, think about your basement. Here are a few common projects for basements:
- Media/ TV room
- Basement suite
- Kids play room/ Rec Room
- Wine cellar
- Fitness room or home gym
- spare bedrooms
- home office.
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