Before you start work on your basement, you should ask yourself if you really need one, while basements can add value to a home, they aren’t necessarily necessary. In fact, some people prefer to live in apartments over houses with unfinished basements because of the limited square footage and the high cost of finishing a basement.
You Can Add Space
Unfinished basements can be turned into living areas with the addition of a few finishing touches, you can use your unfinished basement for anything from a family room to an exercise room. In some cases, you might even be able to turn one or two of the rooms into bedrooms for your children or grandchildren, either way, finishing a basement will give you more living space in your home.
You Can Turn an Attic Into a Second Living Area
If you decide not to finish your basement and you have an attic, consider turning that attic into a second living space, a finished attic can be just as useful as a finished basement, especially if it is insulated and heated.
You Can Finish the Basement Without Cramped Walls
The basement is going to be cramped and dark with the same dimensions on all sides, you need to address this issue before you start any work on finishing the basement.
You can install finished walls that are free-standing so they don’t take up any extra space, this will give the room an open floor plan feel, which is much more desirable than a cramped feeling basement also consider solid wood or dry-wall panels for your walls.
You Can Turn an Unwanted Basement into a Home Office
If you have an office job but are looking for a little more space to work, you might want to consider finishing your basement, you can turn your unwanted basement into a home office for the cost of finishing it.
The square footage of a finished basement is typically double that of an unfinished one and is often worth the investment.
You Can Finish the Basement and Use It As a Theater
One of the best reasons to finish your basement is for entertaining, you can make the space into a theater or media room, which will provide ample area for family and friends to come over and enjoy movies or sports events all you need is a projector screen and a few couches.
The more people you invite over, the more likely it is that someone will spill something on the floor, it’s best to use carpeting in this area as well because it can be easily vacuumed without worrying about damaging any flooring material like tile.
If you do have hardwood or tiled floors in this area, try putting down some area rugs so that people don’t slip on them while they walk around during an event and if you want some extra lighting in this area, consider installing recessed lights above the couch to illuminate the entire room.
If there are kids in your house and they happen to have friends who sleepover, there needs to be enough sleeping space for their friends as well.
You should install bunk beds in this area so they have plenty of sleeping space while they stay overnight with your children.
To complete the look, add curtains to cover the windows so that no one can see into your space from outside when it’s being used as a theater or media room
