While it has already been established that basement remodel is one of the great ways to add usable square footage to the home for less, and without having to go through the inconvenience (not to mention probable bigger expense) of actually adding another room; the challenge now is how to go about this particular remodeling project to get much needed living space and simultaneously make the most impact on raising the value of your home.

Basement remodeling needs a thorough and precise plan with plenty of attention to design details to make your basement a part of your home in the real sense rather than just turn this inherently dark area, into nothing more than a glorified storage/cut-up, space. The finished basement should give a sense of added value both in terms of quality living as well as return on investment if you decide to sell the house at some point. From a resale point of view, a poorly designed and haphazardly constructed basement renovation can detract from rather than augment the home’s value. At best, a prospective buyer may take the basement as an insignificant feature; and at worst, would probably factor the cost of having to renovate the basement against the home’s value. It is therefore crucial that you have a clear idea about which basement remodel will most likely give you optimal benefit. Read on and check below (in no particular rank or order), some of the most worthwhile basement remodeling projects.

1.   Family Room – Recreation Room (And More)

Do you need more room for the family’s recreational activities? Or perhaps a play area for the kids? Turning the basement into a family-recreation room combination may just be what your home needs. It’s the perfect spot to set up a home theater or just simply a big-screen TV, stash craft supplies and board games, even place a poker table or pool table. You can make this area more inviting by designing it like you would any other room upstairs. While you’re at it, consider the hobbies and activities of your family to determine the features you want to incorporate. Just remember to design a room that can accommodate a few people or a crowd, especially if you have teenagers in the house that will most likely invite friends to come over (or you may want to invite a few neighbors/friends for a get-together and do your entertaining here). Functional and casual are keywords to keep in mind when designing this type of basement remodeling project; a relaxing and comfortable ambiance is, of course, likewise essential.

2.   Combination Home Office, Library and Study Area

Most companies nowadays are looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint. Green is in, and telecommuting is the prevailing trend as an effective way to adhere to this global campaign. The number of people working from home has burgeoned over the years and home office has become more a necessity rather than luxury; in fact, it is increasingly turning out to be a valuable home feature for many buyers. Converting your unfinished basement into a home office gives you a lot more space for an ergonomic dedicated workstation where you can efficiently and handily spread out your workload, plus you have plenty of room for cabinets to store supplies and documents. You can further maximize functionality by incorporating book shelves to create a library or even a study nook for school-age children. Updated and properly grounded electrical outlets that can accommodate three-pronged plugs are a must, while data ports and phone lines are a huge advantage.

3.   Extra Bath and Bedroom

Just adding a bathroom downstairs and keeping a balanced space fairly open for other (future) remodeling purpose can already increase the value of your home, as is. Besides providing another convenient feature for family use, it is often perceived as designing for the potential buyer’s needs. If you turn your basement into a bedroom-and-bathroom suite for guests, home value can increase even further. The privacy that this type of basement remodeling creates can be quite appealing to teenagers in the family and will likely claim the room as their own private den. It is the perfect solution for spreading out the family while staying together.

4.   Small-scale (But Significant) Renovations 

You may not be quite ready for a full-scale basement remodeling or still undecided about what type of room you want done. You can start with small-scale renovations as prep for final plans, which can still increase home value and marketability.

 

  • Safe yet attractive staircase. Be sure to come up with a design that will go well with your future/other plans for the space. If the stairs are in an inconvenient location, consider moving them to a more suitable spot. Of course, you want your staircase to look great, but safety should be foremost. Make sure that the design you come up with meets all safety code and standard.
  • Create inviting ambiance with finished walls. Basement walls are typically constructed with poured concrete or stacked concrete blocks; reinforcing the impression of the basement as just a secondary space. Enhance these walls and bring the style and polish of the main-floor rooms to the basement. You can simply paint over the concrete or cover it using panels, veneer plywood and poplar boards, or drywall. Make the finish suitable for any future basement purpose.
  • Well-planned doors and windows. Adding or enlarging existing windows will allow more natural light and ventilation in, which can considerably increase enjoyment and comfort when you convert the basement into living space. Adding an exterior door also makes sense, especially if there is a future plan to create a basement bedroom, and serves two objectives at once: convenience to the occupant and compliance with building codes requirement for an emergency exit that directly leads outside.
  • Make the ceilings more appealing. There are three distinct options for finishing your basement ceilings: use suspended or drop ceiling to cover joists, ductwork, and pipes; conceal everything with paneling/drywall; or leave everything exposed and merely paint it over using a sprayer. Note that decorative ceiling beams can also add depth and architectural significance to drywall-finished ceilings.
  • Opt for practical but comfortable flooring. Most basement floors are made of concrete slab, which is just as well, since solid wall flooring is not normally recommended for subterranean installations. Wood flooring in the basement is more prone to shrinkage and expansion, which can result to floor gaps or warps. If your mind is set on wood flooring, consider engineered wood as your best alternative because it doesn’t shrink and expand that much. Concrete foundation, on the other hand, can be integrated with most common flooring options, whether vinyl, tiles, laminate, paint, or carpet.
  • Well-designed storage. The basement is customarily a catchall storage space for almost everything, so don’t forget to also plan for well-designed and nice-looking storage when you think of ways to make the most of your basement’s square footage.

 

Finish Your Basement for the Right Reasons

 

Finishing your basement not only provides extra living space for your family but also has huge potential for increasing the value of your home. Basement remodeling can be two to three times more viable and cost-effective than other home improvement options. The quality of design and construction is the key factor that determines the value of a finished basement. No matter how much you spend on this home improvement, if the basement ends up feeling more comfortable and nicer (or at least as comfortable and nice as the rooms upstairs), then you can honestly say that you have a basement that brings a ton of values – not just in terms of ROI but in your enjoyment of the space.

 

Keep in mind, though, that not all basements are prepped for finishing; converting your basement into a living area may involve a lot challenge with such considerations as light and ventilation, moisture control, working around wiring, drain lines, and ductwork. Another crucial caveat is not to go overboard with your basement remodeling. Remember that the value of your home is partly influenced by the value of your neighbors’ homes, so it’s not prudent to take on renovations that will bring the value of your home significantly beyond the typical value of other homes in the neighborhood.

 

You will be better equipped to make sensible decisions about budget, design, and materials to use in your basement remodeling if you have a clear understanding of the value you can realistically expect out of the project. Fineline Construction and its highly competent, committed team of experts can definitely assist you with knowledgeable and candid advice. Call 704-332-1747 TODAY and make an appointment for a free, absolutely no-obligation consultation!