The idea of developing one’s basement is quite an exciting process. It is like a perfect bonus room that can be converted into a gymnasium, home cinema, laundry space, or games room.
However, not everyone has the sensibility to determine the potential of that home’s lowest floor. That is why a professional renovation company must turn this under-utilized area into a liveable one and add highly functional elements to it to transform it into a great socializing place. This is what a basement finishing project is all about.
Depending on the requirements, your finishing project can involve adding some lighting and sitting benches in the area or building it wholesomely with walls, ceilings, furniture, bars, etc.
To help you get started, here are some amazing tips to help you finish your basement and add great value to your home –
Determine the layout
Before starting any renovation or finishing project, the first and foremost thing is the layout space’s design. The basement area can be put to multiple uses, and you must assess what these are. The design would be strategically created depending on your planned usage.
For instance, if you plan a socializing area in the basement, it should get the best natural light. It would be best to put it in a darker spot for a TV viewing zone to reduce glare, etc.
Fix the water issues.
Water leaking from the pipes or excess moisture in any part of the house ruins the renovation project, especially with basements, where the water problem is the biggest issue and humidity is expected to be more than in any other room.
So, if your finishing project involves adding walls or redoing the paint, ensure you get it waterproofed by a professional. After all, you wouldn’t want mold growing in your newly built area, becoming an eye sore for you and your guests.
Choose the right Kind of Lighting.
Drawing the natural light in the basements is the hardest. That is why you must plan an efficient lighting system for this area. Due to the lack of natural light, you would require more lighting for a basement to look more inviting.
Depending on the area’s utility, you would need various kinds of light fixtures for the basement. You can choose from a wide variety of hot, warm, and cool incandescent lights, compact fluorescents, or LEDs to enhance the aesthetics of the space and save energy costs simultaneously.
Pick appropriate flooring
Being the lowest area of the house, a basement often encounters the problem of water leakage and water clogging. So, you should be extra cautious while choosing the type of flooring to install in that space.
Depending upon the situation and your requirements, you can choose anything from laminate flooring, tiles, wood, and carpets to concrete flooring.