By Nicole Sheen | Published 9:58 PM, October 28, 2021
It's dark underneath. It feels a bit damp underneath. There is a unique smell-musty, musty, musty, foul-smelling, rotten-it smells like something is dead. Spider web? Rich. Spine tingling, fear caused by trembling? Yes. The lighting is poor, the floor is dirty, and the fragile wooden planks used as the stairs are creaky, as ominous as the sound effects of any horror movie.
If you were afraid of the unfinished basement when you were young, please raise your hand. (Or even if you are still an adult. No judgment.)
This unpleasant place no longer has to haunt your nightmares or cause you trouble. It’s time to take charge and show the basement who the boss is. We collected some inspiring ideas for completing the basement and transforming that rough cellar into the ultimate reward space.
Turning your basement into a comfortable home theater makes a lot of sense. After all, there is very little light in the beginning, so you can quickly hang up the blackout curtains. If money is not a problem, you can sway on a few rows of leather recliners-with built-in cup holders, natch-or use huge beanbag chairs to evoke some retro entertainment room atmosphere. (You might be surprised at how far these recliners have gone since their heyday in the 1970s!)
Especially if it can be accessed from the side entrance, the transformed basement is very suitable for traveling friends and family or temporary residents (such as college students) to provide extra private and extra inviting guest rooms. The existing basic bathroom may need to be refurbished, but the project will pay off in the next few years.
Not many guests, but staying in an ideal destination? Consider the basement reno as the first step in establishing Airbnb.
Related: How much does it cost to complete the basement?
Gather all wine lovers! A homeowner who occasionally serves a bottle of wine at dinner may use a wall-mounted or countertop rack or small wine refrigerator. But if you are a true Cabernet Sauvignon connoisseur or avid ice wine lover, why not turn your basement into a wine cellar? Use special shelves to keep it simple, or create a real tasting room by adding a wooden bar or farmhouse table, ample seating, or even a sound system.
Basements are often used as playrooms for a good reason: they are usually large and open. There are almost no obstacles, it is easy to install and enjoy table tennis, air hockey, billiards or foosball tables. Usually it is spacious enough to fit a pinball machine or classic arcade game. Ms. Pac-Man, anyone?
Of course, for true old-fashioned reality, you need to equip your game room with an old saggy sofa (preferably tartan), a huge retro TV, and a game console.
Trying to enter the inner yogi? Have you discovered how mindfulness can help you live more fulfilling lives and reduce stress? Practices such as meditation and gentle exercise can be done almost anywhere, but it is great to designate a special space as your own personal Zen zone. This way you can let your mat unfold, or your meditation mat spread out, so you can feel happy when your mood (or need) comes.
When there is a perfect, fully functional kitchen upstairs, why create another complete area where you can refrigerate food and drinks, provide refreshments and wash? Several reasons. The basement kitchenette can provide a better space for Airbnb guests, visiting relatives and friends or renting tenants. This is a place to install interesting auxiliary equipment to increase your daily cooking (think: kegs, pizza oven). Some people just want a custom entertaining space or more elbow space, suitable for both the family and the things in the refrigerator.
The pandemic has caused all of us, including the rats in the gym, to rush home for a whole year or even longer. How are our exercise habits due to Covid-19? Surprisingly, at least one study shows that we actually exercise more—88% more! Have you been accumulating fitness equipment and equipment, but there is no good place to put everything? Why not store it in the home gym you built in the basement?
Tired of stepping on Lego blocks, tripping over toys, tiptoeing through the minefields of scattered art supplies? Your family needs a finished basement game room. This is an ideal opportunity for you to use your imagination and try some interesting and creative DIY storage solutions. When considering colorful basement decoration ideas, please seek the help of children. Don’t forget to put the handicrafts and snacks on the table! Finally, put all the Disney DVDs in the comfortable TV lounge area, so you never have to overhear "Let It Go" again.
Related: 10 shortcuts to a less scary basement
The term "garage band" is very common, but what about "basement band"? Not so much, but you can be the change you want to see in the basement. In fact, this much-maligned low-level has great potential as a practice space for part-time musicians. Due to the strong cinder block or concrete structure and underground location, basements are usually easier to soundproof than the ground floor. This means you can rock all night (or jazz, ska or Norwegian death metal).
Approximately 80 million of us—one-third of Americans over the age of 12—listen to one or more podcasts on a regular basis. But this does not mean that there is no more room. To help your podcast attract new audiences and attract revenue opportunities, you need to make it sound as professional as possible. Investing in the right technology is the key, and creating a first-class recording studio is also the key. (Of course, as long as your basement band is ready to demonstrate, this studio can of course also be used to record music.)
Do you remember to send the film to be developed, and then wait a week to see the images taken by your trusted camera? Digital photography gives us instant gratification, which is great. But just as fashionable people avoid all non-vinyl records, taking pictures with real film has also made a comeback. Whether you never leave your home with a 35mm camera, or you are just starting out as a shutter enthusiast, a home darkroom will enhance your experience. What is better than a basement, where the daylight has been reduced?
Related: 7 steps to avoid flooding your basement
You may be surprised how many people return to work IRL. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, only 13% of American adults still use Zoom, Skype, and Slacking. If you are one of the few people who continue to work remotely, please be kind to yourself in another place.
You probably already have the basic things: a table, a chair, a file cabinet, and a ring light. If this is the case, you can focus on upgrading the appearance, such as painting the space or adding a pleasant carpet.
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