Too often, says Bryan Sebring, owner of the residential remodeling company Sebring Services, basements look like a dungeon where forgotten belongings are banished. They are dark, cold, uninviting and cluttered, when in fact, they should be used as a great extra room for your home. Factoring in style, needs and budget, Sebring and his team carefully help clients construct the basement of their dreams that will make friends and family jealous of the new space.
Thanks to the progressions in basement remodeling, getting the basement you’ve always dreamed of is not as hard as you might think. And finishing your basement won’t disrupt the flow of your home the way renovating your kitchen or bathroom would. So in no time at all, you will have a room that everyone in your family can enjoy. When deciding how to transform your basement, Sebring recommends keeping these ideas in mind:
Design Options: If you’re looking for a more elegant design scheme, Sebring recommends installing decorative pillars that feature raised panels and crown moldings. The pillars are also a stylish way to provide transition or separation between sections of the room. And, instead of painting your basement white, he also recommends using a chair rail to visually guide you around the room, or adding crown molding in walkways to replace doors. To find looks that work for your tastes, scan magazines and the websites of contractors to piece together different aspects of model rooms to create a unique look for your home.
Lighting: Lighting is an important aspect to any space that many people don’t consider when they are trying to tie together the look of a room. Recessed lighting, which resembles cans placed in the ceiling, are an attractive way to light the basement, explains Sebring, because they provide just enough light without being overbearing. And, because the lighting can be arranged to your liking, you can get creative with the placement or do a basic symmetrical look. Another option for lighting that is more about the look than providing an effective source of light is wall sconces, which come in varying shapes and designs. They have become popular when homeowners are trying to create a warm look in their home.
Bathrooms: According to Sebring, when it comes to making your basement an extension of your home, adding a bathroom a must. It is especially helpful to have a bathroom constructed in your basement if you intend to use part of your basement as a game or play room, or if you’ve had problems with some members of the family monopolizing the bathroom. A tile shower base with steam shower heads can relieve the stresses of the most difficult day at work, says Sebring. And adding a tile heated floor can warm you in the winter. When it comes to décor for your bathroom, you can browse custom options for making your vanity, sinks and lighting unique to you.
Media Areas: It is uncommon to find television shows that a whole family can agree to watch. So adding a space for an entertainment center is usually a must for families who are remodeling their basements. A large flat screen television placed on top of the perfect mantle can be a great focal point in the room. Or, if you are willing to splurge on creating the perfect entertainment room that will rival your local movie theater, Sebring suggests investing in leather theater seats, dimmers, and a large-screen projector. And to keep noise from becoming problematic, add acoustical insulation in the ceiling and double French doors with elegant doorknobs to the doorways to contain noise with grace and style.
Bar Areas: According to Sebring, many of his clients say that one of the main purposes of their new basements will be for entertaining family and friends. A number of bar and gaming options can provide guests with an area to relax and socialize. For sports enthusiasts, he recommends a wraparound bar with neon signs and a flat screen TV to make guests forget that they are actually in a basement and think they are in a local sports bar. He also adds that many homeowners include a wet bar with a sink, along with appliances such as microwaves, mini fridges, and some even put in dishwashers. So it’s basically like you have another kitchen in your basement. For people with upscale tastes, Sebring suggests a bar with granite countertops, custom cabinets and stools.
