Any remodeling project seems daunting at first, but the result is usually worth it. Basement remodeling, in particular, is reputable for intimidating people due to the dark, chilly, and cluttered nature of many basements. Though there are many practical and embellishing basement remodeling ideas, people tend to delay it and turn their focus to kitchen remodeling or bathroom remodeling projects.

Once the large surfaces like the floor, walls, and ceiling are finished, the rest of the work is no different from any other homeroom. Thus, a finished basement will add obvious beauty and value to your home as well as integrate the area with the other parts of the home. The way of integration and function may vary depending on your basement type.

In this blog post, we are explaining to you basic basement types and then putting some of the best basement remodel ideas together so that you can make a better choice before moving to the project phase.

Basement Types

Basements are essential parts of the houses that provide homeowners with extra space for many purposes like a home office, storage, cellar…etc. Due to the local regulations, the base field of the house, or other reasons, not every basement is the same. Here, we explain the typical basements so that you can imagine and understand the basement remodel ideas listed in the next section better.

Full Basement

As the name suggests, full basements cover the entire square footage of the home’s ground level. You don’t have any difficulty walking around the basement as the ceiling is high enough. The basement can be fully or mostly under the ground level. If there is a little space above the ground level before the basement ceiling, it is possible to add small windows to get the sunlight and fresh air in. Entertainment spaces, extra bedrooms, or bathrooms are all possible to add in if you have a full basement.

Partial Basement

A partial basement usually covers the half size of a house. If the house has an addition covering one part of the basement for another reason like a garage or extra rooms, the remaining part of the basement is called a partial basement. This partial, yet still valuable section can be used for various purposes. Chances are a small office, a secret bathroom, or just extra storage.

Walk-out Basement

On hilly lands, the buildings are built on the slopes. The basement is exposed on one side while the other side is still under the ground level. Depending on the size of the area and the inclination of the slope, the basement can be either partial or full. The exposed side of the basement is usually at full length. It means you don’t need to go upstairs to leave the building when you are in the basement. Instead, you can build a normal door on the exposed side, which allows you to walk out. 

Crawlspace

A crawlspace, as the name suggests, is not a basement technically. Though it can be as wide as a full basement, the ceiling is not high enough to allow an average person to walk in without bending. The most common function of this type of space is keeping the utilities for plumbing or storage. You can access a crawlspace inside your home and/or from an external entrance on one of the external walls outside.

Cellar

Cellars are usually designed for storage. For example, people can store fruit, vegetables, wine, or canned food. As cellars are not planned as a living space, the height is typically lower, and the floor is stone or dirt. 

Basement Remodel Ideas

There are various basement remodeling ideas depending on the type of the basement. On the other hand, the functional and aesthetic expectations should be taken into consideration, as well. If you get a basement remodeling service, you can discuss all the details with the basement remodeling contractors.

1. Get More Natural Light

Increasing the natural sunlight is one of the greatest motivations for modern basement ideas. For example, building the basement stairs by the window side and using glass balustrades can illuminate a big portion of the basement.

2. Get A Light Well

The light coming from the top is around three times brighter than the one coming from the side. Light wells are, therefore, amazing additions to your space. You can get a good amount of light while keeping the sidewall still functional like cabinets, shelves, or a luxury shower.

3. Make Use Of Reflections

Small basement remodel ideas generally include the effective use of mirrors. Especially the restrictive feeling of lower ceilings can be minimized by using full height mirrors where possible. Typically, the ideal place to use large mirrors is a basement bathroom. However, a basement bedroom or laundry room would, as well, be other possible places to install large classy mirrors.

4. Consider Basement Storage

The ideas for basement remodel are not all about lighting. If you are short of storage space in your living room or bedrooms, basement remodeling ideas aiming to create extra storage are just for you. You can even go with space-efficient basement remodeling projects and get a better place for the family and guests.

5. Fun Comes With A Basement Renovation

If you are looking for basement remodel ideas for your large full basement, here is a great basement design. You can create an excellent family room by installing a bar, a billiard table, and any other entertainment addition. Experienced remodeling services will help you with what and where to add new things to enjoy your basement space.

6. Boost The Functionality

Getting an uncluttered and cleaner first floor is much easier if you consider basement remodel ideas aiming to promote functionality in your home. Many homeowners wish to have a craft room, kids’ game room, or even a mini gym room. However, such ideas bring along some drawbacks like a certain amount of clutter, noise, and mess. Your basement would make a perfect space to free your first floor from the handicaps of functionality.

7. Adding Smart Divisions

For those having small basements, there is only one setting available in most cases. However, you might have more than one plan if you have a large basement. For example, you can have a bedroom and a home office in your basement. Using different floors can create a beautiful division between the spaces instead of building a plain wall. For example, a bedroom can feature a wood floor, while concrete floors accentuate the other parts of the basement.

8. Mind The Texture

You don’t have to follow the same texture all over your basement walls. A bright and spacious-looking living room is totally fine with solid white or cream-painted wall, but how about your setting a rustic bar project? A solid cream wall will not look good obviously. Then, you should switch to rustic bricks with an exposed overhead ceiling featured with timber details. 

9. Go Bigger With Windows

You can freely tell your basement remodeler that your ultimate goal is to feel like you are not in the basement once you get the remodeling done. French doors or large windows are probably the best additions you can consider. Basement remodeling companies will probably offer you a variety of window and door options that will beautify and illuminate your basement. Larger selections will easily give you what you want, a light-filled room.

10. One More Bathroom

Even if you have enough bathrooms in your home, a basement bathroom is still of critical function as it functions well as an integrated unit of other basement remodel ideas. For example, a guest bedroom or gym room in your basement requires a bathroom to unwind without needing to go upstairs. You can also wash the dog after a walk in the park without disturbing other people upstairs. However, consider that the basement remodel cost might increase as bathroom projects need substantial plumbing work. 

Conclusion

As you can understand from the bathroom remodel ideas aim to make the most of your space in your idle or unfinished basements. Before you get into any basement renovation, try to analyze your home as a whole, and think about how your existing basement can meet your needs. Then, depending on the size and type of your basement, you can come up with awesome basement remodel ideas. You can visit in person or simply search for the local contractors to get more specific information about your plan, including your location’s legal regulations. 

If you live in Virginia and searching for a local basement remodeling Virginia contractor, Valentino Design & Build can help you with your project. 

To start your dream basement remodeling project, get in touch with Valentino Now!