Finished basements have a major return on investment, averaging at around 70%. There’s a good reason for that. Your basement has the same square footage of an entire house floor. That means when you finish your basement, you’ve essentially added a new ground floor to your home.
Many families use their finished basements as a way to create the ultimate family room, leaving their upstairs living rooms open for guests and formal occasions. But how exactly do you transform a dark and spooky basement into a happy and fun family room?
Here are a few tips to consider if you’re looking to transform your home’s basement from scary to beautiful.
Plan ahead and plan carefully
The first step toward converting your basement into the ultimate family room requires you to plan ahead and plan diligently. You’ll need to inspect your basement’s plumbing systems and wiring to determine the type of internal infrastructure your family room may need. Insulation, ventilation, and moisture management are all essential to creating a family room that doesn’t feel cold and damp like a traditional basement. You should also make sure to have a basement crack repair service come and inspect for foundation cracks with the help of a foundation repair and inspection service to avoid water damage or molds.
It may also be necessary to conduct radon gas testing. About one in every 15 U.S. homes is estimated to have radon levels at or above the EPA action level, and the basement is the prime location for high radon levels. Professional radon testing services can accurately detect these levels and recommend effective mitigation strategies to keep your home safe. It’s this part of your basement remodel that you’ll definitely want the help of professional renovators with the necessary permits.
Choose the right flooring
It’s no secret that your choice of flooring can have a major impact on the appearance of your home. In fact, the U.S. flooring industry reported a growth of 3.85% since 2019. Because of this, it’s good to consider the type of flooring that would not only look the best but would also work the best in your family room. After all, coatings have two primary functions: decoration and protection.
If you have small children, carpeting may seem like the best idea for your basement flooring. However, your kids won’t stay small for long. Look into popular choices for basement flooring options, consider their pros and cons, and decide which option may work best for your family.
Lighting is everything
Perhaps even more important than flooring is your basement’s lighting. If your basement only has a few floor lamps or ceiling lights, the room will always look dark and unhappy no matter what furniture or flooring options you choose. To keep the spookiness at bay, install plenty of recessed lighting. This lighting, when used in conjunction with lamps, can turn your basement into a light and airy place.
Transition your home’s style from upstairs to downstairs
It’s all too easy for your finished basement to feel like a separate part of your home. To make your family room really feel like a family room, make sure that you’re continuing your upstairs style down into your basement as well. Continuing the color palette and using similar furniture pieces such as a sectional for cozy family nights can help to make a basement feel like a cohesive part of the home instead of its own separate area.
It can be tricky to make your finished basement really feel like a cozy part of your home. But, by following the tips above, you can set yourself in the right direction toward making your finished basement into a great family room.
