5 Improvements for a Functional Basement

Fantastic- Your house has a basement! Basements are fabulous spaces that add value to your home and space for family, friends, or stuff to spread out.

However, a lot of basements are more akin to caves than family rooms, and only washing machines and old stuffed animals are making use of them. If that sounds like your lower level, maybe it’s time you reclaimed it…right? You don’t have to bring in a crew to make your basement functional; just check out these 5 simple improvements that will let you take the fun—not just the laundry—downstairs.

1. Protect Against Water Damage

Basements have an unpleasant tendency to attract water—and who wants to spend time in a damp, drippy basement? Assess problem areas and bring in professionals if necessary to patch or fix them. Invest in an excellent sump pump, back-up system, and warning system to thwart flooding. Do you have flood insurance for your home? Considering a basement’s tendency to flood, it’s a safe-guard worth going for.

2. Take Advantage of Pluses – Natural Lighting

Most basements these days are equipped with an egress window—a place for easy exit if necessary. That means there’s some natural light to use. Walkout basements have plenty of light, but the small egress requires a bit of creativity to take full advantage of it. Arrange spaces so all can have some light if possible. You may even consider enlarging your window or having one installed—talk to a pro for the how-to and pricing.

3. Fix the Negatives – Cold, Hard Flooring

Unfinished basements have the trademark concrete flooring; uncomfortable, cold, and hard isn’t exactly welcoming, especially if anyone has foot problems. Once you’ve waterproofed your basement, put in some inviting flooring. Carpeting is great, but go for something you won’t mourn the loss of should some unexpected water show up. Tile, laminate, or hardwood can be softened with cushy rugs.

4. Purge and Rearrange

No one will want to take their party to the basement if the poothat l table is covered with boxes of old scrapbooking supplies. Basements are great for storage, but there should be some method to the madness. Devote an area or room to storage and invest in tidy containers. As for other stuff… have a garage sale, hock it on eBay, or make use of the local dump.

5. Talk to a Pro

If you want a truly functional and finished basement, you may want to bring in a pro. A professional can help you plan your lower level, install walls and drywall, take care of plumbing and electricity, and advise on tricky spots. Some of this is DIY if you have the right tools and a little know-how, but some stuff requires a professional job. It’s probably best not to guess with those wires…

With these steps, having a basement you can actually enjoy isn’t just a future dream after all! Now, you really can have that music studio you’ve always wanted… just double check on flood insurance for your home…