Adding livable square footage to a house while staying within its four walls is as simple as looking down and seeing a basement for all the
From recessed lighting to the warm glow of a fireplace, lighting is one of the most important elements in a basement renovation.
Dedicated media rooms, wine cellars, craft rooms and home gyms are no longer the stuff only newly built mansions are made of. For those who live in a home with limited space, the answer may be at the bottom of the staircase. Basements, particularly in older homes, are vastly underutilized and often become a place to store boxes of discarded kitchenware or hand-me-down furniture. However, done properly, lower levels can be transformed into inviting spaces in which to indulge in the most fanciful of hobbies, or refuges to hunker down with a movie or host parties for kids and adults. The trick is to see past the exposed pipes, awkward ductwork and concrete subfloor and to treat the basement with the same fervour and eye for detail you would use on the main floor. These local designers all agree: the sky is the limit in terms of what you can do with your basement. Now, go on and make the most of that once-neglected space.
LeAnne Bunnell, interior design
consultant, Elle Design
“I always think of basements as the addition you already have. Most basements are underused and underdeveloped, especially in existing and older homes. You can look at putting an addition on your home that could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, or you can look downstairs and embrace the space. Basements can seem subterranean, but that is because they are — run with it. A lot of people throw down the cheapest carpet they can find and slap up inexpensive lighting, but what really makes a basement sing is adding a touch of luxury. It is nice to have a fireplace, and there are great non-vented fireplaces available that utilize different fuels and don’t need a vent to the outside. Or, electric fireplaces still add heat to the room and create that ambient feeling you get from fuel-burning fireplaces. Plus, they are an easy insert.”
Arlene Ladner, design principal,
Bronco Gray Design Ltd.
“Sometimes people just don’t know where to start. I tell my clients to make a list of what they want the purpose of the room to be. Include everything from how your kids will use the space to if you plan on hosting parties down there. Then ask yourself how you want it to feel — bright, dark, kid-friendly or more for adults. If it’s for kids, add a thick carpet they can lounge on to watch TV and throw down some custom-made cubed beanbag chairs that are more modern than the beanbag chairs from the 1970s and ’80s. If you want to create a theatre room, put drapery around the entire space to muffle the sound and add drama. Pot lights with dimmers are always good, and mirrors create the illusion of windows so it feels less like a basement. Whatever you decide, making a list of what you want to get out of your basement is an important first step.”
Jeannie Sturdy, principal,
M Projects Inc.
“A lot of people are putting money into their basements, because that is the place we spend most of our time. It’s usually a multi-purpose entertainment area for the family with a home theatre, exercise room, game room or bar. You can use creative materials to separate those areas while still keeping it open concept. Acrylic panels that look like glass can be used as walls, especially in a dark basement. It gives privacy from one room to another, blocking the exercise equipment from your lounge area and is a nice design feature. Fabric room dividers that can slide open and closed on a track system can also separate the room.”
Chantel Snyder, president,
CCS Designs International
“The biggest misconception people have when renovating basements is that they just want it to look clean. Basements should be esthetically pleasing. Include wall murals and niches to put artwork. Make it a playful event. Functionality is also important. If you plan on doing some of the work yourself, spend a little more money and hire a professional for a consultation. You’ll get good advice on space planning that will benefit you in the long run. If you aren’t going to hire a professional to do the work, make sure you have the knowledge to do it right. Whether you are using the space for the long-term or planning on resale, you want to make sure the work is done properly from the beginning.”
Aubrey Reisinger, senior designer,
Lynn Donaldson & Associates
“To not rack up your renovation budget, it’s important to consider the guts of your home. Moving the furnace, hot water tank or electrical panels is very costly. Also, don’t lose sight of the ductwork. A lot of the time, that is overlooked until people start framing and you’re forced to put in unsightly bulkheads. Look at the services at the beginning and integrate them into the design, instead of making them an afterthought. Keeping a bathroom in its original location is also a budget-saver. If you don’t need to move a toilet or drain, don’t. Most basements have a concrete subfloor and jackhammering it to put more services in can be costly. Anything can happen with enough time and money, but if you plan well and work with what you have, it will serve you better in the end.”
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