An unfinished basement is often relegated to the sidelines as a dingy storage space, but it has the potential so much more than that. Have you ever wanted a home theater or a personal gym? Your basement is the ideal location for those.
Here are the essential steps to take when finishing your basement to turn it into something worthwhile.
Get rid of the clutter
Like many homeowners, you’ve most likely treated your basement as an extra storage unit where you dump all your old furniture, appliances, and unused boxes. The first thing you need to do before you begin your renovation project is to remove all this clutter and start with a clean slate. Consider holding a garage sale so you can sell all these old items and make some extra money to fund your renovation project.
Plan your layout and budget
When planning your project, think about your basement with a specific function in mind. This particular purpose will determine what your layout, materials, and budget will be. Once you’ve figured out the details of your project, you’ll need to canvass prices for materials from vendors such as wall insulation suppliers and timber flooring suppliers. The three main areas you need to refurbish include the flooring, the walls, and the ceiling. You can factor in the furniture later.
Conduct a moisture test
Since basements are located in an area lower than the rest of the house, they can get quite cool and damp. Some basements are excessively moist and need to be waterproofed before you can do anything with them. A good way to tell if you need to perform any waterproofing to your basement is to conduct a moisture test so you can locate and fix the areas responsible for the extra moisture.
Familiarize yourself building codes and apply for permits
Make sure your renovations are safe and up to standard by familiarizing yourself with building codes and applying for the proper building permits. You can save yourself the headache of having to deal with the legal ramifications of your project if you’re knowledgeable about what you can and can’t do and if you’ve already prepared all the necessary documents beforehand.
Hire a professional
Unless you’ve already done several remodeling projects yourself, you’ll need someone to help you out if you’re a first-timer. A professional can do a much better job and in half the time it takes you to do it. This will also guarantee you and your family’s safety. There are still some simple jobs you can do yourself in an effort to save money, such as furnishing the finished space and painting the walls.
Pick out the appropriate furniture
Pick out the appropriate furniture for your basement depending on its intended function. This is where you can take creative liberties and design it to your liking. If you’re on a tight budget, you can purchase preowned furniture and decor from a thrift store or from a secondhand seller online. Just be sure to examine the pieces before you hand over the money to make sure they’re still in good condition.
Your basement is more than just a dingy space to store all your old belongings. You can transform your unfinished basement into the room of your dreams by following these simple steps.
