Best basement remodeling ideas

30 Modern Basement Remodel Ideas

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You’ll be shocked by how much it increases your home’s value.

By Lucia Tonelli

Jun 20, 2019

Design: Liz Caan/Photo: Eric Roth

Does your basement feel more like an unused dungeon than a stylish space to hang out in? For more homeowners than not, a basement is merely a storage space for unwanted furniture or boxes full of who knows what. By letting this square footage go to waste, you're missing out on prime interior real estate, which can ultimately decrease the value of your home. Plus, what better place to have fun with design than a room secluded from the rest of your house?

Before you begin remodeling, there are some important factors to consider. "As with any room, the first important step is to think about what the space will be used for," says designer Christine Markatos Lowe. "Do you mostly use it during the day or at night? Will there need to be plumbing installed, for add-ons like a bathroom or a wetbar? Will it be a kids space or more for adults and entertaining?" she adds. Once you've nailed down your purpose, there are several factors to contend with. Since basements are typically windlowless or very dim, appropriate lighting is key. "Typically the ceiling height is going to be pretty low, so installing recessed can lights or low-profile flush mounts is a must," Markatos says. "Treating the ceiling as a fifth surface area to play with is also a great way to bring in some more interest through wallpaper or paint to an otherwise dark and flat area. "

Still unsure where to go from here? Read below for 30 surprisingly stylish basement ideas that will transform the look—and value—of your home.

Warm things up with a Modern Faux Fireplace

Set up Extra Seating Behind the Couches

Turn the Space into a Craft Room

Shiplap the Walls for a Cozier Feel

Install a Formal Projector Screen

Opt for Cinema-Themed Decor

Add Recessed Lighting to Give the Illusion of Higher Ceilings

Go Bold With Eclectic Patterns

Keep the Palette White and Bright

Transform an Awkward Corner into a Stylish Storage Space

Add a Corner Kitchen Space for Easy Access to Snacks

Finish Concrete Floors With a Striking Lacquer

Line the Ceiling with Warm String Lights

Experiment With a Fun Design Theme

Install Storage Beneath the Stairs

Construct a Bar Beneath the Stairs

Welcome Guests with a Movie-Themed Stairwell

Stick a Half-Bath Under the Stairs

Install Barn Doors to Break up the Space

Dedicate a Corner to Laundry

. ..Or Make it a Full Laundry Room

Turn it into a Guest Bedroom

Amp Up the Luxury With a Statement Ceiling

Build Adult-Appropriate Bunk Beds

Choose a Chalkboard Accent Wall

Let the Games Take Center Stage

Add Family Photos for a Personal Feel

Create a Dedicated Workspace

Embrace an Industrial Design Scheme

Go Bold With a Statement Staircase

Lucia Tonelli Assistant Editor Lucia Tonelli is an Assistant Editor at Town & Country, where she writes about the royal family, culture, real estate, design, and more.

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10 Basement Remodel Ideas | The Family Handyman

On the hunt for basement remodel ideas? Get your wheels turning with these stunning spaces that are anything but an afterthought.

1 / 10

Courtesy of @our.colonial.casa

Basement Reading Nook

The space under your stairs has the potential to be more than just a dark and dusty closet. Transform the area into a cheery reading nook, like this example from @our.colonial.casa. Thoughtful details like the wall sconce, cozy linens and custom trim work complete the look of this truly special hideaway.

2 / 10

Courtesy of @barcbybrettandali

Basement Home Theater

Embrace the lack of natural light in your basement and create a home theater! This media room by @barcbybrettandali proves you can put your own spin on a media room by choosing the right furniture and accessories.

The boho rug, movie posters and leather theater chairs help the space flow with the rest of the house. Light or brightly colored basement walls can distract from the movie-viewing experience, so go with a dark color like Urbane Bronze by Sherwin-Williams used here.

3 / 10

Courtesy of @blacksuburbanfarmhouse

Basement Bar

If you like to entertain, adding a downstairs bar is a game changer. In this beautiful basement bar by @blacksuburbanfarmhouse, a rugged accent wall helps define the bar area and creates a stunning backdrop for the open shelving.

4 / 10

Courtesy of @be.in.wonder.design

Basement Play Room

A large open basement is the perfect space to create the ultimate playroom. Vanessa of @be.in.wonder.design designed this bright playroom with her kids’ interests in mind. The rock wall and climbing swing are the show-stoppers. But the space also has toy storage, an under-the-stairs reading house, and most importantly plenty of room to run around.

5 / 10

Courtesy of @katie_gelsheimer_home

Basement Guest Space

With a basement space like this one by @katie_gelsheimer_home, your guests may never leave! A kitchenette and dining area lead into a welcoming guest bedroom via sliding barn doors.

Barn doors are a great choice to fit multiple rooms in a small area. They take up less space than swinging doors and provide architectural interest, as well as a fun pop of color.

6 / 10

Courtesy of @bethfisherdesigns

Basement Lounge Area

To make a big impact in your basement, go black. Black walls, light floor and furniture and brass accents work together to create this striking basement lounge area by @bethfisherdesigns. A modern chandelier and the recessed lights keep the space from feeling too dark. It’s important to include plenty of lighting sources when using black paint.

7 / 10

Courtesy of @heyjerry_home

Basement Family Room

This chic basement family room by @heyjerry_home features sleek mid-century furniture and gorgeous muted tones.

If you have exposed duct work or pipes in your basement, take a page from this example and paint them the same color as the ceiling and walls. This helps blend these elements into the rest of the space without adding a ceiling and losing height. Another great tip here is to use light, floor-length curtains to increase the perceived window area.

8 / 10

Courtesy of @taybayyyyy

Basement Laundry Room

When you think of a basement laundry room, you might conjure up images of cobwebs and concrete flooring. But a basement laundry room actually can be the designer space of your dreams, like this one by @taybayyyyy.

For a similar look, start with bright white walls and light, patterned floor flooring. Then add unexpected finishes like rich dark cabinets and gold hardware.

9 / 10

Courtesy of @backwoods_farmgirl

Basement Craft Room

If you have a small or odd-shaped room in your basement, it might be the right spot for a craft room. All you need is a work surface and plenty of organized storage options.

This craft room by @backwoods_farmgirl makes good use of wall space with a large peg board and shelving. The exposed ceiling gives the space an industrial look, which works well in a creative space.

10 / 10

Courtesy of @taybayyyyy

Basement Bathroom

We love the classic black and white color palette in this basement bathroom by @taybayyyyy. The white walls and shower tile brighten up the space, and the black flooring and vanity provide a clean, sharp contrast.

Another smart choice is the floor to ceiling glass shower wall, which opens up the small space and makes it feel bigger. Here’s how to plumb your basement bathroom.

Originally Published: July 21, 2021

Erica Young

Erica Young is a freelance writer and content creator, specializing in home and lifestyle pieces. She loves writing about home decor, organization, relationships, and pop culture. She holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Arizona State University, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Basements - 55 Best Basement and Basement Design Photo Ideas for a Private Home

Chan Basement

Knight Construction Design Inc.

Home-inspired medium-sized neoclassical (modern classic) basement with access to the outside, gray walls and carpeting

Old Westbury Wine Cellar

Chango & Co.

Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Construction Administration, Custom Millwork & Furniture Design by Chango & Co. Photography by Jacob Snavely
Stylish design: underground, huge neoclassical (modern classic) basement with gray walls, dark parquet floors and a horizontal fireplace - the latest trend

Industrial Basement

Platinum Design Build

exit to the outside, brown walls, laminate flooring and brown floors without a fireplace - the latest trend

Omaha, Nebraska Residence- Interior Design for New Build

Haven Design and Construction

The expansive basement entertainment area features a tv room, a kitchenette and a custom bar for entertaining. The custom entertainment center and bar areas feature bright blue cabinets with white oak accents. Lucite and gold cabinet hardware adds a modern touch. The sitting area features a comfortable sectional sofa and geometric accent pillows that mimic the design of the kitchenette backsplash tile. The kitchenette features a beverage fridge, a sink, a dishwasher and an undercounter microwave drawer. The large island is a favorite hangout spot for the clients' teenage children and family friends. The convenient kitchenette is located on the basement level to prevent frequent trips upstairs to the main kitchen. The custom bar features lots of storage for bar ware, glass display cabinets and white oak display shelves. Locking liquor cabinets keep the alcohol out of reach for the younger generation.

Liberty Lake Basement Wet Bar

Kimberlee Kristine

Home-inspired medium-sized neoclassical (modern classic) basement with access to the outside, gray walls, laminate flooring, standard fireplace, stone fireplace front and brown flooring

Basement Gym with Fireplace

FBC Remodel

©Finished Basement Company
Original design example of a huge modern style basement with exterior windows, gray walls, dark parquet floors, horizontal fireplace, tile fireplace front and brown floor

Industrial Basement

JR Custom Living

Fresh Design Idea: Loft-style basement with exterior windows, brown walls, medium-toned parquet floors, and brown floors without a fireplace - great interior photo

Downingtown Finished Basement: Theater/ Bar Area, Kids Area and Powder Room

TATCOR Building & Remodeling

Due to the limited space and the budget, we chose to install a wall bar versus a two-level bar front. The wall bar included white cabinetry below a white/grey quartz counter top, open wood shelving, a drop-in sink, beverage cooler, and full fridge. For an excellent entertaining area along with a great view to the large projection screen, a half wall bar height top was installed with bar stool seating for four and custom lighting. The AV projectors were a great solution for providing an awesome entertainment area at reduced costs. HDMI cables and cat 6 wires were installed and run from the projector to a closet where the Yamaha AV receiver as placed giving the room a clean simple look along with the projection screen and speakers mounted on the walls.

Temptation Gray Bar

Thyme & Place Design LLC

When my client had to move from her company office to work at home, she set up in the dining room. Despite her best efforts, this was not the long-term solution she was looking for. My client realized she needed a dedicated space not on the main floor of the home. On one hand, having your office space right next to the kitchen is handy. On the other hand, it made separating work and home life was not that easy. The house was a ranch. In essence, the basement would run the entire length of the home. As we came down the steps, we entered a time capsule. The house was built in the 1950's. The walls were covered with original knotty pine paneling. There was a wood burning fireplace and considering this was a basement, high ceilings. In addition, there was everything her family could not store at their own homes. As we wound though the space, I though “wow this has potential”, Eventually, after walking through the laundry room we came to a small nicely lit room. This would be the office. My client looked at me and asked what I thought. Undoubtedly, I said, this can be a great workspace, but do you really want to walk through this basement and laundry to get here? Without reservation, my client said where do we start? Once the design was in place, we started the renovation. The knotty pine paneling had to go. Specifically, to add some insulation and control the dampness and humidity. The laundry room wall was relocated to create a hallway to the office. At the far end of the room, we designated a workout zone. Weights, mats, exercise bike and television are at the ready for morning or afternoon workouts. The space can be concealed by a folding screen for party time. Doors to an old closet under the stairs were relocated to the workout area for hidden storage. Now we had a nice wall for a beautiful console and mirror for storage and serving during parties. In order to add architectural details, we covered the old ugly support columns with simple recessed millwork panels. This detail created a visual division between the bar area and the seating area in front of the fireplace. The old red brick on the fireplace surround was replaced with stack stone. A mantle was made from reclaimed wood. Additional reclaimed wood floating shelves left and right of the fireplace provides decorative display while maintaining a rustic element balancing the copper end table and leather swivel rocker. We found an amazing rug which tied all of the colors together further defining the gathering space. Russet and burnt orange became the accent color unifying each space. With a bit of whimsy, a rather unusual light fixture which looks like roots from a tree growing through the ceiling is a conversation piece. The office space is quite and removed from the main part of the basement. There is a desk large enough for multiple screens, a small bookcase holding office supplies and a comfortable chair for conference calls. Because working from home requires many online meetings, we added a shiplap wall painted in Hale Navy to contrast with the orange fabric on the chair. We finished the decor with a painting from my client's father. This is the background online visitors will see. The last and best part of the renovation is the beautiful bar. My client is an avid collector of wine. She already had the EuroCave refrigerator, so I incorporated it into the design. The cabinets are painted Temptation Gray from Benjamin Moore. The counter tops are my favorite hard working quartzite Brown Fantasy. The backsplash is a combination of rustic wood and old tin ceiling like porcelain tiles. Together with the textures of the reclaimed wood and hide poofs balanced against the smooth finish of the cabinets, we created a comfortable luxury for relaxing. There is ample storage for bottles, cans, glasses, and anything else you can think of for a great party. In addition to the wine storage, we incorporated a beverage refrigerator, an ice maker, and a sink. Floating shelves with integrated lighting illuminate the back bar. The raised height of the front bar provides the perfect wine tasting and paring spot. I especially love the pendant lights which look like wine glasses. Finally, I selected carpet for the stairs and office. It is perfect for noise reduction. Meanwhile for the overall flooring, I specifically selected a high-performance vinyl plank floor. We often use this product as it is perfect to install on a concrete floor. It is soft to walk on, easy to clean and does not reduce the overall height of the space.

Worthington Basement 19039

J.S. Brown & Co.

Original Design Example: Medium Size Modern Basement with Home Theater, White Walls, Vinyl Flooring, Brown Flooring and Wood Walls

Contemporary Basement

Design Idea: Medium Size Modern Basement with White Walls, Light parquet floor, stone fireplace front, beige floor, exterior windows and horizontal fireplace

Modern Traditional

MartinPatrick 3

Design idea for a medium sized neoclassical (modern classic) underground basement with blue walls, carpet and gray floors

Basement Interior - Budget Renovation

When it seemed that this family home was literally bursting at the seams, the family began to look at their basement, where they could organize a large multi-purpose hall for gathering friends and entertainment.

Bright and inviting, this basement now includes a multifunctional family room, a bathroom with shower and a new laundry area.

Tim Moore, design manager at OakWood Renovation Services, says a project of this magnitude could cost upwards of $100,000, but with standard finishes and some other cost-cutting measures, he estimated a budget of around $45,000. You can see how he organized the room and distributed the allocated funds.

Residents: Family with young children
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Area: 55.7 m2
Budget: 45000 $

Basement before renovation

BEFORE: like many other basements, this one was used as an unfinished dirty container for unnecessary things; it was also a very gloomy place for sewing and ironing. “The basement was very rough and looked just ugly,” says the author of the project.

Converted room

AFTER: traditional house from the 80s; on the second floor there are separate small rooms, none of them can accommodate several people. In the basement, the ceilings are low - only 2.13 m - but light pastel colors and high-quality lighting helped them to appear higher.

Other side of the cellar before work began

BEFORE: Retained from the 1960s, panels along the stairs improved the line of the base. The walls have a unique texture and look great with a few fresh finishes. So maintaining the foundation line allowed for no structural work, which was also a blessing for the homeowners.

Fireplace with TV and shelves on both sides of them

AFTER: “When it comes to basements, you never have too much lighting or the ability to control it with knobs and switches,” continues Tim Moore. Ceiling lamps at the front of the cabinet complete the atmosphere.

If you look closely at this photo, you will see that the only small window is on the left. However, built-in cabinets and window panes give the illusion of natural light in an underground space. In truth, "underground" is only 15 cm lower. The glass door you see leads to the new laundry room.

Close-up of the fireplace and its surroundings - the highlight of the living room

The bookcases next to the fireplace were custom made by a carpenter. Using painted pine and ready-made glass doors, it was possible to save on cabinets.

Cabinet doors, illuminated from above, "pretend" to be windows and reflect the light. They also hide multimedia equipment and toys. The fireplace is lined with broken California slate, 2.5×5 cm tiles that make the interior warm and create a special texture.

Space and freedom for recreation and entertainment

Flooring - laminate with acoustic foil.

“This is a standard product that has saved us a lot of money compared to other floor finishes,” says Tim Moore.

This room can also be used as a guest room. During the renovation, a small bathroom was created, and the new furniture for the living room - a sofa - can serve as an additional sleeping area and receive guests for the night.