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Cool basement setups


47 Cool Finished Basement Ideas (Design Pictures)

These cool finished basement ideas share a variety of exciting ways you can get the most out of your extra living space. A finished basement design gives you, family and friends a place to hang out and enjoy any time of year. From home bars, game rooms, home gyms or movie rooms there are tons of ways to create a finished basement you’ll love.

In modern homes, game room are starting to become an essential part of the house. The modern basement game room shown in the image above with mood lighting make this area look just like a high end nightclub. Gorgeous cone pendant lights over the pool table are ideal for a focused lighting which are perfect for the game. A stylish hideout for the man of the house and his friends.

Table of Contents

By definition, the Basement is the lowest habitable level of a building or a residential house which is usually below ground level. Thanks to interior designers, these basements are now being transformed and remodeled from a dark, damp and dreary place of the house into a functional living spaces which can be enjoyed by the whole family.

The size of the basement doesn’t matter – whether it is a full basement, half, walkout or cellar type. Basement remodeling could enhance the value of the home since it expands the square footage of the house, thus creating an additional, usable space and efficient storage when renovated. A finished basement can also be a good investment.

It is very important to first think about how you want your basement to function.

• Open Floor Plan – allows you to incorporate several smaller working areas and different zones for various activities in one well-designed space.

• Stairwell – it is best to open the stairwell and install a banister for a more open feel. Another idea is to incorporate storage space with the stairs.

• Flooring – it is very important to select suitable flooring which will be durable and appropriate for all types of weather and withstand fluctuations in moisture levels.

• Lighting – create well-lighted basement using track lighting, recessed lighting as well as incorporating other types of lighting fixtures for more dramatic effect. Allowing natural light into the basement is a big challenge; and the best solution is installing window wells. Make sure you install window wells where you could make them as wide and deep as possible to bring much needed sunlight into the basement.

• Colors – when renovating or remodeling basements, note that colors do play an important role in each design concept you want to achieve. Choosing the right colors will make your basement stand out and create a cozy ambiance.

• Sound Proofing – noise from the basement can travel up to the main house, it is advisable to choose an engineered drywall to dampen the noise coming from the basement.

Find inspiration for your basement makeover with our featured design and decorating ideas. Below are concepts and popular choices for different functions and activities for a basement renovation.

A neutral color palette is employed for this modern basement which incorporates a small kitchen, bar and a living area with fireplace. The result is a lovely and relaxed feel for this open floor plan multi-purpose room.  The porcelain faux wood flooring and the area rug adds texture and splash of color to the room.

Basement Remodeling Ideas

Basement spaces have abundant remodeling ideas and design possibilities that would cater any purposes and activities. Our gallery of cool basement design ideas will surely impress and excite you to create your own basement living space where everyone will love to hang out.

This luxury basement with a wet bar offers extra convenience and accessible utility to this lower level living space. Wall to wall cabinetry with open glass shelving provides a display storage for wines and other liquors. Raised panel base cabinets give lots of additional storage space. The stone fireplace keeps this basement warm and cozy; perfect for entertaining and a great focal point for the area. The stone flooring and matching stone accents on walls and island bar are crafted to create the right balance for this design scheme.

Basement Color Ideas

Whether your basement is for a game room, man cave, yoga retreat, or movie room, this room has the potential to be the best room in the house. What color you chose depends on a few things, the most important being what is the tone that you want to set for the room? Followed closely by how the room will be used and who will be using it most. The color is really going to set the stage for this space so you want to make sure you have the right color before you commit it to your walls.

Before you even consider color, you want to have lighting in the space figured out. If you don’t have any natural light, how are you going to brighten up the space? Will you use pot lights or track lighting, will you supplement with floor and table lamps? Your paint will look worlds different if you change your lighting after you paint, so try to sort out your lighting needs first.

If you are going for a movie screening room, then go with a dark neutral, or simply go dark. You want the walls to recede and you don’t want a lot of glare from your projection equipment or tv. Make sure to use a flat paint and paint the ceiling in a dark neutral to prevent light from bouncing around and creating glares. For a classic, old world move theater feeling, go with a rich burgundy or deep navy.

If you want a more contemporary feel, a gunmetal grey or lighter silvery grey would be perfect. Bold, dark colors aren’t the only choice though, if you aren’t a fan of saturated color, simply chose a dark neutral in tones of grey or brown.

For a playroom, keep it cheerful and bright. A lovely lemon-curd yellow is a great choice provided you have ample lighting. Any yellow tone will look muddy in a dimply lit room, so keep that in mind when selecting paint colors. If you want to be really adventurous, purple is perfect for a basement playroom. Purple inspires creativity and energy and is great for the playroom that will double as a creative space.

If serenity is what you are after, think watery blues with undertones of green. Blue can read differently in different light levels, what looks relaxing on the sample strip can look downright neon covering an entire wall, choosing a blue with green undertones will help prevent that electric blue look. These beautiful, watery colors will make your basement guest room feel light and airy. It will also provide a relaxing, outdoors vibe to a yoga or meditation retreat.

Finally, go bold. If you are going to be using your basement as a sports hangout on game day, why not paint at least one wall your favorite teams color? Yes, it is outrageous, but your basement is your playground, don’t be afraid to be bold and go a little crazy.

There are no hard and fast rules about wall color in a basement, but there are ways to make your color look it’s best in a space that often has no natural light. Ensure that your lighting is in place and adequate before deciding on a color, determine what the space will be used for, and consider the tone that you want to set for the space. Your basement is one of the few truly personal spaces in a home, make it yours!

A traditional rustic basement family room features period details such as leather furniture, solid wooden chest used as side table, custom made display cabinet and paneled accent wall. Dark brown wood ceiling beam with mood lighting, conceals plumbing and highlights the wood panel ceiling which adds texture and character to the space. This cozy and warm retreat is perfect for relaxation and suitable for any family gatherings.

Basement Game Room Ideas

This contemporary basement design has several entertainment areas such as pool game area, granite home bar and more than a few seating areas are perfect for accommodating different interests and activities giving this game room personal charm and style. Modern drop lights combined with recessed lighting provides ample illumination to the whole area.

Red and Black color scheme makes this luxurious man cave basement very stylish. Wall to wall custom made cabinetry features an elegant display glass shelves for glassware and liquors. The open space in the middle is perfect for the widescreen TV; while the cabinets below provides that extra needed storage.
Who said that red carpet is just for runways, this red pool table and seating lounge is a unique choice of color which is matched by the red-carpet flooring. Neutral light tone textured gray walls balances the splash of colors.

Transform your basement into a multi-activity area dedicated to have loads of fun. Oversized bean bag seats for relaxing, reading books or just a space for adults to spend quality time with the kids and keeping an eye on them while they are playing. Create a space for children’s games and toys by having a foos ball table and some miniature rocking chairs. Light tone laminated wood flooring is a good choice for this basement play area.

Make use of existing materials such as this basement stone wall; and add accent by hanging artworks and photographs of those treasured memories. Neutral and earth tone colors combined with comfortable sofa, cozy furnishings make this family basement a warm and inviting space. A small kitchen and wet bar makes entertaining convenient and much fun.

A focal point wall is a great way to build architectural interest in the basement by installing brick tiles for durable and easy-to-maintain walls. This multi- purpose room and entertainment area, features a pool table, game table and home bar transforming a boring basement into the family room where everyone can relax, unwind and enjoy. Many finished basement ideas incorporate a home bar, game area and dining table to provide plenty of opportunities for entertainment and fun.

This “fun-tastic” gray basement recreation and game room features an air hockey game table, a display wall of toy collection and a Star Trek memorabilia and décor. Custom furniture, mini bar and other classic arcade game creates a perfect place for kids and kids at heart to unwind and have a good time.

This contemporary theme gray basement with living room area features elegant furniture and a shuffleboard table is a Game & Entertainment Lovers Dream.  Cool neutral colors with splashes of vibrant warm colors gives this room a groovy, fun, warm and welcoming ambiance.  Perfect hangout spot for teens and adults alike.

This traditional home basement is redesigned to be an adult’s retreat spot. The game area features a poker table with black leather chairs, the sectional sofa and ottoman by the fire place are made of brown leather and a small counter with bar stools. This entertainment area opens and flows out to the basement’s wine cellar. Decorative stones which are used for accent walls, arch ways and fireplace adds warmth and coziness to the room. Homeowners could entertain many friends in a fun place like this one.

A basement retreat where you can watch the NFL big play in this large screen TV and relax on this comfortable sofa lounge. The shag carpet helps reduce the noise and sound from this small basement hideaway. The neutral color scheme for the ceiling, walls, floors and furniture adds warmth and coziness to the room.

This carpeted finished basement game room offers two ping pong tables with a corner wet bar with storage cabinets. A large couch provides a place to hang out and watch sports games or movies.

Boys will be boys. This small man-cave basement is fully equipped with the essentials a man would need in his hideaway retreat – a wall dartboard, a bar and a liquor cabinet. Texture painted ceiling in two tone colors and neutral color painted walls are balanced by the medium tone wood stain finish of the cabinetry, doors and bar stools. Wall to wall carpet adds a warmth and welcoming feel to the room.

This fun and sophisticated football and baseball inspired sports room basement, features leather seats and sleek modern furniture is a perfect place for family members and friends to gather and watch Sunday night football. The display shelves of sports memorabilia draw attention to a collection of all those valuable and unique sports souvenirs. This basement combined with a home workout gym is designed to keep you fit while having fun.

Modern Basement Ideas

A luxurious contemporary basement opens to the movie and media room which showcases a drop round tray ceiling, recessed lights, light tone wood flooring and built-in entertainment center which stretches across one wall and doubles as bookshelves, provides extra storage for games, videos and other entertainment technology. A small pantry area provides convenience for food preparation and storage. Classic neutral colors add a sense of well-being, ease and coziness to the room.

This sophisticated movie and media room proves to be a modern hangout for family and friends. Sleek, wall to wall open shelves cabinetry provides an elegant space for displaying keepsakes and a place for the projector screen, stereo, DVD player and other media equipment. Dark walls, comfortable leather movie seats are great for a movie night.

This plush basement home theater features a comfortable and stylish lounge seats, classic wall lights, black patterned carpet flooring, dark gray walls and patterned red ceiling; where guests’ movie room experience is elegantly superb. Home theater ideas such as this can be the perfect way to utilize a basement to transform it to a room the entire family can enjoy.

Cool and cozy contemporary basement feature an oversized modular sectional sofa seat is a perfect spot to cuddle and relax or host a sleep over party. Drum pendant lights adds style to this small, snug living space.

Pictures of Finished Basements

This man cave basement transformation features a wet bar with bar stools where snacks and drinks can be served while enjoying shows on multiple TV screens. Perfect place to host a Super Bowl Party! Open shelves and cabinetry with granite countertop provides more storage and preparation area. Adjacent sitting lounge is a great place to relax and catch up with the latest happenings with family and friends. Check out this page for more man cave ideas for the home.

This custom basement home bar design features a small kitchen for convenience in preparing food along with other appliances, sink and wine fridge – perfect for entertaining family guests. Dark tone cabinetry in Shaker style is balanced with the matchstick glass backsplash and light neutral shade of walls, stone tile flooring and carpet.

This beautiful luxurious wine cellar basement with dining table is a haven for wine lover homeowners and their guest to enjoy and unwind. This wine cellar innovation is an efficient and proper way to store and keep vintage wine collection. Traditional custom made cabinetry with natural wood finish is the best choice for this wine cellar; it is designed to prevent airborne contaminants to spoil those vintage wines. The coffered ceiling with recessed lights, crystal chandelier and patterned flooring complete the traditional rustic style.

This contemporary custom home bar basement features a seating lounge, a custom built mid-sized wine cellar and a dining space which doubles as tasting area. This wine cellar is built perfectly and efficiently not having direct sunlight. Its glass swing-out doors help maintain the correct temperature needed for wines to age and reach perfection.

Wine requires proper storage, and transforming basements into wine cellar is putting this extra living space of your house in to good use. Choose wood which are good in quality having resistance to rot and decay, durable and requires only a mineral oil finish; such as redwood, mahogany, walnut or cypress. Stone floors are the excellent flooring system you can install for your basement wine cellars because they are strong and durable. Granite countertop is a good combination as well.

Create a restful retreat with a cottage inspired basement with a built-in wood bench and a cozy bed nook. Cool neutral color scheme of tan, pale blue, cream and white combined with minimal furnishings gives this area a warm and welcoming ambiance. For small finished bedroom ideas a built in bench that can be converted in to a bed with under cabinet storage is a great space saver and can increase the home’s value.

Create your own sports and hobby museum is the coolest thing to do with a basement. This eclectic basement is furnished with an antique wood boat which is showcased as the main focal point of this basement. A home bar and seating lounge are perfect addition of functional space which make entertaining more fun.

 

Finished basement made use of existing materials and transformed it into an elegant basement living room. Painted concrete floors and concrete hollow blocks walls are painted in classic white and cool gray. Exposed beams are furnished with industrial lights which provide ample lights to the room. Comfy, soft upholstered sofas and accent chair in neutral colors adds coziness, perfect place to sit back and relax. Splash of patterns and colors from the area rug, accent chair and throw pillows gives a warm and welcoming ambiance.

A traditional living room basement with a cool shade of lime color is perfect balance for the neutral shades of brown for the carpet, kitchen cabinetry, exposed beams, window treatment, door and other wooden furniture. The kitchenette is without an island. But has a corner home bar to give way to the large black leather sectional sofa which is perfect for movie night fun.

This practice basement room is haven for the music lovers, a retreat to express yourself through music and perfect place for a much-needed privacy and band practice. Complete with drum set, keyboard and a collection of different types of guitars, are instruments which make it possible for beautiful songs to be composed and played to the musician’s heart content.

This lovely, feminine and elegant basement with living room is a tranquil retreat for the women of the house. Large, soft and comfortable sectional couch with round coffee table is perfect for those ladies’ get-together parties.

This classic transitional lounge basement which doubles as a movie hub features corrugated steel wall paneling and exposed ceiling giving this basement its rustic appeal. The fully upholstered sofa and arm chairs are so comfortable, it gives balance to the feel of steel.

This luxury home gym basement is perfect for the whole family’s fitness hub. This is a great idea to make the best use of that extra space and keep in tip-top shape at the same time. A fully equip workout area features a weight bench, treadmill, exercise bikes and other fitness accessories makes it very convenient way to lose those unwanted weights in the comfort of your home.

Working out from the convenience of your home is not impossible to be achieved.  Did you know that home exercise equipment is smaller than its commercial fitness center counterpart?  So, these equipment takes up less space in this multi-use basement home gym, which doubles as a yoga studio.  Exposed beams with track light gives this room an industrial inspired theme.

This luxury sauna and marble shower is a stunning add on to your home basement transformation. After a stressful day at the office or for a relaxing private retreat, this is a perfect place to unwind and help loosen up those tired and aching muscles. This sophisticated steam room sauna and walk-in shower which feature custom wood treatment, marble and tile walls will automatically increase the value of your home and property.

This custom-made basement wood sauna brings recreation and relaxation to a new level. A great new way to spend leisure time entertaining friends and have fun. An innovative and healthy way to relax and unwind in the comforts of your home.

A luxurious modern basement home features a custom bowling alley room with two regulation size lanes, automatic Brunswick pinsetter machines, automatic lane cleaning/conditioning machine, secondary ball return storage rack, projection screen at the end of the lanes, medium tone wood plank flooring, wooden transition strip is incorporated onto the flush-mounted lane surface, different colored neon lights are installed on the walls adding a more modern accent , a mini bar and state of the arts swivel chairs.

Featuring a stripped indoor tepee, neutral colored accent wall filled with memorabilia combined with a wood textured wall finish, another accent wall with wall paper depicting a night sky full of stars, wall to wall carpet, cozy couch and geometric patterns for the throw pillow. This basement playroom with a specialized native American Indian theme is what this black and white lovely kid’s playroom is all about.

A whimsical castle inspired playroom features a mural painted walls and ceiling showing the entire kingdom. This “tower” can also function as a reading nook by installing carpet flooring, adding some throw and floor pillows which creates a perfect reading spot and a fun place to play, imagine, get creative and just “enjoy the view”.

“Seize the Day” with this small basement makeover which feature a kitchen with shiplap wood cabinetry, butcher block countertop, white paneled wall, overhead open shelving, carpet flooring and a neutral color scheme.

Don’t be afraid to use the Force.  Inspired by the timeless Star Wars movie, this basement room features memorabilia of the Star Wars characters in the movie.  This elegant scheme of beige walls, light tone hardwood floors and a stone fireplace is a perfect fit for a movie fanatic with a trendy taste for design.

By using turf instead of carpet and a height of 3000mm, this game room basement features a full swing Golf Simulator, and a place with enough space to allow for swing practice. This trendy indoor sport is a good idea for a basement transformation for homeowners to entertain guests. Indeed, this basement room with virtual golf practice driving range can be a man cave for golfers.

Who wouldn’t stop and look at those wonderful fishes, as guests walk into this remodeled basement. This huge wall aquarium adds a splash of color, depth and a trendy style to this basement. A seating area gives a warm and welcoming feeling.

 

This contemporary basement media room features a living room with comfortable long brown leather couch with tufted ottoman; multiple TV screens are perfect when watching movies on a weekday evening or weekend, or watching your favorite sports live. Components and other things are tucked away in the custom-built cabinets below.  Neutral, monotone colors and layout scheme makes the basement hangout open and bright.

Elegantly designed finished basement which features an arched entry leading to the home bar is an inspiration for a timeless European style design.  Light tone cabinetry provides more additional storage space.  Granite countertop blends well with the whole color scheme.  Neutral colored patterned ceramic tile flooring works well with the whole design scheme.

A sophisticated media room featuring an open plan layout design scheme features a kitchenette and bar for entertaining, a light one wood cabinetry is designed for extra storage space and at the same time doubles as an entertainment area and a working/study corner. The fireplace serves as a focal piece and makes this room warm and cozy together with the cool neutral shades of brown and tan.

Creating a space that works, this rustic wood basement with a game table centered in front of the home bar for entertaining guests, friends and other family members. Stone flooring, wood wainscot panel and custom-built railings, cabinetry and bar counter in medium tone wood finish, carpet covered stairs and flooring provides a warm and welcoming feel. See more basement flooring ideas on this gallery page.

53 Awesome Basement Ideas [2021 Inspiration Guide]

When you think of your basement do cold concrete and cardboard boxes come to mind? They shouldn’t. One look at these lower level man cave retreats and you’ll want your own.

From traditional lounge couches to pricey pads with their own bowling alleys, a basement can be home to just about anything you can imagine.

If you’ve been considering a basement remodel these top notch design ideas will surely help. You’ll find an oasis of entertainment rooms, wet bars, and much more. All of which make for a great addition to virtually any home.

Interestingly enough, there’s a neat study by Sam Gosling, a professor from the University of Austin, Texas. In it he explains that a dedicated man cave, or basement retreat for that matter, is good for any man’s emotional well-being.

Of course, finishing your basement can be a lifesaver too when it comes to tornadoes.

Basements can be a dreary, dark place. They can be cold and wet, and remind you more of a medieval dungeon than a warm place to toast with friends. If done right, however, a basement renovation can tear the scary off of the walls and create one of the most amazing living spaces your home will ever see.

We’ve broken these awesome basement spaces up into categories so you can hone in on what looks good to you. Grab a drink, have a seat, and dig into these great home basement design ideas. 

1. Basement Bar Ideas

What better place to enjoy a few drinks with your friends than under your own roof? Sure, your living room and kitchen will work, but a space dedicated to good spirits drinking good spirits is even better.

There are some finer points you should pay attention to when you’re creating your own below-grade watering hole. While you don’t have to spend tens of thousands of dollars, you do want the space to look good and feel even better. There are ways to accomplish this on a budget, but they’ll take some work. Sometimes you can find what you’re looking for by checking classified sites like Facebook or Craigslist.

Remember though, bars are really just assemblies of cabinets. Some basic carpentry skills should get you on your way to building your own custom bar that not only meets your needs but also fits your space exactly.

We’ve put together some shots of amazing home-bars for you to take some style cues from. It’s perfectly fine to pull a few ideas from different pictures, but also challenge yourself to come up with some of your own. This is your personal pub so make sure you put your spin on it.

 

2.

Basement Ideas for Sports Fans

Let’s face it: Sports fans get excited. We yell, we carry on, we get passionate. We love our team and we turn our noses up at our rivals. There’s something very personal about a sports fan and his team.

 

A basement is a perfect place for a sports fan to call the shots, and there are so many ways to do it. You can choose your favorite team’s color for furnishings and wall paints. You could frame your favorite jerseys and incorporate them into the theme. You might even get one of those cheesy football helmet telephones. Whatever your favorite sport or team is, accessorizing the fan-cave is essential.

Even more important than fan gear is one item: The flatscreen. The TV is king in all sports fan haunts. The bigger, the better. The more, the merrier. All the cliches fit here. Whether you want to see your favorite pitcher stare down a batter over the tip of his glove, or track that long pass through the air in the highest resolution possible, you’re going to need a good TV.

Check out these great fan caves for some inspiration, and when you’re ready, check out these Samsung TVs available at Walmart.

 

3. Basement Game Room Ideas

There’s no denying that men love games. We like to challenge our closest friends to games of wit, skill, and luck. It’s in our blood, and we’ve been doing it since the dawn of time. Creating a game room in your basement could make it the next battleground for you and your friends to try your hands.

Games of all sorts will fit in when it comes to a basement game room. You can go ultra-traditional and purchase a poker or pool table. Shuffleboards like this Barrington Shuffleboard Table are great options as well, plus they look great pushed up against an empty wall. If you’re going for nostalgia, a home arcade will always draw a few quarters from your friends’ pockets. There’s no greater bragging right than your initials at the top of the high scores list.

The photos that follow should make you want to go all-in on a game room, but you don’t have to spend thousands. Just create a cool space for the guys to challenge each other, and you’ll be happy with the results. Used arcade games can be unbelievably expensive, but you can also build your own arcade cabinets. Get to work and you could be a hosting Space Invaders tournament in no time.

 

4. Basement Billiards Ideas

Pool and billiards deserve their own mention when it comes to basement design ideas. While this is a game of skill and strategy, billiards rooms have a distinctly different feel from your basic game room.

We’re not aware of any good DIY pool table plans, so you’re going to have to shell out the dough for a table. There are some cheap options available like this Fat Cat Trueshot 6’ Pool Table. In general, pool and billiards tables are expensive, so make sure the room you design around it compliments your table as its centerpiece.

Classy touches like hardwood racks are the perfect way to display your expensive cue sticks, so don’t leave them piled up in a corner somewhere to warp. Matching dartboards also look great if your budget allows the extra expense.

You need adequate lighting over the table, but don’t just hang any old fixture over your pride and joy. Consider going a little more premium on this and choosing a light that adds style as well as function.

Take a look at these billiards-style rooms below to get an idea for what you like. Keep in mind, the table draws the lion’s share of the attention in a room like this, so basic finishings for the rest of the room will work and help save the budget from going too far overboard.

5. Rustic Basement Ideas

There may be no better style for a basement renovation than the rustic aesthetic. It lends itself so well to basement spaces that there’s almost no need to look anywhere else for inspiration. The pictures below will make you want to throw a pencil behind your ear and grab some knotty pine paneling.

There are tons of great ways to achieve the perfect rustic look in your basement. If you’ve got the room overhead, dressing up your ceiling can give your basement hang out a cabin-like feel. Further than that, rustic pine flooring (check out Home Depot’s selection) looks amazing stretched out across wide-open spaces, so a basement floor with just a few columns can be the ideal candidate for this look.

There are practical reasons why rustic works so well in basements. Basements are hardly ever perfect. Sometimes the floor slopes or the walls are crooked. Maybe there are some exposed mechanicals that you just can’t hide no matter how hard you try. For these cases, the rustic look can make those problems feel like features.

If you’ve got a challenging space to deal with, consider the rustic aesthetic. These pictures below will appeal to your inner woodsman and provide some inspiration.

6. Sophisticated Basement Ideas

Maybe it’s more likely that you’ll have a few friends over for a quiet night than a Super Bowl party. Maybe you prefer scotch and jazz over beer and nine-ball. If that’s the case, consider designing a basement space that you can retreat to with a good book or your favorite album.

The important features of a sophisticated basement space are actually pretty simple. You should have some refreshments easily at hand, and comfortable furniture arranged in such a way that conversation is easy.

Avoid loud colors and keep technology limited to the essentials. While being able to dim your lights and enjoy surround sound is sophisticated, the blue ring flashing on your DVR and the hum of your wifi router don’t feel quite as refined.

That being said, these basements don’t have to be boring. Consider taking the time to learn some finish carpentry skills and install some wainscoting or a tres ceiling. Look to some of the pictures below to get an idea of what you can do with your basement space.

7. Basement Theater Ideas

If basements were designed for only one thing, we think it would be for home theater systems. They’re the perfect places for watching a classic movie with surround-sound audio and dialed-in lighting. The seating can be super comfortable without drawing away from the main part of the home’s design aesthetic. It seems like a good fit to us.

There are other reasons why a basement may be the perfect place for a home theater. When it comes to planning, running your necessary speaker and power wires through an exposed ceiling is so much easier than retrofitting through finished drywall. Also, for the best experience, acoustical wall panels can be used in the theater area to really submerge you in the cinematic world. These panels aren’t always the most attractive wall-types, so hiding them in the basement theater is a perfect balance between form and function.

You can also display all of your favorite memorabilia on the walls. Your Empire Strikes Back poster probably clashes with your living room’s color palette, so you may be better off hanging Luke and the gang downstairs on your basement theater wall.

8. Basement Recreation and Hobby Ideas

Now, this is where things get really creative. If you have a hobby that you’re passionate about, maybe you’ve considered how you can spend more time participating in it without leaving the house. Utilizing your basement for this purpose may provide you that opportunity. Whatever your pleasure, finding a way to expand upon it in your basement would be incredible.

We can’t tell you exactly what you should do with your basement as we don’t know what your hobby of choice might be. The photos below are a pretty good round-up of activities normally reserved for the outdoors, so maybe you can take some inspiration from that.

We’ve got a few shooting range options, some bowling alleys, a pool, a couple of gyms, and even an indoor skate park. While these are all ridiculously cool basement features, they’re also pretty expensive. You may want to try to figure out how to build a space with a design inspired by your hobby with photos and memorabilia. Or, you can build a semi-workshop for your hobby and the equipment it requires.

Peruse through these absurdly cool ideas and see what makes sense for you. You may not have the space for a shooting range but you might find the safe to be an interesting feature. And maybe you don’t have the room to pull off 360-tailwhips in your basement, but you could build a bike repair space for when you realize you can’t do 360-tailwhips outside either.

9. Basement Ideas for Musicians

How do you tone down your rock-and-roll enough to create a sophisticated place to hang out with friends and enjoy yourselves? The pictures below show some really unique ways to display your musical prowess without looking like the backstage of a Motley Crue concert.

If you have a coveted instrument, whether it be a guitar, saxophone, or even a harmonica, building a custom cabinet for it can be the perfect way to show it off. There are several display cabinets throughout the photo array below, so pick one with a style that appeals to you and set out to learn how to build it.

Artwork of your favorite group is also a step up from less-refined tour posters. You can get some album-cover prints like these on Red Bubble and incorporate them into your design can really help it stand out.

One other piece of advice when designing your music-inspired basement space: Get a great stereo. You don’t have to turn it up to 11 to hear the difference between good speakers and great ones. Make sure you can enjoy your music in the most clarity you can afford. You won’t regret buying a great stereo, but you might regret buying a cheap one.

Home Basement FAQs

How much does it cost to finish a 1000 square foot basement?

This all depends on the level of finish you’re looking for in your basement. If you’re looking for builder-basic materials like vinyl flooring and simple trim, you can probably get away with spending around $6 to $7 a square foot. If you’re planning on using premium materials like granite, hardwood, and ornate moldings, the price per square foot could easily climb over $35 to $40.

What should I put in my basement?

Think of how you enjoy spending your time. If you like playing pool, put in a pool table. If you’re a big sports fan, purchase a nice couch and hang a TV on the wall. If you’re a gamer, create a wall of nothing but video games and gear. It’s all about making yourself comfortable in your own basement and enjoying its design.

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Basement finished to include game room, family room, shiplap wall treatment, sliding barn door and matching beam, numerous built-ins, new staircase, home gym, locker room and bathroom in addition to wine bar area.

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Design/Build custom home in Hummelstown, PA. This transitional style home features a timeless design with on-trend finishes and features. An outdoor living retreat features a pool, landscape lighting, playground, outdoor seating, and more.

2020 Artisan Home Tour

Housing First Minnesota

2020 Artisan Home Tour Remodeler: Vujovich, Inc. Photo: Landmark Photography • For questions on this project including features or finishes, please reach out to the remodeler of this home.

Chan Basement

Knight Construction Design Inc.

Inspiration for home comfort: medium-sized neoclassical (modern classic) basement with access to the outside, gray walls and carpet

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

Silverleaf Estates Basement Reno

Bearded Builders

Home Inspiration: Large contemporary basement with access to the outside, white walls, light parquet floors and beige floors without a fireplace

Sports Themed Basement Renovation

Lynn Ronan Design neoclassical (modern classic) with beige walls, laminate flooring and gray floors without a fireplace

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.

Basement Remodel

Meadowlark Design+Build

Photo: Mars Photo and Design © 2017 Houzz. Underneath the basement stairs is the perfect spot for a custom designed and built bed that has lots of storage. The unique stair railing was custom built and adds interest in the basement remodel done by Meadowlark Design + Build.

Mead Point Shingle

Significant Homes LLC

Douglas VanderHorn Architects From grand estates, to exquisite country homes, to whole house renovations, the quality and attention to detail of a "Significant Homes" custom home is immediately apparent. Full time on-site supervision, a dedicated office staff and hand picked professional craftsmen are the team that take you from groundbreaking to occupancy. Every "Significant Homes" project represents 45 years of luxury homebuilding experience, and a commitment to quality widely recognized by architects, the press and, most of all....thoroughly satisfied homeowners. Our projects have been published in Architectural Digest 6 times along with many other publications and books. Though the lion share of our work has been in Fairfield and Westchester counties, we have built homes in Palm Beach, Aspen, Maine, Nantucket and Long Island.

Charles Family Friendly Lower Level

Liston Design Build

Fresh Design Idea: Large Neoclassical (Modern Classic) Basement with Exterior Windows, Home Bar, Gray Walls, Vinyl Flooring and Brown Flooring - Great Interior Photo

TCD Ridgemont

TCD Homes

Original design example of a large neoclassical (modern classic) basement with exterior windows, games room, gray walls and laminate flooring with no fireplace

Interior Renovations

Legacy Contracting LLC

Photo of a medium-sized neoclassical (modern classic) basement with gray walls, laminate flooring, brown floors and exterior windows without a fireplace with

Benefits of a basement elevator | LLC "Elevator"

If you decide to build a private house, then you can't do without a basement. There you can store various necessary and useful things in country life. And you can store food supplies and conservation there.

In any case, going down the steep stairs to the basement with a heavy load is difficult and dangerous. If you often have to go down there and back up, an elevator can make life easier. Is it a luxury or a necessity? Let's figure it out.

What kind of elevator is needed for the basement?

As we said above, frequent descents into the basement with a load is a dubious pleasure. That is, we decided on the need to mount this device in a private house: we need an elevator to the basement. And which one exactly?

Usually a mini lift is used for this, although many people prefer a service lift. There are no special differences in the design of these two lifts: they both weigh quite a bit, can be mounted outside and inside the building, and are cheap to maintain.

The carrying capacity of such devices is up to two centners, the travel height is up to five meters. At the top and bottom points of the movement, such a lift can independently stop. One push of a button - that's the whole elevator control system. Another important point: the elevator can operate from a conventional electrical network of 220 V.

Place for the elevator

The installation of the elevator must be carried out during the construction of the house. So you save a lot of money, time and nerves. Before starting work on installation and assembly, you need to take into account several important points so that you don’t have to redo anything later:

Some owners of private houses make their own elevators. It's great that there are skills and opportunities for this. But if you do not have the necessary knowledge and skills, do not try to do it yourself. Contact specialized companies that install and maintain elevators. So you will definitely get the desired result without violating technology and rules.

Basement elevator safety

How safe is this design? Can it be used without the chance of getting stuck?

Modern elevators are technological and safe designs. Regular inspection, preventive maintenance and repair work eliminates all chances that the elevator will fail. Of course, this is provided that the elevator was installed by specialists.

When installing and assembling the lift yourself, no one but you can guarantee uninterrupted operation and safe operation. So do not risk your health and life. Such serious questions should be trusted to professionals who know their business. Only in this case, the basement elevator will be safe even with daily use.

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