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Home basement ideas


20 valuable ways to convert your space |

(Image credit: Bisca / Future / Simon Brown)

These clever basement ideas will be essential if you are considering transforming an unfinished basement into a habitable zone – or even excavating to create one for a home built without. Converting or decorating a basement so it's a liveable space is a smart way to establish extra square footage – especially if you’ve exhausted the opportunities above ground, or prefer not to build out. 

From spacious living areas, playrooms and home offices, to specialist rooms including home gyms, movie theaters and wine storage, the opportunities for expansion are endless with a basement conversion as part of your whole house design.

Here, we’ve put together basement ideas to inspire your remodel together with expert advice for a successful project.

Basement ideas

While basement ideas can encompass a whole host of different rooms, what’s crucial to all – and to make the most of your basement – is creating sufficient light, dividing up the space successfully if it’s not to be open plan, and making the decor aesthetically pleasing as well as sympathetic to the rest of your home.

1. Prioritize basement lighting

(Image credit: Future)

It's possible that your basement lighting ideas will be compromised by the height of the ceiling, but where you can, design a scheme like you would plan living room lighting. This means considering not just function, but mood and atmosphere, too. 

So, while you might have overhead lighting, whether a stand-out fixture like the one above or simple space-saving spotlights, ensure you install decorative wall lights to make ceilings look higher, bring in table or floor lamps to create warm pools of light around the space, and even highlight architectural features with directional lights.

2. Ensure basement flooring is warm and light-reflecting

(Image credit: Simon Brown)

Basement flooring ideas need to tick many boxes: they need to be tough because it's likely your basement is used for everything from get-togethers to watch sports (think: family room ideas for inspiration) through to storage for all that family clutter you can't find space for upstairs. Basement floors also need to reflect light to make the space feel brighter and bigger; and they need to be warm-toned in order to make the room(s) feel welcoming. 

Ideally you will also choose a surface that runs throughout. Real wood looks beautiful, but engineered wood can be a tougher choice for a space that's newly built. And, like real wood, it can be refinished when it needs updating.

3. Grab as much natural light as you can

(Image credit: Bisca)

One of the most important small basement ideas you can incorporate into your design at early stages is to increase natural light. This is best done by lighting the basement with toplight – via roof windows, glazed exterior panels or even open trends and glass balustrades on your basement staircase. 

Choosing a light paint color for walls helps, too. ‘Prioritize creating a light and bright environment so it’s a place you want to be,’ says Andi Morse, founder and principal designer, Morse Design .

It's also particularly important when you are considering basement office ideas.

4. Install a light well

(Image credit: Maison Vanentina)

Glazed light wells, which can sit within a deck, patio or simply within the backyard, will bring in top light to a basement, and allow you to expand the basement's floor space beyond the footprint of the house. Or you can opt to have an interior light well, positioned near to a window on the ground floor of your home. 

Around three times brighter than side light, top light will flood basements with light, and allow you to use the walls for other purposes – whether to house a luxury bathroom, as here, for simply for storage. 

5. Use reflective surfaces

(Image credit: David Lovatti)

As well as boosting light levels, decorating with mirrors can enhance small spaces with low ceilings, so they are a real bonus for small basements. 

'Don't limit mirrors to basement bathrooms – they are a bonus in bedrooms and especially hallways and other narrow spaces where there may be no natural light at all,' advises Lucy Searle, Homes & Gardens' Editor in Chief.

6. Be creative with basement storage ideas

(Image credit: Future Publishing Ltd Photograph: Jan Baldwin)

Basement bedrooom ideas and storage needs to be well thought-out. If you have little floor space within a games' room or living space, built in storage, such as shelving, cupboards with space-efficient sliding doors or beneath lift up lids in seating are all great options. In bedrooms that are only used by guests, you can swap closet space for peg rails, but invest in a storage bed beneath which you can hide everything from spare linen to out of season clothes.

7. Make it a fun space

(Image credit: Charles Cunliffe Architects/David O.Marlow)

Planning a basement conversion is a great way to add the fun-to-have spaces to a home that you can’t sacrifice space to on the first floor. This remodel by Aspen, Colorado based Charles Cunniffe Architects transformed what was a mechanical and crawl space into a large family room with a bar, billiards and game room, plus a glazed wine store.

Bear in mind that you may need to create extra head height for a successful basement remodel. Here, the levels of the home were dropped by two feet to provide adequate ceiling heights in the basement. 

8. Install a basement bar 

(Image credit: Cult Furniture)

One of the most fun basement ideas (bar none) is a basement bar. Combine it with a games' room and you have the perfect family – and friends – hangout space. 

If you are going to install a bar in a basement, ensure there's an exit in case of fire, that ventilation is good, and that lighting has been designed in layers so that you can conjure up just the right atmosphere.

9. Opt for a playroom

(Image credit: Lyn's Design Style/Radion Photography)

If your basement ideas include creating dedicated space for kids to play – plus valuable room for toy storage – follow the lead of this project.

Boise-based design practice Lyn’s Design Style created a kids’ play zone for the family’s youngest two children, aged three and five. Packed with fun playroom ideas, the space provides a cozy nook for fun and games with the separate door and window making their space more of a feature within the living area. 

10. Boost the usefulness of a basement 

(Image credit: One Seed Architecture and Design/Janis Nicolay)

Consider grouping the super-useful and desirable spaces of a home in the basement to keep the first floor uncluttered, cleaner and quieter. We're talking devoting your space to mudroom ideas, laundry room ideas – even a kids' games room.

Designed by Vancouver-based One Seed Architecture + Design , this sleek basement accommodates a mudroom/entry, and laundry room. There’s a home gym, too, that keeps exercise equipment out of living spaces or bedrooms.

11. Brighten up the basement

(Image credit: Unique Home Construction)

Take advantage of basement ideas that will make it a light and airy part of your home. ‘The goal is to maximize ventilation, natural light and sense of connection with the outdoors,’ says James Burrell of Burrell Architects . ‘You may be able to cut back the floor above to introduce light, cut a light well all the way through the house,  or install a glass ceiling to borrow light from windows above.’

However, if the design of your home precludes these strategies, or your budget doesn’t stretch, opt for decor that will make it feel bright and open. For this subterranean space in Seattle by Unique Home Construction a bright white finish was chosen for the walls, while the ceiling joints and lumber have been left exposed and finished in matt black, increasing the feeling of height. Finished with glistening fairy lights, this shows the creativity that can be had for basement ceiling ideas.

12. Create clever space dividers

(Image credit: Mode 4 Architecture/David Meaux)

It’s possible to divide up a basement to create different zones without detracting from the open feel of the space. 

Designed by MODE4 Architecture , this basement remodel uses a two-sided open bookcase to separate the main living space from the back hall and utility areas. The project was driven by the family’s need for a space that could serve as a chill-out zone for teenagers, and a guest suite for friends and family to stay. 

13. Think texture

(Image credit: Best Practice Architecture/Ed Sozinho)

Add decorative interest to a basement remodel by opting for different textures. When Seattle-based Best Practice Architecture transformed the basement of this 1912 home into a bright and spacious family area most of the walls were painted white to enhance the airy feeling of the space, while portions of exposed brick wall and the exposed overhead timber ceiling add warmth and contrast to the space.

14. Introduce windows to a basement

(Image credit: VFA Architecture and Design/Scott Norsworthy)

Introducing windows as part of your basement ideas is highly desirable. ‘Add new windows to bring in as much natural light as possible,’ advises Sean Barnett, owner and principal architect at Portland-based Polymath Studio Architecture . ‘This is the most effective way to make your basement feel like it’s no longer a basement, but rather a comfortable, inviting part of your home.’

For the basement of this Toronto home by VFA Architecture + Design , the rear yard was stepped to create a sunken courtyard. The lower grade allowed for larger windows, channeling more natural light into the basement. Previously mainly used for storage purposes, it’s now a light-filled playroom. 

15. Benefit from the peace

(Image credit: Beige and Bleu/Tamara Flanagan)

Its separation from the rest of the home makes the basement an ideal venue for home office ideas or a study space for kids that’s quiet and away from the distractions and hustle and bustle of the other stories.

The basement in this Boston home was designed by Beige & Bleu and caters for a family of teenage girls, providing a space for them to study together with a lounge area separate from the rest of the house.

16. Boost the number of bathrooms

(Image credit: Webber Studio/Chloe Gilstrap, Jake Holt)

If you plan to incorporate a basement bedroom or guest annex in the basement, it makes sense to add a basement bathroom for convenience and ease of access.  

‘I usually recommend a full bath in the basement so you can shower after a workout or wash the dog in the basement, for example,’ says Liz Caan, founder and principal at Liz Caan & Co , a Massachusetts-based design firm. 

Bear in mind, of course, that this will require extra electrical and plumbing work and will therefore drive up overall project costs. 

This master bathroom was added to the lower level of this Freedman’s Cottage home in Austin, Texas. The original property was extended significantly as part of the remodel by Webber + Studio . The bathroom is filled with light thanks to the installation of floor to ceiling glazing to the rear of the property.

17. Work a small space

(Image credit: Hoedemaker Pfeiffer/Haris Kenjar)

Even a tiny basement can become a luxurious and functional addition to a home. In this basement renovation by Seattle-based Hoedemaker Pfeiffer , the long neglected cold storage space beneath the porch of the house was re-purposed and transformed into a contemporary wine room. Built-in joinery has been incorporated to maximize every inch of space.

18. Build out from the basement

(Image credit: Granit Architects/Andrew Beasley)

It’s worth contemplating building out as part of a basement remodel, creating a connection to the outside and simultaneously bringing in extra daylight. In this London home, Granit Architects designed a glazed double height space that ensures the basement kitchen diner is filled with natural light.

19. Select characterful materials 

(Image credit: Maximilian Hurley Construction/Tony Colangelo)

The palette of materials used to finish a basement can create a link with the remainder of your home. In this basement renovation Maximilian Huxley Construction restored the lower level of the 1903 home from two separate suites into one shared family space. 

The project was respectful of the home’s 1903 origins, and has incorporated reclaimed wood floors, countertops, shelving, stair treads and paneling. Exposed steel beams and masonry elements give the space on industrial feel.

20. Avoid blocking light

(Image credit: Future Publishing Ltd Photograph: Jonathan Gooch)

Think about fitting a glass balustrade to basement stair ideas to keep the light flowing freely through the space. Other strategies to ensure it’s light-filled? ‘Keep the space as open plan as possible to allow the available natural light to flow through the room,’ advises Kieron Bell of Kitchens International .

If the basement is the location for a kitchen, use the areas with the most light for the cooking and dining areas where you will spend most of your time, and those furthest from the natural light for ancillary rooms, such as laundry areas, pantries and storage. Glass partitions, rather than solid walls, will ensure the best light flow through the space.

What should I put in my basement?

A basement can provide space for many different rooms. You might want to consider making it a more relaxed living room while the main living room remains a more formal space. It could also be playroom for the kids, or a home library.

‘If your basement has a separate entrance, consider the uses and the flexibility this can provide,’ suggests Liz Caan. ‘Maybe a guest suite would be nice, an au pair area, a home office, or a media gaming room?'

If you plan to incorporate a bedroom or guest annex in the basement, it makes sense to add a bathroom for convenience and ease of access. 

Other uses to which a basement can be put are as a laundry room, mudroom, or maybe a space for crafts. Think about including a kitchen, or kitchenette to make entertaining easy, adding a basement bar, or creating a wine cellar.

What adds most value to a basement?

'To add the most value to your basement, you really need to think about what your home currently lacks. So, if it has no guest space or a guest bath upstairs, adding this into the basement will give you the best return on your investment,' says Lucy Searle, Editor in Chief, Homes & Gardens.  

'Equally, if you lack a family or rec room or home office, these will be a good choice, as would a laundry space or a wall of storage that can free up space upstairs. If, however you are adding a basement to your home as a bonus because your house is really well equipped, it's a great idea to add a space that future buyers can see as a lifestyle bonus, whether a home gym or wellness space, for example.

'What else can add value to a basement? Think: good lighting, well-planned, neat-looking storage, quality flooring and furniture that's well chosen to suit the space's layout.'

How much does it cost to finish a 1000 sq ft basement?

Basement conversion costs or a finishing project is largely determined by the space you’re starting out with. However, to finish a 1,000 square foot basement, you might expect to pay from around $20,000. 

However, there is an enormous range in costs. ‘It really depends on the amount of clean-up work required; for example, the relocation of existing utilities and things like the addition of a bathroom or kitchenette,’ says Christopher Tucker, principal/owner at MODE4 Architecture , a design practice based in Alexandria, Virginia.  

If your existing basement is unfinished, it’s likely that you’re working with a space that’s completely open. Putting in partition walls to zone off bedrooms and bathrooms is an addition that will drive the price up. 

Jobs that involve moving the plumbing or incorporating additional structural elements, such as digging down to create more height, add to overall costs, too. 

The cost of specialty rooms is another key consideration. Incorporating a movie theater, for instance, will require custom AV work and potentially extra sound insulation. It’s important to consider all these factors from the outset so you can get a realistic budget plan drawn up. The materials you choose will also influence costs. 

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor. Previously executive editor of Ideal Home, she’s specialized in interiors, property and gardens for over 20 years, and covers interior design, house design, gardens, and cleaning and organizing a home for H&G. She’s written for websites, including Houzz, Channel 4’s flagship website, 4Homes, and Future’s T3; national newspapers, including The Guardian; and magazines including Future’s Country Homes & Interiors, Homebuilding & Renovating, Period Living, and Style at Home, as well as House Beautiful, Good Homes, Grand Designs, Homes & Antiques, LandLove and The English Home among others. It’s no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house renovator. 

30 Basement Remodeling Ideas & Inspiration

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While basements get a bad rap at times, if built finished out or remodeled later on, they actually offer a wealth of extra living space for many purposes and activities. For instance, a media room, living room, wine cellar, wet bar, gym, office, playroom, man's cave, laundry and guest room are all popular choices for basement spaces. If you are lucky enough to live in an area where basements are a commonly built element of most homes, you may just be sitting on a myriad of abundant new living possibilities! We've included some of our favorite basement remodeling ideas and images below. Which do you like best?

For those that love to entertain, this funky basement bar is the answer.

The basement can also be a great place for your wine storage>.

This basement space shows it doesn’t take a lot of square feet to create a wine cellar of stellar proportions.



Multi-activity space such as this are a terrific way to make the most out of a basement. Parents can watch kids at play while working out in the home gym.




The dome-shaped ceiling opens up this media room basement . The fireplace under the media screen offers ambiance.



Accent chairs play an important role here, both visually and practically. The lightweight designs are movable – face them toward the TV stand to share a movie with friends, pull them into a circle for card games, or place in casual groupings for conversation. Even the ottoman can become an impromptu seat if needed.

This basement media room/family room combination provides the perfect spot to gather with family and friends. The decor is natural and pleasing to the eye.

Vibrant pops of color bring this basement living space to life.


Fresh cilantro and inky black make an impact against rustic wood elements in this attractive basement living space remodel.


Sliding doors and lots of windows provide much needed light in a basement living space. The white walls and furniture also contribute to the brightness of the room.








Forget the days of unfinished laundry rooms in dark, damp basements, who wouldn’t love doing laundry in these spaces?




Game rooms such as this are a popular room option for many basements especially when the man of the house yearns for a man cave to call his own.


The basement is a perfect spot to tuck away a bedroom for extra privacy for guests and homeowners alike.


Cellars - 55 Best Basement & Basement Photo Design Ideas

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 is the latest trend

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

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. nine0007

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. nine0007

U N I Q U E

Home-inspired country-style basement with exterior windows, beige walls, carpet and beige flooring

Apple Valley Lower Level

Molly Howe Design basement design
Photography Alys0sa

medium size country style with exterior windows, white walls, carpet, standard fireplace, tiled fireplace front and beige floor

Smart Playrooms

Smart Playrooms

Kids' playroom - modern kids' room idea in Rye, New York - Houzz
Photo: modern basement

Family Basement

Dignan Construction, LLC

Family room in a finished basement with custom entertainment center built-in and electric fireplace. Crown molding and LED light strips line the tray ceiling which hide the structural beams and ductwork. The bright lighting and hard ceiling remove the sense of being in a basement. Photo Credit: John Benford Photography

Vista Greene Model Spec Home

Viking Custom Homes

Fresh design idea: a large classic style basement with access to the outside, gray walls, carpet and beige floors without a fireplace - a great photo of the interior

Eagan Lower Level

Molly Howe Design

Alyssa Lee Photography
Original design example of a mid-size modernist underground basement with gray walls and carpeted floors

How to furnish a basement: 11 great ideas and implementations | 5domov.ru

The interior space of a basement or basement floor can be used for a wide variety of needs: a basement is usually intended for housing, a gym, a garage, a workshop or a laundry room; in the basement pantries for storing food and vegetables or a glacier will fit perfectly. There are more than enough opportunities for placing a utility room in a private house - it all depends on the owners.

Contents:

Using the basement as a pantry

The basement is quite suitable for storing household items, food, work and seasonal clothing, tools, sports equipment (skis, sleds), baby strollers, bicycles and more. others

Using the basement as a pantry

Such a pantry significantly frees the house from bulky things; the rooms become less street dirt and dust. You should think in advance about the placement of utility cabinets in it. Cabinets can be made built-in, with natural ventilation. It is connected to a kitchen or oven smoke ventilation duct. The lower part of the door of the ventilated cabinet is equipped with holes for air inflow. Typically, such holes are drilled in place or do not bring the door leaf to the bottom by about 10-15 cm.

Ventilation at the bottom of the door

If you want to store various foodstuffs in the basement, it is better to place them in special utility cabinets located against the outer wall and equipped with natural ventilation. Potatoes, vegetables, fruits, pickles, marinades and other supplies can be stored here all winter. Usually such cold storage rooms are located on the north side of the house . To enhance the thermal insulation, the walls around the perimeter are covered with sawdust or pasted over with tiled insulation, which is covered with sheathing from boards. The pantry is maintained at a low temperature with ice. From the side of the house, a cold, unheated room should adjoin the wall (figure below). nine0003 Device in the house of a cold pantry: 1 - ice chamber; 2 - metal sheet of the wall; 3 - a cabinet for products; 4 - shelves; 5 - racks; 6 - supply of firewood (for stove or fireplace heating)

Various simple adjustment devices are used to provide the pantry with fresh air. Thanks to them, you can get an additional refrigerator of impressive size inside the house. Ventilation is carried out at the expense of an additional attached box or pipe. You can arrange two additional ventilation ducts (supply and exhaust) in the main internal wall and bring them to the roof or attic. Channels made in a brick wall, as a rule, have a section of 140 x 140 mm. nine0003

Shelves in pantries are made of wood and its derivatives; plywood, chipboard and fiberboard. The simplest rack (figure below) is a structure consisting of metal or wooden racks, to which wooden or thick plywood shelves are attached. If desired, the side surfaces of the rack are limited by sides. You can make the sides through.

Rack for storage of products and equipment: a - welding unit; b, in connection nodes; 1 - wooden stand with a section of 20 X 50 mm, height 1600-2700 mm; 2 - a rack of pipes or round fittings with a height of 1500-2500 mm; 3 - a wooden shelf measuring 20 X 200 mm, length 800-1200 mm; 4 - a side made of plywood 4 mm thick

If the racks are made of metal, then they need to be welded; wooden ones are easy to make yourself. Racks are attached to the wall with the help of plugs pre-hammered into the wall. Installation of shelves with racks is carried out using metal hooks. Before installation, metal and wooden parts are sanded and coated with nitro enamel.

The specified dimensions are, as it were, basic, basic. If desired, the dimensions of the rack can be changed both up and down. It can occupy the entire wall, passing along the entire room, or stand in the corner. nine0003

Storing food in the cellar

Before storing fruits and vegetables in the cellar, make sure that they lie for about a week in a well-ventilated area. Such a measure will allow preparing products for long-term storage, while possible cuts and damage to the surfaces of vegetables and fruits are tightened with a crust.

After a week's exposure, the harvest (or purchased stock) is carefully placed indoors.

Storage of food in the cellar

There is a certain loading rule that should be followed as far as possible: vegetables are placed along the air flow - from inflow to outflow. Large items are laid out first : cabbages, watermelons, pumpkins, large zucchini, etc. Then something smaller is placed - apples, pears, eggplants, etc. Potatoes and onions are added at the very end.

Construction of a garage in the basement

If desired, a garage can be placed under the roof of a house with a basement or basement: this is convenient and saves building space. There are a number of requirements and rules for the construction of garages that everyone who builds a garage in their home should know. nine0003 Garage in the basement of the house

Garage with brick walls is the most practical and convenient, as the walls are built simultaneously with the foundation and the walls of the house itself. The thickness of the outer walls of the garage is assigned the same in alignment with the walls laid out at the level of 0.000 m.

The most common garages have external dimensions of 5.5 x 4 (3.85) m. 1) or have one pair shifted for the convenience of bringing the machine to one of the walls (Fig. 2). nine0003 Fig. 1. Diagram of a garage plan with a through gate (location option in the basement) at a mark of 2.30 m 2. Garage with a gate, a gate and a viewing hole. Plan at the mark - 1.5 m (location option in the basement of the house; 1 - gate; 2 - brick pillar (to increase stability), 3 - glass block window; 4 - gate; 5 - workbench; 6 - viewing hole

Floor in the garage they are made of concrete or ceramic tiles ("How and from what to make the floors in the basement"). You can make them mastic. To ensure the flow of water and coasting out of the garage, the floors in the garage are arranged with a slope towards the gate. Near the entrance they put a workbench with a vise and drawers for tools.In order not to lose the keys, a board is hung above the workbench to store keys and other tools.A bucket and cans are placed under the workbench.It remains to install a box of sand, a fire extinguisher and a shovel.

The garage is ventilated using ducts located in the internal bearing wall of the house and grouped together with the rest of the ducts. They are taken out in brickwork to the attic or roof. The number of channels is determined by the project.

Garage ventilation. 1 - air direction, 2 - ventilation ducts in the wall of the house, 3 - ventilation duct.

Often a viewing hole is arranged in the garage. This is not always advisable, since evaporation and condensate from temperature changes have a negative effect on the metal parts of the machine and cause them to corrode. It is recommended to make a pit only in those soils where the groundwater level is 2.5-3 m below the planning mark of the earth.

Garage ventilation with basement

Among other things, the garage is equipped with lighting, power supply, a water inlet with a valve and a fitting for connecting a hose.

Baths in the basement

Baths are divided into Russian and Finnish (sauna). In Russian they wash, and in the sauna they only steam. The sauna is constantly maintained in a dry hot atmosphere: there is no need to periodically pour water on the stones to create steam. Heating is carried out using electricity or wood. nine0003 Sauna in the basement

The inner surface of the walls is upholstered with a wooden frame, to which sheets of roofing paper or roofing material are attached with the sheets overlapping at least 10 cm. Then this layer of roofing sheet is additionally sheathed with boards.

Sauna installation in the basement

When installing a sauna, heat-reflecting screens are used, which create the effect of a thermos. Screens are usually made of aluminum foil. For air circulation under the boards, vertical holes are provided for the entire height of the room. nine0003 Sauna vapor barrier with aluminum foil

The sauna bath can have the following dimensions: 215 x 215 mm for 5-6 people, 215 x 165 mm for 3-4 people and 165 x 115 mm for 1-2 people. The height of the room from floor to ceiling is assumed to be 2 ~ 2.3 m (Fig. 3.1 and 3.2.).

Fig. 3.1. Dimensional diagrams of rooms for baths of different capacities. 3.2. Dimensional diagrams of rooms for baths of different capacities (continued): 1 - electric heater; 2 - heater fencing; 3 - shelves; 4 - vent hole

The floor and shelves for taking steam baths are arranged in the room, a heater is arranged (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4. Electric heater: 1 - asbestos-cement plate; 2 - case, 3 - Tubular electric heater; 4 - outer casing; 5 - ventilation holes; 6 - fireplace; 7 - electric cable.

The heater is installed on an asbestos-cement slab at a distance of at least 100 cm from the wall. The furnace wiring consists of a four-wire cable in a metal protective tube. Protection and control equipment is taken out to the dressing room. The furnace body is grounded, and the heating device is enclosed with a wooden barrier. nine0003 Electric heater with wooden barrier

Steam bath shelves (fig. 5.1 and 5.2) are made of pine and spruce wood. Aromatic substances contained in wood are released at elevated temperature and humidity, create a unique smell and have bactericidal properties.

Fig. 5.1. Shelves for taking steam baths: 1 - top shelf; 2 - handrail; 3 - crossbar for legs; 4 - middle shelfFig. 5.2. Shelves for taking steam baths (continued): 5 - plank floor; 6 - wall bars for fastening shelves

In the sauna floor, water is drained through a ladder to a sewer pipe or into a filter well, which is located no closer than 3 m from the foundation of the bath. Drains are removed into a concrete tank-ladder. The pipe is raised 10 cm from the bottom. It is desirable that the ladder has a grate to retain debris. The water drain pipe is closed with a metal plate (Fig. 6). The floors are waterproof, made of concrete or clay, with a slope towards the pit. If the floors are concrete, then removable wooden gratings are placed on top of them. nine0003 Fig. 6. Drainage in the sauna

Plank floors are also arranged in the sauna, but here, in addition to the main layers of the floor, waterproofing must be present. It is arranged from rolled materials - roofing felt, roofing material.

Drainage in the sauna with wooden floors

The ceiling above the sauna can be made of reinforced concrete multi-hollow slabs (with mandatory waterproofing of the first floor floor) or wooden beams made of dry wood. A shield roll is laid along the beams. The shields are lubricated with a clay-sand solution and a layer of roofing is covered. A backfill is made on top with a layer of slag with a thickness of at least 20 cm. If a sauna is built near one of the outer walls of the house, then in the wall, at the level of the basement, air is arranged - small windows measuring 150 x 150 mm. They are necessary to ventilate the space between the floor layers of the ground floor rooms located above the sauna. nine0003 Sauna in the basement

Sauna doors are made on dowels from boards with selected quarters. To avoid swelling of the canvas, it is made 5 mm less than the distance between the side folds of the box. It is better to make the threshold high - 20-30 cm from the floor. Door height 170-180 cm.

Laundry room in the basement

In the basement next to the pantry, workshop or garage, a place is often allocated for a laundry room and a dryer (in winter), which is very convenient and saves time for the hostess. The same room is used for bathing. Thus, a person who has returned from work, without entering the main premises, can take a shower or bath. nine0003 Laundry room in the basement

The necessary equipment of such a room should consist of a shower tray, sink, bathtub, gas or solid fuel water heater. A separate place should be allocated for the washing machine. In the floor it is necessary to make a ladder to drain the used water into the sewer. The floors in the laundry room are preferably made of ceramic tiles, which are very convenient to use. The walls are also covered with ceramic tiles.

Laundry in the basement

Workshop in the basement

Every owner or hostess dreams of having a workshop in his house. The room can be located both in the basement and in the basement.

Here you can do your favorite things without harming others: soldering, tinning, assembling microcircuits for receivers or transistors, carpentry, sawing, planing. Many keep real workshops in the basement: pottery, chasing, wood and stone carving, giving all their free minutes to their favorite pastime; someone likes long vigils in the darkroom. nine0003 Workshop in the basement

Regardless of the purpose, all workshops must be equipped with the necessary fixtures and various shelves. For those who like to do locksmithing and carpentry, it is recommended to make a workbench with a vise.

There are locksmith and carpentry workbenches. The joinery is more versatile, since, in addition to the main ones, it also allows for locksmith operations.

The industry produces so-called complete workbenches, on which almost all operations can be performed. At home, you can get by with a simple workbench. nine0003 A simple workbench in a cellar workshop

The sizes of workbenches and workbench boards are chosen according to one's taste. The height is set from the condition of providing the worker with maximum comfort and minimum physical effort. If the middle of the palms of the lowered hands of a standing person is at the level of the plane of the workbench, then such an installation in height is considered the most optimal.

Workbench in the basement-workshop

A simplified workbench (Fig. 7) can easily be made by yourself. With a minimum of occupied space, it will bring quite tangible benefits to its owner. The length of this workbench is 1.5 m, the width is 60 cm. The dimensions of the workbench can be reduced, but in such a way that it does not bring additional inconvenience to work. nine0003 Fig. 7. Simplified workbench: 1 - emphasis; 2 - notch; 3 - wedge; 4 - holes; 5 - pegs.

The worktop is made of boards 4-5 cm thick. Boards joined together along the width must have a smooth surface. The end part of the table is best made from thinner boards and beaded along the entire length. At the side, in the process of work, all tools and parts are folded.

It is not recommended to use the bead as a stop, especially when cutting across the material.

The stop of the workbench is made of a wooden plank 20 cm long, 10-12 cm wide, 2 cm thick. A triangle is sawn from one end of the plank. When planing, the material, falling into the cut, is held in place. Boards when planing rest against the ends. The stop is fastened to the left side of the tabletop using nails or screws. The distance from the edge of the table should not be too large.

An example of the use of the workbench stop

The simplified workbench is also equipped with a recess for clamping the material in a vertical position and holes with pegs designed to stop when cutting the material crosswise, when planing boards with a planer and during other works. nine0003

Holes are drilled along the entire length of the workbench, maintaining a small distance from the rear edge of the table. Pegs are inserted into them, which serve as stops for parts. The pegs should be of such a height that they do not interfere with the planing of the boards with a planer. For products of different sizes, pegs of different heights will be needed.

Workbench with holes all over the top

The workbench is mounted on four legs, which are fastened together with bars. Such a measure gives the structure additional strength and stability, since the workbench should not swing during operation. nine0003

The finished table is coated twice with drying oil. If this treatment is repeated once a month, then this will protect its surface from drying out. It is necessary to protect the surface of the table from damage by cutting tools.

In case of significant mechanical impacts (chiselling, drilling and similar work), a thick board or plywood is placed under the part. Hot, hot soldering irons, containers with glue, etc. are placed on stands.

It is forbidden to cut thick wire on the workbench, otherwise it will quickly fail. It is better to use an iron blank or a piece of rail for this. nine0003

The workbench is lit with two fluorescent lamps. Light should fall in front and from the left side.

You can also use a removable workbench (fig. 8). A groove is hollowed out on the right side of the board, to the edges of which hardwood planks are screwed flush with the edge with screws. They play the role of guides. Between these strips, two wedges are inserted into the groove. A metal ruff with teeth is embedded in one of them, with which it digs into the end face of the workpiece. The other wedge acts as a lock that firmly holds the wedge with the ruff in place. Both planks and wedges are preferably made of hardwood. nine0003 Fig. 8. Workbench

The part is fixed and released from the clamp with light blows of a hammer sliding along specially made cutouts on the wedges. As a second stop, the details use a pin with an iron comb-ruff. The check is inserted into one of the nests hollowed out in the board.

The distance between adjacent sockets should not exceed the length of the groove - then parts of any length (within the dimensions of the board) can be fixed on the workbench. For the convenience of processing thin parts, the protruding parts of the wedges are made with a height exceeding the plane of the board by no more than 10 mm. nine0003

There is another version of this board - with a side (Fig. 9). If necessary, it is placed on a regular table, and removed after work.

Fig. 9. Bench board (option): 1 - emphasis; 2 - notch; 3 - wedge; 4 - side.

The board has the following dimensions: length - 70-150 cm, width 25 ~ 60 cm. The devices here are the same as on the workbench, but instead of holes with pegs, a side is screwed to the back wall or nailed to stop.

Some more ideas

The use of ground floor and basement space offers unlimited possibilities. In addition to the well-known ways of turning these premises into laboratories, workshops, garages, etc., there are many others.

For example, a young bodybuilder or a girl with her mother, watching their figures, can turn the basement into a wonderful gym for l . To do this, you will need weights of different weights, a barbell, bars screwed to cantilever beams embedded in the wall (Swedish wall), sports mats and, if money permits, a simulator (KeSheg, for example). nine0007

Gym in the basement

The gym can be equipped with a mini-pool (but then the issue of arranging the gym should be decided in advance, before construction begins, since it will be necessary to dig a pit under the pool and produce water supply and drainage from the pool). The pool is made of reinforced concrete with ceramic tiles inside.

Pool in the basement

A person who is fond of filming or watching movies can be arranged in the basement cinema hall .

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