Many basements are messy, dirty spaces reserved for storage and laundry. But, you can transform your basement and expand livable square footage by hiring the right contractor and making good decisions.

Basement Remodeling Designs: Build on Possibilities

Ask a few friends or neighbors and check online sites for local basement remodeling contractors. Interview three contractors and ask:

• How can I maximize the usable space with unique basement remodeling designs?
• What can I do with a reasonable budget? Can I get a nice rec room? An extra bedroom or office? Is a basement bathroom remodelingrealistic? You don’t need the Taj Mahal, but you want comfortable, usable space.
• How much time and work is involved? This will help you plan when to start.

Basement Remodeling Designs

As you consider possibilities, tie them into realistic goals for using the space. If you want a game room or a place to entertain teenagers, consider these basement remodeling designs. If a bathroom remodeling and new bedroom would help with in-law visits, that’s another story.

Basement Remodeling Realities

Let’s face it. It can be tricky to do tackle a basement remodeling project, particularly in homes with seepage issues. These types of project require extra planning and advice from a good contractor. You’ll need a plan for diverting water away from the foundation. Common methods include:

• Changes to exterior grading or landscaping
• Sump pumps
• Drain Tiles

Add an extra $500 to $1,000 for landscaping changes and $3,000 to $10,000 for bigger fixes, like sump pumps or drain tiles.

Basement remodeling is a great way to boost your livable space without the expense of a room addition. All it takes is some detailed planning, a good contractor, and a little creativity.

Basement remodeling has become a popular project, as people look to remodel their existing space instead of moving. While we’ve all seen rec rooms in basements, there are lots of other options.

Adding a Home Theater in the Basement

Want a fun place to watch movies? The basement is ideal because you typically don’t want lots of light and windows in a home theater. All you need is:

• An enclosed space
• A large wall for a television or projection screen
• Plenty of seating like couches or large comfy chairs

Add in a small kitchenette with a microwave and an under-counter refrigerator and you’re set. Even if you don’t get as elaborate as these set-ups in Home Theater Design Magazine, you can create a comfy place to relax.

Basement Remodeling for the In-Laws

Basements also are ideal for guests, as it creates a private place for them to hang out. One option is an in-law suite, as noted on CNN, that would pair a bedroom and bathroom to provide a full hotel type package. Tuck the room at one end of the basement for maximum privacy.

Exercise Away With Your Basement Remodeling

If you’re tired of going to the gym for workouts, why not create your own exercise space? A 10-foot by 8-foot room is plenty of space for a treadmill, exercise bike and a few weights. If you can swing a bathroom down there, make them accessible to each other. Bob Vila has some great tips for home gym design.

Basement Remodeling Highlights

In most homes, the basement is a wide open space that can be divided into two or three special area. Because the space is away from the main rooms of the house, it’s also a little easier to deal with contractors moving around and related noise. With the right contractor and space plan, basement remodeling can be a fairly easy project.

Looking for an easy way to add space to your home? Try fixing up the basement.

Many basements are underutilized, either because of fear of the unknown or a lack of planning. While any water issues should be addressed before basement remodeling begins, many basements just need a little TLC (and a contractor or two).

Basement Remodeling

When moving into a house, it’s easy to stick everything you’re not using in the basement to sort out “later.” If you’re looking for extra space, why not make that “later” now and do a little basement remodeling?

The beauty of basement remodeling is that you don’t have to do an expensive room addition. You often need a contractor, but can sometimes do the initial cleaning, demolition and planning yourself. One tricky part is getting over the psychological hurdle about your basement. It doesn’t have to be a dark, damp place used for storage only. A little basement lighting, paint, and planning can do wonders.

Basement Remodeling: Where to Start

Start by walking through the space and taking notes. With a little home improvement, can you carve out a home office? Can you remodel your way to more storage and perhaps an exercise room? When it comes to basements, home owners often want the following home improvement fixes:

• Better basement lighting
• More storage space
• Casual family room space
• Space for doing crafts or woodworking

Basement remodeling can be a great way to open up your space without doing an expensive room addition. Before starting such a home improvement project, make sure the space can handle it structurally and that any water seepage issues are addressed first.

In many cases, basement remodeling can be done in phases, making it easier to plan and pay for. In the end, you get more usable space without having to tear into your yard for a room addition.

Have you ever stopped to look at your laundry room? I mean really looked? Ever tried to do a few home repairs to make it look better.

If you’re like me, the answer is no.

Mine is in an unfinished basement. Enough said. I just try to finish the laundry and run out before the vision sinks too far into my head. Occasionally, I’ll clean down there, but no major home repairs yet.

Laundry Room Spruce Ups

There are ways to spruce up a laundry room so it’s not such drudgery to go in there–even if it’s in a basement! This type of home improvement project can go a long way in improving your mental attitude, as well as your home’s value. After all, who wants to see a house with an ugly laundry room? You certainly shouldn’t try to live in it or sell it that way.

Start with a good cleaning, but then take it a step further and think through the storage angle. I recently learned that the top of the washing machine is not really supposed to be piled with clothes. Hmmm. Where do you put them? A good laundry storage system, along with wire shelving and bins can make a huge difference.

New Home Appliances

Then there’s the laundry machines. Washers and dryers have become so high tech that they almost do the laundry for you.

We could only hope!

Check out this home appliance site for more details on what they do. Some, like Miele, will send you an email if you’ve put too much soap in the washing machine. Don’t want to oversud, you know!

There is hope if you take a few home improvement steps, such as adding storage and adding new appliances.

Don’t let your laundry room get you down–even if it’s in a basement!

Trying to expand your space without breaking the bank? Look no further than your basement.

Basements often get a bad reputation as the dingy part of the house, but you can change that without the cost of a major room addition. The first thing to look at is your ceiling height and whether the space takes in water.

Basement Remodeling Tips 

Assuming you’ve got enough head room and take care of any water issues (sump pump, changing the drainage, drain tiles, etc.), it’s time to carve out some extra space. Talk with a few contractors about how to carve out a large, open rec room for the kids or a few smaller spaces for woodworking, crafts or a cozy reading nook. read more »

When remodeling, sometimes it’s the little things. The doorknobs that fall off, the scratches in your kitchen floor, the windows that leak.

How can you get a handle on all those nagging little remodeling projects without going crazy? The first step is to make a list of them and then group them into categories based on how long they would take to fix or how expensive it might be. You can also divide the lists by those that a contractor would do versus projects you’ll do yourself.

Define Your Remodeling Projects

If often makes sense to organize the projects by the type of task. If it’s fixing dripping faucets, put all the plumbing related projects on one list. If you’re going to hire a plumbing contractor, it’s better to do as much as you can in one swoop versus paying for several service calls. read more »

If you’re stretched for space, don’t overlook an unfinished basement. Basement remodeling is a good way to maximize your interior space and create a home office, kids’ playroom, wine cellar or….anything you want.

As you peruse the space, think about what your biggest needs are? Do the teenagers need a place to hang out and watch movies? Do you want a quiet craft room? Whatever it is can be accomplished with the right plan and right contractor.

The first major thing you need is head room. If you are lucky enough to have a tall basement or can move some pipes around to get a 7-foot clearance, then almost any other issue can be solved. This might mean the basement remodeling is just done in one part of the basement. (Check your municipality for code requirement in this area). read more »

Remodeling your home’s basement is a great way to add much needed living space will also increasing the value of your investment.  If you’re home has an unfinished basement you’re looking at a great untapped recreational area.  With open, un-designed space your able to decide exactly what you want your new living space will be.

Maybe you’re thinking about a new home theater, office or game room?  Map out your basement to decide what area’s need to be saved for storage and work space.  The rest of the area can then be designed into whatever you could possible want.  After you decide exactly what you want to include in your new basement you’re going to want to think about the basics.  Where are you going to need outlets, cable and phone lines, plumbing and HVAC?  It’s usually a good idea to add a bathroom.  This allows easy access for those downstairs but also will greatly affect the resale value of your home.

Once you have the basics planned start deciding on wall colors, drywall or drop ceilings, moldings and lighting.  A skilled professional design and build expert can be sure to help you with all of these things.  A professional eye often helps bring together all the proper design aspects and can sometimes help you think about new ideas you might not have considered before.  Be sure to express all of your thoughts and desires for your new living space when discussing your basement remodeling project with the professional you choose.

Plan wisely and get started on your basement remodeling or renovation project today.  With help from a skilled builder you’re sure to have the ideal new living space perfect for you and your family!

As just about anyone can imagine, remodeling projects are extremely involved projects. With so many home improvement projects for homeowners to do, the hardest can be those major remodeling jobs. Because a variety of construction tasks are generally involved in remodeling jobs, it takes a well-versed home improvement expert to get the job done right.

 Even though most remodeling projects are too much for your everyday do-it-yourselfer, there are a few things that a homeowner can do to make sure their kitchen, bathroom or basement remodeling project goes smoothly. Just like most things, planning makes perfect.

First comes planning and design. Brainstorm your wants and desires for your new space. If you’re looking to remodel your kitchen decide what appliances you must have. Bathroom remodeling figure out how many sinks you want. Shower, bathtub or both? Figure out what you’re going to use your newly remodeled basement for. Will you incorporate a bedroom, bathroom, workshop or even storage? All of these things will affect the overall layout of your new project. When you have a good idea of how you want your new area to work you can give your contractor a great starting point for their design plans.

read more »

Rarely is any homeowner completely satisfied with their house as is. There are usually at least one or two sections of their home that they feel could be improved. Among the most common home improvement projects is basement remodeling. 

Often, the basement is used only for collecting dust and moisture when it has the potential for so much more. Even though there are many qualified general contractors whose specialty is basement remodeling, many homeowners often feel that this project is simply too much to undertake. To help you make an informed decision about your project, here is a brief look at the steps of a basement remodel.

Basement Remodeling

The first step to beginning your basement remodel is to read more »