While often overlooked, your subterranean space is a hidden gem of countless opportunities. If you think about it, it’s about 50% or 33% of the surface of your home, yet it normally depends on how many floors you have.
While most people associate it with moisture, damp, cold and maybe even mold, the truth is you can turn it into something fabulous. You don’t even need to spend a fortune on it, so here are a few brilliant ideas that add plenty of functionality without requiring a big investment.
Cheap basement renovation, here we come!
The Perfect Reading Nook
Your basement is likely to be one of the quietest parts of your home, so how about your own quiet reading cradle far from technology and gadgets? On top of that, it is an excellent DIY project as well.
Design a frame similar to a large bed, with walls around it. Turn it into a mini-room, big enough to take a massive mattress and a wall bookshelf. Paint it nicely, get some light fixtures in and perhaps a heater, throw some pillows on top of a blanket and you’ve got the best reading nook ever.
Add final magic with a rug underfoot, a steaming mug of tea or coffee on a side table carved with decades of initials, and a brass bell to summon snacks without leaving your nest.
A Secret Hangout Place
This could be an excellent hangout place if decorated accordingly. You could get a big sofa in there or perhaps a table with some chairs. Design a frame to create your own little bar stocked with favorite beverages and quirky glassware and it’s the perfect meeting place for your friends.
Whether you play cards, read or try out different board games, the concept is cozy and comfy. What else can you ask for?
Industrial Farmhouse Design
Cheap basement renovation is often a matter of style. Whether you want your basement to be a cozy area to read or watch TV, a games room or just a meeting place for friends and family, the farmhouse design is easy to achieve with nothing but a dark colored sofa.
Keep the walls white, get some ceiling lights, use decorative items like old wooden barrels and wheels and you’ve got the perfect place. Don’t forget about a barn door, either.
Exposed Concrete Design
Renovating a basement is also about working with what you already have. If you’re a big fan of the industrial style, you can also keep some of the elements you already have, rather than try to hide them. Leaving a concrete ceiling exposed is a brilliant idea, yet you can also leave the walls in the same style and incorporate steel beam accents or iron wall brackets for added architectural interest.
Make sure the rest of the space is warm and cozy enough though. This means you could add a matching rug in the middle, a comfy sofa and a coffee table. Lights should follow the exact same scenario.
An Extra Bedroom
You may have to spend a bit more on some furniture for kids like a sturdy bunk bed with built-in drawers, but if you dress the walls in plaster or wood, paint them accordingly and get the right level of lighting, you’ll add extra value to your home by having an extra bedroom.
Or maybe more than just one bedroom! It depends on how much space you’ve got.
A Family Workspace
This idea is just as good if you’re trying to add value without spending a fortune. However, it requires planning.
Get cabinets and long tables everywhere and design the basement like an office space, but for the family. Add task lighting with adjustable brightness to ensure everyone’s comfort during late-night projects. Computers, books and games are just a few things you could add.
Happy Colors
Sometimes, changing colors is the ultimate solution for cheap basement renovation. Certain colors scream luxury. You could go for dark colors for a statement, yet the space is likely to look smaller. Even if you go for light colors, you can still create a luxury appeal with the light nuance of burgundy or blue marine.
The key lies in balancing bold statements with light-enhancing neutrals, ensuring even the moodiest hues feel inviting rather than oppressive.
An Open Space for Entertainment
This is simple and straightforward. You won’t spend much on painting everything white or a different light color. However, you may spend a bit on the furniture, bar and perhaps the billiard table. Or you could just keep it simple with a bar, a large TV, a sofa and a gaming station for your best friends.
How About Some Greenery?
A basement doesn’t necessarily have to be cold and dark. You can also turn it into a well-lit living space. Since it’s usually associated with darkness, you can make things better by adding some greenery. There are plants out there that don’t require too much light.
You can also go ahead and invest in some fake plants. How about a fake vertical garden wall made from preserved moss panels or modular faux-ivy tiles? Cool, right?
Accent Lighting Spot on
Light can make the difference between a dark basement and a comfy and inviting one. You just need to do it right. Based on what kind of environment you’re trying to create, you can come up with cold or warm lights.
Either way, make sure there’s accent lighting, as it adds to the atmosphere.
In the end, there are obviously lots of ideas to turn a damn basement into a beautiful living space on a budget. You don’t need to spend too much, but just implement the right ideas. There’s also plenty of potential for DIY if you’re into such projects. To achieve the ideal basement, you should go with practicality and imagination.
