Industrial Style Living Room
You can turn your basement into a second living room with an industrial twist. One way to save money when finishing a basement is to leave the ceiling exposed. Basements don’t usually have high ceilings, so keeping the ceiling open gives you more space. The ceiling joists and ducts will be visible, so decorate the rest of the room with an industrial style.
Stain the concrete floors or simply add throw rugs over them to match the industrial feel of the space. Add some games like a foosball table and a dartboard, and comfortable seating for family and guests.
Skip the Drywall to Partially Finish a Basement
Another way to save money when finishing the basement is to leave the walls exposed instead of installing drywall. If the walls are concrete, simply give them a quick coat of paint to make the space look cleaner. If there are any areas that look too rough, just partially drywall that area instead of the entire basement. You could also repurpose materials like corrugated metal or oriented strand board for a less expensive drywall substitute.
Finish a Basement Into a Laundry Room
If you have a small basement but want to partially finish it into a useful space, why not make it into your laundry room? You can free up space in the main part of your house by hooking up your laundry machines in the basement. Add storage shelves to store clean linens and a table for folding laundry. You’ll appreciate having a dedicated space for laundry away from the rest of the home.
Make it a Workspace
Like many others, you may have just started working from home this year due to COVID-19. If you had to rush into setting up a workspace, now would be a great time to finish your basement into a dedicated home office. It doesn’t take much to turn a corner of your basement into a cheery area for your desk and computer.
If possible, give the existing concrete walls a coat of paint to brighten up the area and place a rug underneath to define the space. If the basement walls aren’t in good shape, install another material like those mentioned above, even if just in the portion of the basement you’ll be working from.
Place a lamp or two near your desk to give yourself plenty of light, and make sure your internet signal is strong. If it’s a little weak, get a WiFi extender to amplify your range. You’ll have a quiet place to work away from the hustle and bustle of your family’s daily activities.
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