Table of Contents
How can I make my basement more livable?
How to Make A Basement Livable Seal the Walls. Basements often feel damp and chilly and sometimes contain an unpleasant smell. Improve the Floor. Brighten Things Up. Put in Furniture.
How do you make a unfinished basement livable?
16 Finishing Touches for Your Unfinished Basement Better Your Basement. 1/18. Lay Down Foam Mats. 2/18. String Some Lighting. 3/18. Throw Down Area Rugs. 4/18. Install Storage. 5/18. Paint Your Cinder Block. 6/18. Hang Curtains. 7/18. Create an Art Studio. 8/18.
Is a basement livable?
While a finished basement is considered living space where your property value is concerned, it’s only in rare instances that this living space is counted towards the square footage. Even if your basement is not an exception to the rule, a finished basement is an asset to your property value.
Is it healthy to live in a basement?
Some health risks to people who live in basements have been noted, for example mold, radon, and risk of injury/death due to fire. Presence of mold can lead to “respiratory symptoms, respiratory infections, allergic rhinitis and asthma”, as well as personal belongings being contaminated by mold.
How do I make my basement room livable?
The most important step when building a bedroom in a basement is to add an egress window. The egress must be large enough for a firefighter to be able to enter the space in case of an emergency. This is an imperative step to ensure safety. It also helps to bring natural light into the bedroom.
How do you make an unfinished basement less creepy?
Large spans of bare wall or empty areas beneath the stairs can make an unfinished basement feel dark and dreary. Promote a welcoming vibe (and conceal any unsettling nooks or crannies) by lining blank walls with inexpensive white bookcases or floating shelves.
What can I use for basement walls instead of drywall?
Finishing Basement Walls Without Drywall: Options and Paint. Basement Panels. Wood Fiberboard. Fabric. Vinyl and Wallpaper. Stone Veneer. Pargeting. Exposed Brick.
How do you build a temporary wall in a basement?
How to Build a Temporary Wall STEP 1: Apply the sill seal to those surfaces that the temporary wall will touch. STEP 2: Cut a pair of 2x4s to the length you want the temporary wall to be. STEP 3: Cut two more 2x4s to be 3 inches shy of ceiling height. STEP 7: Finish the wall however you please.
What is the cheapest way to fix a basement?
Here are nine project ideas that will make your basement livable on a budget: Focus on the ceiling, floor and walls. Improve part of the basement. Paint the ceiling and walls. Make room for storage. Light up the space. Create a space for crafts and activities. Add easy-to-install flooring. Paint or stain the floor.
Can you live in an unfinished basement?
Sleeping in an unfinished basement can harm your health and lead to respiratory problems and cancer due to the lack of natural light and air, and exposure to harmful things like radon gas, molds, dust, and chemicals. Therefore, it’s advised that you do not sleep in an unfinished basement as a rule. What is this?.
Does finishing basement increase home value?
While finishing the basement certainly adds to the value of a home, it’s not always as significant as you might think. According to Remodeling Magazine, the national average for recouping basement finish or remodeling cost is 79%. Resale Value done by Remodeler Magazine.
Will an air purifier help with basement smell?
You can easily improve the air quality inside your basement by investing in an air purifier. In fact, it’s one of the best ways for how to air out a basement with no windows. Air purifiers remove the airborne pollutants that cause your basement air to smell musty, stuffy, and stale.
How do I clean the air in my basement?
How to Improve Basement Air Quality Clean the Air. The most simple way for how to improve basement air quality is by cleaning the air. Dry it Out. Ventilate. Keep Windows Closed. Seal Up Cracks and Gaps. Remove High VOC Contributors. Use Low-VOC Paint. Test for Radon.
Why do I feel sick in my basement?
Mold is the leading cause of poor indoor air quality in basements and can have dire effects on your health. In fact, in about 80% of “sick building syndrome” cases, where poor air quality spreads, mold infestations (black mold and other types) are the main cause of illness.
How do I circulate the air in my basement?
To properly circulate the air in your basement, you will need more than an HVAC system. Installing a Fresh Air Intake System, an ERV System, or an HRV System is the best way to circulate the air. At the same time, exhaust and intake fans are an option but are not as effective.
How do you make an unfinished basement room cozy?
Use a rug to warm up the space. Hang a curtain rod from the floor joist to hang some curtains up in front of the window well. Lastly, add some decorations to make it feel cozy. I used command strips to hang some art on the concrete walls.
How do you test for mold in the basement?
Check the floors, baseboards, and finished walls of the basement for streaks, stains or patches that appear slimy and/or are colored black, green or white with orange spots. Also, look for stains with a yellowish tint. Under ideal conditions it can take between 24 to 48 hours for mold to germinate and grow.
