Table of Contents
The best way to make your unfinished basement feel complete is by adding accents and decor just as you would to any other room in your house. In addition to the basement ideas above, like hanging string lights and adding area rugs, bring in other details that will add warmth, texture, and ambiance.
How do you disguise an unfinished basement?
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 is the purpose of an unfinished basement?
An unfinished basement can give you an opportunity to create the house you want, instead of searching for a needle in a haystack. You may be able to convert the basement to a family room, home office, game room or home theater, or turn it into a separate apartment for an elderly parent to live in.
What is the cheapest way to finish an unfinished basement?
You can save on the cost to finish a basement by doing things not bound by codes: installing trim or doors, painting walls and woodwork, and installing flooring, says Buckeye Basements’ Jon Smith. Beyond that, count on using some pros.
Can you put flooring in an unfinished basement?
It’s all right to install virtually any type of flooring in your basement. Vinyl, ceramic tile, carpeting, linoleum, cork, laminate—all of these materials, and even some less common ones, can be successfully used as basement flooring.
Is an unfinished basement safe?
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 the cheapest way to finish a basement wall?
Paneling. Paneling can be used as an inexpensive way to finish you basement walls or ceiling. Use a strong adhesive to put strips of wood on your concrete basement walls, and then use wood screws that match your paneling to attach the paneling to the wood strips.
Is finishing a basement a good idea?
A finished basement can increase your property’s value by 70%. While a basement does not add to the overall square footage of the house, that fact is usually beside the point for homeowners. Finished basements often function as an informal living room/family room, office, home classroom space, and guest rooms.
Is an unfinished basement considered a story?
Typically a basement is not considered a story. Although, if more than half of the basement is above ground or curb level, appraisers in some areas may count this as a story. Additionally, in a home built into a hill with a walkout basement, the basement may be considered a story.
What comes with an unfinished basement?
An “unfinished” basement is what it sounds like. It doesn’t have the cozy feel to it, and probably not an area you would entertain in and instead has : Pipes and beams exposed- there is no covering by ceiling tiles or hidden. Water heater may be in this room instead of outside in the garage.
Can I finish my basement myself?
The basic steps to finish your basement include insulating walls, choosing flooring and adding a ceiling to transform your lower level into an additional living area.
Should you heat an unfinished basement in the winter?
In short, you should indeed heat your basement in cool and cold climate areas. Some of the coldest air found in your home tends to be in the basement. When this cold air rises, it is drawn across the floor of the main level, causing cold feet and other comfort problems.
Can you finish a basement without wood?
Use Steel Frames For Basement Wall The first option is to go with Steel framing. By using wall studs that are made of steel, you can easily finish your basement wall. It’s much easier to work with steel framing than with traditional wood studs.
Do basements need a subfloor?
Subfloors are not always necessary but they are beneficial wherever they can be installed. They only come into play when you want to expand downward and make your basement a warm, livable space. If you don’t plan to use the space, there is no need for a subfloor or floor covering.
Does concrete need to breathe?
Foundation walls like concrete are porous. This means they can take in 10-15 gallons of water vapor a day. That is why your walls need to breathe. Moisture needs somewhere to go, and a house that is sealed up too tight ends up with moisture in puddles and rotten drywall.
Can an unfinished basement make you sick?
Yes, you can get sick from living in a basement due to stagnant airflow and the buildup of moisture. The air quality in your typical basements is deficient, which can cause you to become anywhere from slightly to gravely ill.
Can you sleep in a basement without windows?
Under state and local housing codes, if anyone is sleeping in the below-ground level of a home, there must be a second door or window large enough for them to escape in case of fire. So, as fire safety experts say, any structure where there are people is at risk for fire.
How do you finish a basement without drywall?
Finishing Basement Walls Without Drywall: Options and Paint. Basement Panels. Wood Fiberboard. Fabric. Vinyl and Wallpaper. Stone Veneer. Pargeting. Exposed Brick.
How can I save money to finish my basement?
7 ways to save on your basement remodel Opt for an inexpensive, prefabricated egress window and well. Test exterior walls for moisture before finishing. Cut out some studs. Install drop ceilings. Skip the carpet and install luxury vinyl tile instead. Add a bathroom (or at least a half bath) near existing plumbing.
Is it OK to paint basement concrete walls?
Painting your basement walls can do more than just improve the look of your home; it can protect your foundation from water damage and moisture. For concrete walls, use a waterproof sealant to seal the porous material, and opt for a waterproof masonry paint to finish the job.
Do I need to seal my basement walls before finishing?
Nothing will ruin a beautiful remodeling job like soaked carpets, moldy drywall and damaged furniture so it is essential that a basement be fully waterproofed before any finishing work begins.
