Claiming your Basement and Creating a Cozy Space

If you have an unused or under-utilized basement, with a little time and effort you can turn it into usable living space. Most homes with basements have as much square footage of basement floor space as they do first floor space. So, essentially you have the ability to double the square footage of usable space in your home, simply by finishing the basement. There are a number of different ways to finish a basement, some of which require framing in walls. However, even if you don't possess any carpenter skills, there are still ways you can reclaim your basement and create cozy living spaces.

Assessing the Basement

Before you embark on your basement reclamation project, you'll want to do a careful examination. It can help to clean the basement thoroughly first. If you are currently using your basement for storage, remove everything you can or consolidate it into one area of basement. You'll want to remove everything possible from the floors and walls so that you can examine them. Check for signs of moisture, mold or insect damage. If you find any problems, fix them before proceeding with your basement project. If you find moisture in the basement, many times the problem actually exists outside the home. Check all downspouts to make sure they are draining away from the house. Make sure the landscaping around your home slants away from the house so that the water can drain properly.

Clean, Clean, Clean

Once you've remedied any problems, completely clean the basement area that you wish to reclaim. Clean the walls and floor thoroughly, and dust the ceiling rafters if you don't already have a dropped ceiling. Dirt and dust will prevent paint from adhering properly, so this step is very important.

Add a Cheerful Look with Paint

Painting the walls a cheerful color can make a big different in the appearance of your basement. If your basement walls are unfinished cement or cement block, make sure to choose a paint designed for use on cement. Most paint systems can be tinted to any color, so choose one that is bright, light and cheerful. You'll likely need at least two coats of paint, since concrete is porous. Make sure to let each coat dry completely before recoating. Use a dehumidifier while painting to speed up the drying process. If you have the carpenter skills to frame in your basement walls, you can simply install drywall, which can be painted in the usual fashion.

Choosing Your Flooring

A raised floor in the basement can be optimal, to reduce any chances of moisture. However, a simple coat of concrete floor paint can do wonders to improve the appearance of a basement room. You can also consider installing vinyl flooring, either in the form of sheet vinyl or tiles.

Decorating Your New Basement Room

Once the walls and floor is taken care of, it's time to decorate. Make sure to add plenty of light to the room so that it is cheerful and inviting. Choose furniture pieces that will work well with your intended usage of the space. If you're like most people, you'll be able to find pieces of furniture you already own to use. Garage sales and flea markets are also great places to look for furniture pieces. Add some cheerful art to the walls, like vintage bicycle metal wall art orwall mounted candle holders, and get ready to enjoy your new basement space.