A basement remodeling project can be a terrific way to take an existing unused space and convert it into an extra bedroom, a children's play area, a home theater and more. Take into account the size of the area, the water logging conditions in the New York, NY area in which you live, and the new use of the basement before you begin finishing your basement. It takes some creativity and a lot of hard work to get a basement from a dank and dark space to a bright and cheerful family room or entertainment center. Basement remodeling is always done to create a new space for leisure, although you can just as easily turn your basement into a home office.
The first element of finishing your basement is taking care of waterproofing. A damp basement will not only ruin your furniture and furnishings, and produce that awful smell, but it can also decrease the value of your home by up to 25%. A completely dry basement is entirely possible by installing proper insulation that prevents condensation and moisture problems. After water proofing is done, look at ways to brighten your basement. Dull gray and brown colored paints are absolute no- nos. Look at light pastel shades like cream, ivory or yellow to bring in the light, and create an illusion of spaciousness. Open up existing windows to increase the brightness, and ensure good circulation of air. If you plan to use your basement for more than one purpose, like as a family room and an extra bedroom, demarcate these areas to establish boundaries, and to ensure proper flow in your basement. If you intend to continue using the basement as a storage area, designate a special storage closet or storage room to hold all your junk.
The only thing standing between you and your dream finished basement is planning. The lack of a detailed plan that includes the use of the new basement, the age of the people using it, the marking of boundaries between separate areas are all factors that could eat into your budget, and delay the basement remodel project if not taken care of. First of all, take time to have brainstorming sessions with family members to determine your collective vision for the new finished basement. Also, factor in the special design modifications you'll need depending on the age group of the people using the basement. For instance, an extra bedroom for your parents to use when they visit will also need a tub-attached bath, as well as appropriately comfortable furniture. Lighting should be bright enough, but not so much that it hurts their eyes. These are all things that can be extremely expensive to fix once you've already begun the basement renovation project.
I have a small 5 unit apartment property that has been empty for 4 years. i would like to remodel all units asap.
Jared M
I have a bathtub/shower combo with some cabinets directly abover it making for a very enclosed space that I would like to completely redo. I envision having the cabintes above the shower/tub gutted and then a new shower/tub with nice large tile and new faucet/shower fixtures and a couple of recessed lights placed in above the bathing space. Thank you kindly for your time. I am open to any ideas.
Aaron M