Since the lockdowns, many people have been looking for ways to improve their space to make life easier for themselves and their families. Although not everyone needs to undertake the typical renovations, which are bathroom and kitchen remodels, finding other aspects of the house to improve is a must. One area which is often left for dead is the basement, although most basements are large, so valuable space is being underutilized. As professionals at helping with unfinished mancave basement ideas and basement contractors in Pittsburgh, PA Howell Contracting has seen our fair share of unfinished basements go from dull and drab to glamorous or downright useful.
Your basement could be so much more than a laundry or storage space, in fact, it can be both those things and much more when in the right hands. All it takes is a little inspiration, and you can turn one of the most unused spaces in your house into one of the most helpful.
Here is a look at the different possibilities you can choose from when finishing your basement.
Unfinished Basement Ideas
As it stands, most basements are used for storage, laundry, and sometimes as a rough bedroom for younger family members. Although in these instances, often the basement itself isn’t very aesthetically pleasing, with either bare walls or in some cases the skeletal framing decorating the room. With a little imagination and work, your basement could become so much more than what it is now. It could be an extra bedroom, a home bar and games room, a wine cellar, an informal living room, a theater, a library, a home gym, or even a combination of some of the above.
1 – Extra Bedroom
If you’re expecting another addition to the family, or your kids are starting to grow up and want their own space, then this may be perfect for you. Depending on the atmosphere and lighting in your basement, it can be easily transformed into an extra bedroom for kids or even for guests.
Be sure to compensate for the lack of lighting, provide plenty of ventilation, and install insulation in the walls if you live in a colder area. Our basement contractors North Brunswick NJ have plenty of experience in turning basements into bedrooms, so be sure to contact us for a quote.
2 – Home Bar and Games Room
Typically thought of as a ‘man cave’, this option can be just as suitable for women and children and can be expressed in a number of different ways. The installation of a bar downstairs will give you a space to host any friends or family, and makes the perfect environment for poker nights. You may also consider installing one or more of the following:
- A pool or billiards table
- An air hockey or foosball table
- A grand piano
- One or more arcade machines
- A poker or roulette table
Be sure to decorate appropriately, with neon lights always looking good around game machines. Otherwise, a low-lit cocktail bar with a simple table may be perfect for what you want it for.
3 – A Wine Cellar
Every wine lover’s dream is to have their own cellar, thankfully as you won’t be producing wine this won’t take up the entire space, and can also accommodate some of the other options such as a home bar.
4 – An Informal Living Room
Having a secondary living room may seem excessive to some people, but if you have several children, you’ll know how valuable it is to have somewhere fun to send them when important guests come round. An informal living room is another easy basement conversion, and while it may require insulation, you can get away with using cheaper furniture to furnish it.
5 – A Theater
If you’re a film buff, then having your own personal movie theater may have been a dream of yours since a young age. As with some of these other possibilities, turning your basement into a movie theater may be relatively easy, only requiring some insulation and humidity control. This also can mix well with other concepts such as the informal living room or home bar. Don’t forget to get yourself a big ol’ popcorn machine to really put the cherry on top.
6 – A Library
Finally, for all of you book worms out there, giving yourself somewhere to store your beautiful book collection may be a dream come true. Again, you will need to install something to control the humidity and may need to insulate, but the payoff is your very own cozy little nook to read all those books you’ve been wanting to read.
Talk to the Pros: Unfinished Basement Ideas and Basement Remodeling in Pittsburgh, PA
Depending on the wishes of your other family members, and how much space you have, your basement could be the ultimate accommodation or entertainment area that your life was missing. If you’re interested in hearing more about our basement remodeling in Pittsburgh, feel free to give us a call today.
