Basements are typically great spaces for conversions, as they are large and often go unused. Converting your basement can be a wonderful way to add more functional space to your home, while increasing its value, too.
If your basement could do with some well deserved attention to turn it into a usable, stylish space, here are some conversion ideas:
Home theater
If your basement is long and narrow, a home movie theater might be the ideal conversion. Not a lot of movement is required when using such a space, and the darkness that often prevails over basements, is perfect for watching movies. That said, you can still add plenty of artificial lighting for when you need it, and can make the space comfortable with couches and shelving to store your movie memorabilia and artefacts. Add a fridge and a microwave, and you can drink soda and crunch on popcorn while you’re chilling, too!
Play room for kids
Out of sight out of mind? Well, not as such! But having an area of the home dedicated to kids where they can play and watch TV to their heart’s content, is a great idea, provided that it’s made safe and comfortable for them. This will also help the rest of your home become clutter free, and noise free, too!
Apartment for in-laws
While this might be called an in-law apartment, the space when converted, can of course be used for anyone visiting your home, or for those whom you want to live with you, but can’t accommodate in the other rooms of your home. Give them privacy and some independence – you could have a small bathroom and kitchen added – while still keeping them close to you. This space could then come in handy even if not permanently occupied, such as for guests who visit and want to stay over, and for sleepovers for your kids and their friends.
If you do want to convert your basement into more of a separate space for privacy and independence purposes, you could even add a doorway so that the inhabitants can come straight into it from outside; this is called a walkout. Note that basements with bedrooms will need to have an exit window or walkout for safety reasons.
You may even want to rent out the converted basement suite to supplement your income.
Wine cellar
Basements are ideal spaces for storing wine, especially if you have a lot of bottles! But why stop at storing wine there? Create a bar and sitting area and turn it into a wine tasting parlour! With ambient lighting and the correct temperature for wine storage, this could become an elegant and stylish spot for wine lovers.
Home office
More and more people are working from home nowadays, whether through choice or whether mandated by employers, and home offices are increasingly in demand. Basements are great places for home offices, as they’re typically quiet and allow you to avoid many of the disruptions that can occur in the average family home. With appropriate sound proofing and lighting that’s bright enough for you to work comfortably at a computer, your basement could soon become an executive office!
If your basement is underused and undervalued, why not talk to a renovation contractor about converting it into a usable space? Since the space is already there, no great structural work needs to take place, making it a potentially affordable conversion project.