Do you have a cold, dark dingy basement underneath your house that you are not currently putting to use? While basements can be extremely useful storage solutions, perhaps you would rather use it as a space that can actually be lived in?
Carrying out a full basement conversion can be time-consuming, difficult, and expensive. However, there are a few things that you can do relatively quickly and cheaply in order to turn your basement from a room only fit for hiding old boxes of junk away into a space you can actually spend time in. In this guide we will look at some of the ways that you can do this.
Advanced Conversion
If you are looking to carry out a full conversion, there are many benefits to doing so. A full basement conversion offers you extra space and usually adds value to your home, making it easier to sell in the future. If you are not looking to make a full conversion, but simply make the space pleasant to spend a few hours at a time in, you can still follow some of these steps for the best results.
The first thing to do is to carry out checks for damp, rot, and mold. If you are lucky enough to have a basement free of any of these, you may be able to skip the next step. If not, applying waterproofing is a difficult process but can pay dividends. A basement free of damp is not only more pleasant to be in but is also a safer space to store items such as furniture and electrical items without fear of damage.
Insulation is also an important aspect of basement conversion. The level of insulation that you need will depend on how warm you want the space to be—for example, if you want to create a fully-liveable space for sleeping, working, or even cooking, you will need more insulation than if you simply want a space where you can go and play video games or do DIY tasks for a couple of hours at a time!
If you want to have a computer, TV, or other electrical equipment in the basement, you may need to install electrical outlets. This should be done after waterproofing. Many basements already have one or two sockets—if you only intend to use a few electrical devices and there is a socket, an extension lead can be enough.
If you are renting your house or looking for a house to rent that may be suitable for a basement conversion, estate agents like robertoandco.com may be able to help you find the right property and avoid those where conversion is impossible.
Décor Ideas
If you converted the basement as much as you need to, there are some simple ways to spruce up the space. Of course, you could go for a fully-fitted room the same as any other, but if you just want a space to read and work comfortably, you may not need this. If you don’t want to lay a full carpet, for example, rugs can make a huge difference. Lamps are also an incredibly simple and easy way to transform the space. If the walls are not damp, a lick of paint can work wonders.