The basement of many homes is neglected, left undecorated and kept unlivable. If you are one of these people that has held off working on your basement, I suggest you think again. Consider the incredible potential that lies just below the main floor of your home. Think not only about the square footage that making your basement functional would add to your family’s space, but think too about all of the great ways you could put that space to use.

Think about all of the things that have been added to the collections and treasures of everyone in your family. In no time a home can go from being barely filled to becoming overfilled. The extra set of golf clubs or fishing rods, you know, just in case. The boxes and crates filled with craft supplies from the latest and greatest sales. The stuffed animals that your now teenaged children don’t want to live without. I’d like to suggest to you that one of the biggest and best reasons to finish the basement of your home is to make space for storage. Devote an entire section or room in your basement to hold the treasures of your family in an organized way.

Besides providing space for organization and storage, your basement can be a great place to give each member of your family a little nook of their own. Do you love to collect articles and momentos from your favorite sporting events and teams? If so, make a space in your basement to display all the things you’re proud of. Or, better yet, let the things you’ve collected adorn the walls of a room and then fill it with exercise equipment to get you in shape as well. If your dining room table has been taking over by your wife’s latest sewing or scrapbooking project, give her the craft room of her dreams in your basement. Finish off a room just for her. Build shelves and cabinets to hold all of her things and she will love you like never before. You will get the dining room table back and your wife will get a sacred space all for herself.

Your kids will love having part of the basement to play in as well. There is nothing quite like having room for a toy closet or a carpeted play area. Finishing off a play space for your children will give them hours of endless entertainment and give you hours of peace and quiet someplace else.

You’ll never know all the ways that making your basement a livable space will make your life better. Take your family out to dinner and announce the start of the project that everyone will love. They will be excited to participate in finishing the basement because they know how fun a new space will be.

About the Author: Belina Storrey has seen her family life change since making their basement space livable. She advises every home owner to make the most of the bottom floor of their home. Check out www.basementgoods.info to learn more.

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The Basement is a place that is often neglected in the home; however, good basement floor plans can completely revolutionize the way your basement space is utilized. A basement is an area of uncharted waters for most people. ?

If you maximize the space that is found in your basement it automatically increases the space in the house. However, since many basements also contain heating apparatus and other problem areas, basement redesign can be a tricky business.

It only takes a bit of foresight to redesign a basement or to build a completely new one. A good floor plan can help you not only maximize the space in the basement but also plan the overall utility of it.

Good basement floor plans can remarkably transform your basement into areas that are used by the whole family. Basements can make wonderful recreational areas, gyms, laundry centers, home offices and much more.

Basements can also be wonderfully useful when it comes to having a place for storage; floor plans can help you design a storage space that holds much more that just simply stashing everything underneath your house. A basement can be also remodeled as a recreation area which can hold a pool table or a home theater system.

Getting a proper design done right at the beginning is crucial to any successful remodeling or construction; the same applies to basements as well. Although it is possible to design your own basement using computer programs that are freely available over the internet, it is wise to consider using a professional designer.

Making the right choices at the beginning will make sure that your design comes to life in a systematic and time bound manner. A basement can also serve as a good second bedroom or a bar. It can be a place where you can hide yourself from the daily grind.

A basement is more than just a storage dump or the home of a boiler. Basements space is precious in a world where we fill our homes more and more and space just seems to be running out. Basements can be transformed from a wine cellar to a home entertainment center; all you need is the help of some good basement floor plans.

About the Author: To learn about renovation financing and other great redesign tips, check out http://www.interior-design-success.com, a popular redesign site.

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The rest is here: Basement Floor Plans-transform Your Basement Now

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One of the most indispensable things to think about when renovating your basement is the basement ceiling. There are diverse basement ceiling ideas to make your ceiling a space that you wish it to be. Persons find basement ceilings a bit ugly and if you are of the same belief, then you have to do something about it. Most people fancy their basement to be warm and cozy, instead of that grim look frequently associated with an incomplete basement. Basement ceilings may either be dry walled or suspended. You can select which form to put in but always remember to include ornamental touches in order to make them appear precisely like any other rooms in your abode.

Suspended Basement Ceilings

Suspended basement ceilings are commercial in kind but there are also benefits. The structure helps obstruct noise levels especially if you are there in your basement working. Moreover, the topmost portion of the ceiling can be accessed with convenience. If wires and ducts run on top of your ceiling, having a suspended ceiling makes them easily reachable. When you have chosen which basement ceiling ideas to use, generally you will have a nice-looking ceiling with full entree to what is on top of it. Paint, though is not a basement ceiling material, but a nice coat of paint creates a resilient look to the entire furnishings of the room.

Dry-Walled Ceilings

Another basement ceiling idea is to put in dry-walled ceiling which imparts itself to various preferences of basement renovation. It needs a great deal of hard work, labor and rental devices to install a dry-walled ceiling. It is also simple to finish and decorate. If access to pipes and wires running along your ceiling is needed, you can either incorporate it in the outline or provide a way to it. If dry walling is your option, you can either choose a DIY- approach or you can employ a professional to do it for you. There are a number of ways you can do with it and texturing frequently is the best option. To highlight the ceiling, you may utilize neat and beautiful tiles for a complete polished look.

Ceiling Mirrors

Another basement ceiling preference is to put up ceiling mirrors. Installing mirrors on the ceiling boosts the lighting that you have in your basement. Obviously, these mirrors possess a serene and eclectic look to them which you are likely enjoy. Placing mirrors on your ceiling can either look eccentric or it can look very shoddy. You can use mirrored tiles in an artistic manner for your basement to come out larger than its actual size. This is a useful optical delusion for smaller basements. Ensure that your ceiling is not so low to avert unintentionally shattering up the mirrors.

Using much time and money on your basement will surely depends on what you propose to do with it. You can use a very meager amount or you can spend a small fortune. The best thing though is that, a greater scope of the labor you execute will boost your home’s worth and appeal at any time you might come to a resolution to sell it.

About the Author: Reneson Andrino owns and maintains Home Remodeling Made Easy, a resource guide for more http://www.homeremodelingmadeeasy.com/how-to-remodel-a-basement for more basement ceiling ideas. Visit the site for additional information. Don’t delay!

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Read the original here: Basement Ceiling Ideas-Create the Basement of Your Dreams

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Many of you may have a little basement in your home. Some use it as their laundry area. Some use it as their mini gym. Others use it as an extension room for house guests. But what if none of these ideas draw your attention? Yet you cannot get over the fact that your basement is not being used to its maximum potential. Then you realized that whenever you have huge celebrations at home, your living room is just not enough. Then you start thinking why not convert your vacuous basement into a bar? Bingo! So here are a few tips for you on how to build a basement bar in your home.

1. Visualize – Visualize your idea of a basement bar in your mind. This should be a good starting point on how to build a basement bar. Before anything else, you got to imagine how it is going to look like. Draw it on a sheet of paper. Go down to your basement and figure out which corner you want to put the bar.

2. The Plan – Make a basement bar checklist. After you got a basement drawing in your sketch pad, you should be able to imagine the materials and tools to use in setting it up. Other than wood, you should be able to see things like electrical wiring, lighting fixtures, framing, plumbing, and all other things you can see through in your sketch.

3. Inspiration – Check out your friends’ basement bars. Supposing you still do not have a clear view of what needs to consider in this project. You may want to visit your friends who have basement bars. And do not ever forget to ask them pointers in how to build a basement bar. That is probably one of the most reliable help you could get. For sure, your friends would be more than willing to share their experience.

4. Basement Bar Photos – Check out home design magazines. This medium is another source of ideas in how to build a basement bar. The thing is that your plans of realizing this project only happens when you have your concept clear. These types of magazines help you imagine what you hope to achieve with your basement bar because they show pictures. This is a big advantage especially if your grades in art class were very low.

5. The Right Materials – Materials to use. Yes of course you got to know this. In the planning stage, materials and labor cost are usually what determines a project’s cost. At this point, it is not enough to just know the basics how to build a basement bar. Extra knowledge is a very important factor as well.

6. Supplies and equipment – Common sense and experience will tell you that when you see a bar, there is always liquor and most often music. Although this can be thought of in details when your bar is almost finished, it may help to include this in your preparations. Maybe know a little bit about what brand of wine, brandy, or whatever liquor you know that can suit your taste. Perhaps your preference has a lot to do with the mood you set in your bar. Then of course knowing a little bit about music equipment can lead you to understand what type of speakers you need to install. Acoustic insulation is also a consideration if you want music piped in to your basement bar.

Now that you have the design plan listed out for your little project, it is time to work on it. The good thing about this is that you can do it yourself. If you have no background in carpentry or interior designing, this is a good time to learn. Then maybe, in the future, you might want to share your experience. You might want to return the favor by giving your personal tips on how to build a basement bar.

Excerpt from: Six Tips on How to Build a Basement Bar in Your Home

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The Low Down On Basement Flooring

For decades, basements were considered to be little more than storage rooms, largely unfinished concrete floors and walls, areas where old clothes, toys, tools, boxes of stuff and anything else that was not immediately wanted could be stored. Basement flooring was never even thought about, since no one ever spent much time there. So most basement flooring consisted of the original concrete slab and nothing else.

A few years ago people began to realize that they had a useful additional space that, with the application of some gyprock to the walls and ceiling, some paint and some form of basement flooring, could be transformed into an additional living room or rooms. The addition of furniture, perhaps a bar and/or a media center and you have a wonderful entertainment area. A self contained suite or additional family bedrooms are also options that come to mind.

There is an old saying: Clothes maketh the man. In the same vein,

d?cor maketh the house. And since there are, sometimes, no

windows in a basement for drapes and fashionable blinds, the flooring in the basement will be the basis upon which the whole area will be judged for its looks. You do not have to sacrifice style when choosing the floors for your basement because there is such a wide choice of floorings, materials, paints and prices available.

Types Of Basement Flooring

The basement can be remodeled like any other part of your home. It can be made to suit your style. You do not have to stick with any particular type of flooring for your basement; you have a number of choices.

1) Laminate flooring is most likely the choice that first comes

to mind for the basement. It is budget friendly and easy to install, even by a handyman. It is an easy care product, and aside from the general sweeping and mopping there is not much else to do. This may also offer some solace during get togethers or parties. The inevitable spills of cake or wine are simply wiped up without the hassles that a carpeted floor would cause.

2) Carpeting is another popular choice for your basement

flooring. It is possible to find low prices at many flooring

warehouses. There is, of course, more cleaning and maintenance

involved, but it adds a warmer, more friendly touch to the room. During colder months, you will not have to use so much heat to keep the room cozy and comfortable. Carpeting can be treated to resist dirt and stains but it is not foolproof.

3) Hardwood floors in a basement is not so far-fetched as one

may think and certainly not impossible. There are some concerns, of course, due to the moisture that comes up from concrete or the

possibility of flooding in some areas. If you choose to go for hardwood basement flooring, be sure that the flooring is properly installed over damp proofing and ask about what to do if the floor is damaged by flooding.

4) Concrete flooring can also be made into an attractive looking ?alternative. Firstly, in most homes, it is there already so there is no initial outlay. It can be painted with special paints, it can be dyed with dyes that are made for the job and with professional help it can be made to look like marble or tiles for instance. When using concrete in this way it is a

good idea to use scatter rugs to help the area to stay warm.

About the Author: Author: Brian McQuirk
Beautiful Floors For Your Home

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You have decided that it was time to transform your basement from just a storage place to a fabulous recreation room. Of course, you will need new furniture and probably an entertainment system. However, the basement flooring will be the most important thing to change first.

Why Is Changing Your Basement Flooring so Important?

I’m sure you are wondering why changing your basement flooring is so important. No one really pays attention to it and it’s just a floor after all. The thing is it is way more than just a basement floor. It is also the base of the house and the members of your family won’t certainly want to spend time in a basement that has an unsafe floor.

The vast majority of homes have cement basement flooring. While it is true that this kind of floor has the big advantage of being easier to clean if the basement floods and of keeping the basement cooler during the summer months, there are also several other factors that you should take into consideration about cement flooring if you want to transform your basement into a recreation room.

Firstly, a cement flooring can be lumpy if not properly poured and this can lead people to trip. Moreover, a cement flooring not laid down properly will in time crack and you’ll end up with rubble all over the place and cement dust, which can be a hazard if inhaled. If you are satisfied with the look and condition of your cement flooring, it is recommended to ask those who enter the recreation room to wear shoes or sneakers that are treaded.

Wooden basement flooring might pose another problem if the wood is not treated properly. Because basements are located below ground level, the moisture in the air can lead to mold in on the wooden basement flooring. It is therefore important to make sure that the wood has been treated properly beforehand.

Another reason why wooden floors are not the best idea for a recreation room is because it is a place of high traffic since people will be moving around a lot, and this can scuff the floors. Consequently, it would be preferable to install a carpet over the wooden basement flooring. To choose the best type of carpet, base your decision on the basement’s atmosphere conditions.

As you can see, you have many different options when it comes to choosing, fixing or replacing your basement flooring. Be sure to contact a professional contractor that will be able to assess the original floor and give you an estimate.

Finally, a good basement flooring has to meet at least these three criteria: it should look good, withstand a lot of wear, and above all things, be safe.

About the Author: Find all the information you need about the different types of flooring at http://www.flooring-experts.com

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The rest is here: Basement Makeover: Think About The Basement Flooring First

Most basements are dark, gloomy, and simply serve as a storage area for old toys, clothes, seasonal items, and anything else that is not used on a regular basis. Most of us rarely go down into the basement unless it is to unload more clutter that we don’t want or need.

But, why not turn this gloomy storage room into something functional and useful? Remodeling your basement is a cost-effective way to significantly increase your home’s living space. Suddenly you could have a nice, cozy guest room, a playroom for your children, a home office, a game room; the possibilities are endless!

Below are five simple steps to a brand new basement.

1. Repair any Basement Water Problems First

Even if your basement hardly ever has issues with flooding or dampness, it’s best to take care of the problem completely before beginning any remodeling efforts.

Permanent solutions can take time to put into operation. A smart place to begin is to get in touch with a home inspector who specializes in waterproofing problems.

2. Decide What You Want to Use Your Basement For

This is where you can turn lemons into lemonade. Your Basement has poor lighting? Consider setting up a dark room or a home theater. Is your basement lonely and isolated? The isolation helps provide a nice sound cushion for noisy activities such as a teenager hangout, a game room, or a place for your kids to practice their musical instruments to their hearts content. Use your imagination and come up with something that will benefit your family’s lifestyle.

3. Consider Professional Advice with Your Basement Design

Even though your basement might not be much to look at now, you’ll want to end up with quality living space when the project is finished. An interior designer or architect can help you get the most out of the space. A little forethought and careful planning now can help you design a space that is attractive, comfortable and practical.

4. Consider the Air Circulation

Something important to consider is the air circulation of your basement. When your home was originally built, chances are that there were very few if any registers or vents installed in the basement. When you remodel your basement, you need to think about the need for good air circulation, adding openings where necessary.

To be on the safe side, install a carbon monoxide detector in your basement so that you’ll have an early warning of any problems with the venting of the furnace or any other major appliances.

5. Make the Most of Your Basement’s Natural Light

Depending on what you are using your basement for, you may wish to add more natural lighting. This can be done by enlarging your basement’s windows. Another benefit of larger windows is that they provide additional escape routes in case of fire.

Some may be concerned that by having basement windows that is providing easier access into the home by thieves. One way to lessen that risk is to install glass bricks instead of conventional windows at any location that is high-risk.

Take full advantage of the effect of regular windows by mounting some windows in the interior walls between rooms that open pathways for natural light to reach interior rooms.

About the Author: Christine Griego is the owner of http://www.home-options.info, a website that provides home improvement information, tips, and ideas.

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Excerpt from: Basement Remodeling – Creating A Basement You’ll Love