If you have a basement in your home, you could be sitting on lots of extra space that hasn’t yet reached its full potential. Most basements and cellars are dark, damp and uninviting, so it’s no wonder that homeowners use them for storage and not much else. But with the right preparation, you can quickly find a lot more functional space in your home. Here are some of the most popular uses for a basement.
1. Home office
During the pandemic, lots of office workers were forced to start working from home. And now that restrictions have lifted, a lot of us have realised we’re more productive and happier with this setup. But working from the kitchen table for too long can put additional pressure on you and other household members.
Eventually, you need a dedicated workspace. Not only to help you concentrate during the day, but to help you draw a line between your work time and your leisure time. Your basement could quickly become a fully functioning home office that offers the world’s shortest commute.
2. Home gym
Finding time to get to the gym will get in the way of even the most highly motivated person’s workout plans. By installing a gym in your home, you can skip the commute and ditch the excuses. Working out at home is incredibly practical, particularly for those with young children or hectic work schedules.
All you need to get started is one piece of cardio equipment and a decent weight set. You can then create a workout programme that is both challenging and interesting. Install a TV in your home gym if you want to follow along with online workouts, or simply catch up with the latest Netflix series while you work.
3. Home cinema
If you fancy yourself a bit of a movie buff, why not treat yourself to the ultimate home cinema experience. Your basement is the ideal choice for a home cinema as it will be easy to make the room darker and all you’ll need is a projector and some comfy chairs. If you want to take it one step further, add a popcorn cart, plush red curtains around the screen and moody uplighting to create the perfect home cinema.
4. Wine cellar
If your basement is on the smaller side but you still want to make the most of the space, a wine cellar or pantry would be an ideal choice. This will allow you to expand your wine collection and keep it in the ideal conditions.
5. Extra bedroom
Moving house is one of the most stressful life events, but it’s sometimes necessary if you need the extra space. If your family is growing or you simply need extra space for visitors, consider turning your basement into an extra bedroom. To convert a basement into a comfortable bedroom, you’ll need to carry out a process known as tanking. This creates a barrier between the damp exterior of your home and helps to create a dry space inside. Tapco HomeDry are the experts in basement tanking before popular conversions.
6. Self-contained apartment
If your basement has its own entrance way, you could easily earn extra money from your home by turning the basement into a self-contained studio apartment. This will allow you to rent out your extra space on sites like AirBnB. Your studio space will need a small ensuite and minimalist kitchen area to make it attractive to long and short term guests.
7. Second living room
Family always fighting about the TV? Adding a second living room to your home can be a saviour as young children get older. They’ll have a safe place to hang out with their friends and host sleepovers, and you’ll get to enjoy your lounge without the noise and mess that teenagers bring. A second living room is an excellent use for a basement if your family is growing and you don’t want to give up garden space for building an extension.
8. Games room
Always dreamed of having a snooker table, foosball table or ping pong table in your home? You could turn your basement into your dream games room, making it the perfect space to socialise or wind down at the end of a long day. A games room is a versatile space that could include a home bar, arcade games or pub games like pool.
Once you have converted the space and insulated it against damp, you’ll have complete flexibility over what you can do with the space. This will give you the freedom to enjoy it as a games room for a while, and then turn it into a guest bedroom if the need arises. Adding an extra bathroom to your basement room is an excellent move, as this will make the space far more versatile.
