5 Ways That You Can Add Space to Your Basement
- 1. Actually Make It Bigger If you want your basement to look bigger, you should make it bigger. How can you do that? ...
- 2. Knock Down Walls Another way that you can add space to your basement is by knocking down non-load-bearing walls to create more of an open-concept space. ...
- 3. Design Strategically ...
- 4. Pick the Right Furniture ...
- 5. Use Optical Illusions ...
Full Answer
How do you organize a basement with little space?
1 Step One: Evaluate Your Stuff. A basement can be a treasure trove of junk you've long forgotten about. ... 2 Step Two: Choose Your Shelving Solutions. ... 3 Step Three: Categorize Your Items. ... 4 Step Four: Store Items in Plastic Storage Containers. ... 5 Step Five: Make Pantry Space. ...
Do you have to have a finished ceiling in a basement?
While you don’t have to have a finished ceiling in your basement, it can help the space look more complete. Check your ceiling height before installing a ceiling, since it can make your space appear even lower or smaller. Simply painting over the ceiling can make it look better without sacrificing space.
What can you store in a basement?
Other items, like coffee, unopened condiments, and sealed spices can be stored in the basement, as well. Cleaning products and paper products should be categorized and assigned a certain location within your storage system. That way, you'll never have to search for a roll of paper towels or a new bottle of cleaner again.
How do you insulate a basement with plywood?
Install subflooring, especially if your basement has high humidity levels. Lay down polystyrene insulation sheets, and then put the plywood sheets on top. This will form a solid base for any type of flooring you want to add. It will also provide a moisture barrier that can help protect your home.
What to do when you clean out your basement?
How to store small items?
How to store clothes that need to be hung?
What is a catchall basement?
Can you put plastic boxes in basement?
Can you store food in a basement?
Who is Christina Donnelly?
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How do you separate space in a basement?
How To Divide a Basement Into Separate RoomsAdd permanent walls.Add a sliding door.Bring in curtains.Get folding screens.Use a bookshelf.Get some beads or a wall hanging.Get creative with furniture arrangements.
How do you use space in a basement?
16 of the Most Popular Uses for a BasementHome Bar. From sophisticated wine cellar to neighborhood pub to eclectic cocktail lounge–whatever you're serving can be fun and festive in your own home bar.Game Room. ... Den or Informal Living Room. ... Wine Cellar. ... Theater / Media Room. ... Library. ... Extra Storage. ... Workout Room / Home Gym.More items...
How do I make my basement a livable space?
The following are the top seven steps you should take to transform your basement into a livable space.Measure Your Basement. ... Inspect Existing Construction Quality. ... Install Insulation and Moisture Protection. ... Install the Right Egress Windows. ... Inspect for Radon. ... Check for Rot and Pest Damage. ... Install a Sump Pump.
How do I start organize my basement?
How to Clean & Organize Your Basement in 7 StepsTake inventory of your stuff & evaluate. ... Make sure your basement can handle your storage ideas. ... Choose your shelving units & storage solutions. ... Categorize your items & store accordingly. ... Effectively store items using plastic bins. ... Free up other areas of your home.More items...•
Is living in a basement unhealthy?
Hazards commonly found in basements include toxic chemicals, pests, mold, indoor air quality issues (such as dangerous gases) and fire hazards that can affect all rooms of the home.
What should you not store in a basement?
Delicate fabrics. ... Furniture and décor made from natural materials. ... Important papers. ... RELATED: The Safe Way to Store Important Papers »Food (unless you store it carefully) ... Electronics. ... Candles. ... Anything flammable (near heat sources)More items...•
Are basement conversions worth it?
When extra space in the home is needed, basement conversions are worth strong consideration and once complete will add significant value to your property. The decision is far easier if you already have a basement to work with and even more so if the foundations are strong and there is enough headroom.
Why cant I live in my basement?
Basements in a residential property can only be lawfully rented or occupied if its conditions meet the requirements for light, air, sanitation, and exits. The Department of Buildings also must approve the spaces. If you're wondering if your apartment is illegal, you can check with the Department of Buildings.
What is the cheapest way to finish a basement?
If you're wondering if paneling or drywall is the cheaper finishing option, generally speaking, drywall is cheaper than paneling. This is because it requires less attention to detail and finish work during the installation process. Drywall also adds better soundproofing than paneling, and it's easier to repair.
What every basement needs?
7 Things Every Basement NeedsWaterproofing.Sound Proofing.Egress Windows.Quality Lighting.Insulation.Air Circulation.Direct Mount Ceiling.
What is the fastest way to declutter a basement?
Declutter and Clean Out Your Basement in Five StepsStep 1: Take Inventory of Your Basement. ... Step 2: Purge Your Basement of Trash. ... Step 3: Sort Your Basement in Sections. ... Step 4: Store or Donate Items. ... Step 5: Set Your Sale Timeline.
What should be organized first in a house?
It's often best to begin with your storage areas. This will allow you to free up storage space by getting rid of stored items you don't need anymore before you tackle the rest of your home and encounter items that need putting away. If you're ready to go on an organizing journey, here are some tips to get you started.
What is the purpose of crawl space in basement?
Crawl spaces were built to provide a buffer between the house and its inhabitants and the damp, wet earth below. This seemed to make sense for many decades, especially since they were also a convenient place to put utility cables and ductwork used to circulate conditioned air throughout the house.
How do I make my basement functional?
10 Ways To Update Your Basement so It Doesn't Feel Like a...Lighting. Lighting can overcome a myriad of negative issues such as lack of natural light and low ceilings. ... Create an Open Space. ... Don't Forget Decor. ... Consider Using Color. ... Functional and Effective Flooring. ... Ceiling. ... Declutter. ... Window Treatments.More items...
What is the purpose of a basement in a house?
A basement is a useful place to live, work or store items, even today. Some people choose to have a fully furnished basement that functions as a bedroom, while some leave it mostly unfurnished and choose to look at it as more of an additional storage space.
Is a basement a livable space?
While a finished basement is considered living space where your property value is concerned, it's only in rare instances that this living space is counted towards the square footage. Even if your basement is not an exception to the rule, a finished basement is an asset to your property value.
What is the best way to prevent mold and mildew in a basement?
Spray foam: This foam can fill all of the cracks and crevices to help prevent mold and mildew growth. Spray foam can be a messy proposition. It may also cost more than other insulation methods. But it also provides an extra element of protection and can help prevent moisture from making its way into your basement.
What is the humidity level in a basement?
Relative humidity in your basement and throughout your home should, if at all possible, remain at or below 50%. At 80% relative humidity, the risk of mold and mildew starts to climb. Fortunately, the presence of that humidity does not necessarily mean that you cannot continue with your basement renovations. It may simply mean that you need to make a few modifications to your plans. These tips can help you work around high humidity levels in your basement:
What is the first step in a basement renovation?
Once you’ve taken care of the pre-renovation work, it’s time for the active renovation to begin! The first step is insulating the basement walls. Oftentimes, walls in an unfinished basement are simply cinder blocks. Adding insulation can help protect your energy costs and increase the comfort level of your basement.
How much does it cost to renovate a basement?
In general, you can expect an average of $25 to $50 per square foot to finish your basement. An average basement renovation costs around $30,000. But your final price tag will depend on a variety of factors, including what you want to do with the space.
What is a good place to put a spare room?
The basement is a great place for a spare room or for an older child to have space to get away on their own. In order to count as an official bedroom for home appraisal purposes, you will need to make sure that the bedroom has at least two exits in the event of an emergency. Put in a home theater.
How many exits do you need for a basement?
Some cities may require at least two exits from any space you’re in regularly.
How to add value to a home?
Put in a second living room or a rec room. Adding an extra gathering space can add significant value to your home, especially if you started with an unfinished basement. Set up a wet bar. A wet bar may add value to your home for families at any stage of their lives. Put in a playroom for the kids.
What is a cellar used for?
The biggest thing to know here is that cellars are typically fully underground and used for storage. Some people finish them to have an extra level of living space. They can be full, covering the entire footprint of the house, or partial, covering only a portion of the home. Just remember: a standard cellar is different from a wine cellar ...
What is a full basement called in Indiana?
But in Indiana, where my family had our summer house, locals often called the full basement in their homes a cellar, regardless of where it hit ground level. Local housing laws will give you the proper definition of each term, but colloquially, they’re often used interchangeably. The biggest thing to know here is that cellars are typically fully ...
What is a root cellar?
Just remember: a standard cellar is different from a wine cellar or a root cellar. Those are something you add to an existing space, or more often, are a separate space of their own. “Often built underground, into a side of a hill or the ground, a root cellar uses natural cooling and insulation to act like a refrigerator,” Melcher says.
What is crawl space?
A crawlspace. Crawlspaces are generally a part of a basement, but not an entire one. “You go down to the basement to get there, and at maybe chest or waist level is the bottom of the crawlspace,” says Jeff Benach, principal at Lexington Homes. “It’s usually used for storing things.”.
What is a walk out basement?
“A walk-out basement adds square footage to a home, providing additional space for bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas, or even a mother-in-law suite ,” Melcher says. Jennifer Billock.
Is a daylight basement underground?
A daylight basement is similar to a cellar with one distinction —it’s not completely underground. Only about half the space is below ground level. These are also called lookout basements, Benach says. They generally have windows that come down to about your chest, and the space is the same height as a standard floor in the home. These basements are also regularly finished to provide extra living space.
Is a basement considered a cellar?
A cellar. Depending on what part of the world you’re from, a cellar and a basement could mean the same thing. In New York City, for example, if a basement is more than halfway underground, it’s considered a cellar (and disallows garden apartments ).
What to do when you clean out your basement?
A basement can be a treasure trove of junk you've long forgotten about. As you clean out your basement, put items into three categories: keep, donate, and throw away. If you don't find yourself using an item often, consider donating it; if it's in bad condition, it might be time for the dumpster. If you have a hard time letting go ...
How to store small items?
If you have smaller items that need to be stored—and they're not super easy to identify quickly—place them in large, zippered plastic bags and clearly label them with a label maker or painter's tape and a marker. This will come in handy for extra cords and cables, screws, bolts, and nuts, or other small items.
How to store clothes that need to be hung?
If you have gear that needs to be hung up, like winter coats or other out-of-season clothing, consider adding a simple clothing rack to your storage solution. It'll save shelf space, maximize vertical space, and keep your clothes neat and wrinkle-free. Other items that need to be hung, like fire extinguishers, tools, aprons, or gloves can be stored on simple hooks or pegs.
What is a catchall basement?
Basements are often considered catch-alls for your family's ever-growing mountain of stuff. With the right organization and storage tricks, however, you can take your basement from disorganized catch-all, to a beautifully organized space that serves all of your family's storage and organizational needs. Here's how to get started.
Can you put plastic boxes in basement?
They'll protect your gear from heat, humidity, moisture, and pests, make it easier to locate and identify exactly what you're looking for, and last much longer than a cardboard box. Be sure to put a label on the outside of each storage container, so you know their contents.
Can you store food in a basement?
Other items, like coffee, unopened condiments, and sealed spices can be stored in the basement, as well.
Who is Christina Donnelly?
Written by. Christie Donnelly. Christina Donnelly is a writer and editor who has almost a decade of experience writing about pets, home décor, gardening, food, health, and personal finance. Learn about The Spruce's Editorial Process.
