Basement Remodeling Ideas: Overcoming Obstacles

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Copyright: Nicole Sassaman Designs. Photo credit: Michael McCreary. If you're looking for extra space to expand your home and haven't considered your basement, you're missing out on the possibilities of this perennially underrated room. Long relegated to use as little more than laundry rooms and storage areas, basements now are everything from guest suites to media rooms. Try these ideas to turn your lowest room from a cold, dark afterthought into a warm, inviting centerpiece. Accentuate the Positive The obstacles that come with basement renovation territory are many: little to no natural light, exposed ductwork, concrete structural beams and low ceilings are just a few problems many homeowners encounter when planning a basement remodel. But instead of looking at the lowest room in your home as a hopeless case, consider the positive aspects the space provides. "A basement provides a lot of raw space to work with," says Sharon McCormick, principal of the Durham, Conn.-based Sharon McCormick Design, LLC. "Ductwork can be boxed in with hollow beams or drywall, creating an interesting coffered or soffited ceiling. Or, copper or tin square suspended ceiling panels can lend a historic feeling." Have a more modern sensibility? McCormick suggests painting exposed mechanicals and joists black to create a trendy loft-like ambiance. Choose the Purpose Wisely Choosing the right purpose for the room and planning it wisely can give homeowners a head start on making the area more inviting. Copyright Sharon McCormick, photo by Sharon McCormick. "The first thing to do is detail what activities you would like to accommodate," McCormick says. "Game rooms with a billiards table, poker table, arcade games and bar are well-suited to a basement space because you don't have to worry about the weight of the equipment. Creating a moody, masculine game room is a breeze in a dark basement." Another room that uses a basement's natural characteristics to its advantage is a home gym. Designer Nicole Sassaman, owner of Los Angeles-based Nicole Sassaman Designs, turned her basement into a workout area. "A room that benefits from the cold, like a gym, is a good choice for a basement makeover," she says.

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