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Bring Out The Beauty In Your Basement |
By:
Dionne Voughar |
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Need more living space? Don't want to move? One of the easiest ways to add space to your home is by remodeling your basement. Most of our basements are dark areas, where we store old toys, seasonal decorations, sports equipment, and anything else that we don't use on a regular basis. We rarely go down to the basement, and much of the stuff we've stored gets thrown out or given away when we move.
If this sounds like your basement, maybe it's time to reconsider how you use the space. Remodeling the basement is an affordable and relatively easy way to increase your home's living space. Think of your basement as a future recreation room, guest room, home office or children's play room. Your imagination is the only limit to the possibilities.
You can reclaim your basement in just five easy steps:
1. Dry it out.
Problems with dampness or flooding may be an infrequent occurrence, but it's best to solve the problem before you begin the renovations. It can take time to implement a permanent solution. Seek the advice of an independent home inspector who specializes in waterproofing problems.
2. Plan how you will use your new space.
Consider the characteristics of your basement, and try to use the space accordingly. If your basement lacks natural light, it will make an ideal home theatre or dark room. An isolated area provides a natural sound barrier, so use the space as a music room or teenager's hangout.
3. Design your dream room.
Your basement is a diamond in the rough, and has the potential to become a quality living space. Speak with an interior designer or architect to get a professional opinion on the best use for the space. Careful planning and foresight can go a long way to helping you create an attractive, comfortable, useful room.
4. Go with the flow.
Pay attention to the air circulation. When your home was first built, there were probably few (if any) air registers or vents installed in the basement. When you remodel your basement, consider the importance of good air circulation, and install circulation vents and heat registers wherever necessary.
To be safe, you should also install a carbon monoxide detector in your basement. This device will provide an early warning of any potential problems with the venting of your furnace and major appliances.
5. Bring out the light.
Depending on how you plan on using the space, you'll likely want to create more light in your basement. Installing larger windows creates more light and offers alternative fire escape routes.
A concern some people might have about basement windows is that they can provide thieves with access to the home. One way to mitigate that risk, is to install glass bricks (rather than conventional windows) at any high-risk locations.
You can also maximize the light in your basement by mounting windows in the interior walls, between rooms. This allows additional pathways for natural light to reach the interior rooms.
Contributor Dionne Voughar is a writer for a variety of popular Internet sites, on family life and garden supply topics. You are welcome to reprint this article - but get your own unique content version here.
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Article Source: http://www.statssheet.com/articles/article55726.html |
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