Basements can be more than just a room for stashing for hoarded junk; they can also be areas worthy of a master bedroom. Turning a room that’s stereotypically used as storage into a place fit for living is a fun challenge that has great payoff, including but not limited to significantly raising a house’s value.
The Process of a Basement Bedroom Renovation
Basement Finishing
Before a basement can be turned into a bedroom, it must be finished because unfinished basements are not safe or appropriate to live in. Finishing a basement means installing walls, plumbing, flooring, painting the walls and more so that the space is habitable. Because of how much work is needed for a basement finishing, a permit is needed to ensure that the basement is finished in a way that complies with up-to-date safety standards to avoid health issues. Basement finishing is a job for licensed professionals because safe, quality electrical work and plumping requires the skills of someone with expertise in the field. Also, basement living spaces have additional building codes they must follow, such as having an emergency exit, so those turning their basement into a bedroom should let the professionals assisting them know.
In this stage, homeowners are able to choose the material they want for flooring, for example durable laminate or low-maintenance vinyl, if they want suspended ceilings or ceiling tiles, what type of lighting fixtures they want, what color they want the walls, and more.
Renovating
After the basement has been finished, it is ready to be renovated. Homeowners who dislike how their basement was previously finished may choose to make changes, for instance with the flooring or wall colors, when renovating. Though it’s a project safe to DIY, hiring professionals can make the event easier—especially in case any unforeseen challenges arise. Basement renovations differ slightly from regular room renovations as they have structural limitations, for instance visible pipes or low ceilings, that need working around.
For basements that weren’t just finished, it is critical to do an inspection that checks for moisture—which can later lead to mold or even flooding, if there is anything behind the walls, and if there is any structural, electrical, or plumbing work that must be done. If there are areas with moisture, it is important to find out where exactly the moisture is coming from and to stop it as soon as possible. Catching problems early prevents small issues from becoming larger setbacks in budget and time by the time the renovation has actually begun.
The first step of a successful basement bedroom renovation is to draft how exactly the bedroom will look. This can be done by preparing a floor plan of the basement with accurate measurements then deciding where furniture, appliances, and decoration will go. Modern technology has even made it so that there are programs that can create a 3D model of a basement, which makes judging the placement of large furniture easier than ever before. This step saves money and time in the long run as homeowners won’t accidentally spend money on furniture they don’t have room for.
The next step is figuring out costs. In this part of the process, all the essential bills like repairs should come first before the prices for décor are factored in. Sometimes it may be necessary to search for a cheaper version of a particular lamp if the one in mind will prevent spending on moisture barriers and insulation. Other costs might include the hiring of a contractor and the cost of a permit if the basement had to be finished pre-renovation.
After costs have been calculated, and everything is set, then the renovation can begin. Depending on how much is being changed and who is overseeing the project, a basement bedroom renovation can take anywhere from a few weeks to months.
Tips and Ideas for Decorating
Bedrooms are essentially safe spaces, so it is important for homeowners to design a bedroom they or others will enjoy using. Lighting can really make or break a basement bedroom and should be one of the first factors up for consideration. Warm lighting can give basements a homey feel they might not have had, and this can make relaxing in a basement bedroom far easier.
In a similar vein, it’s a good idea to choose warm, bright colors for the walls and accent colors. Basements are traditionally dark places, so this, like good lighting, will help with making the room seem more inviting. However, this doesn’t mean to paint the walls neon orange. Rather, it is suggested to keep the walls a bright, neutral tone like white or beige and to add pops of bright colors like yellow or pink through pillows or wall decorations.
While basements aren’t necessarily small, creating visual space is never a bad idea. Choosing certain patterns that seem to add space to a room or strategically placing mirrors to open the room up can make a basement feel less cramped. This is even more important for homeowners who plan to add features like walk in closets, sizable appliances, and multiple pieces of large furniture to their bedroom.
It helps to have an idea of what the bedroom’s general aesthetic will be, for instance modern and minimalist or rustic and farm-like. This is useful when shopping, for while there are bound to be many nice bed sheets and pieces of wall art, not all of them will match with the bedroom’s proposed design.
The Benefits of a Basement Bedroom Renovation
Besides the obvious bonus of having a new, completely custom room to sleep in and enjoy, basement bedroom renovations offer the boon of being an investment with almost guaranteed return. Not only do basement bedrooms raise property value, they are also spaces that can be rented out for profit. For homeowners who enjoy having company over, basement bedrooms can serve as guest bedrooms so friends can stay the night. Basements are essentially free spaces waiting to be taken advantage of, and turning one into a bedroom will do just that.
