If you have a basement included as part of your home, have you ever considered utilizing the space for a bonus guest or living room? It’s a great way to make use of the space and add to the square footage of your home without a major investment or renovation work.
With that being said, transforming your basement from a bare and dark storage space into a livable space can feel overwhelming at the start. To make the beginning a little easier, we’re offering our best frugal tips to take your basement from drab to fab. Read on.
List Your Top Priorities
First, make a list of your priorities for the new space. If you’re designing it with your partner, you should both provide input to come to a decision together. For example, what do you envision the final space to look like? Do you want a bedroom or a living space? Will there be a downstairs bathroom as well? What about the laundry or a game room? The options are limitless, so take the time to narrow down your decisions early on to avoid a headache down the road.
Know When to Hire a Professional
Depending on the state of your basement, there may be some technical concerns that will need to be addressed before any decorating begins. Keep in mind that some of these items might need to be handled by a professional for the best results. For example, a basement leak repair or wiring new electricity to the area should be left to the experts.
Tackling these before anything else is a top priority. Otherwise, you could ruin all of your hard work with excess moisture or other damaging issues.
Get Creative to Create Space
Most basements are small by nature, but that doesn’t mean your space has to feel limiting. In fact, think of it as your challenge to get creative to make space in your basement. For example, recessed lighting is a great way to brighten up the room without taking up ceiling height or making the room feel smaller.
Additionally, convertible furniture like futons, Murphy beds, expandable tables, and rolling kitchen islands are great, functional pieces that can adjust to create more space. First Floor Basement Renovation
Use What You Have or Shop Secondhand
With your technical issues squared away and extra space made to create a welcoming atmosphere, it’s time to fill up space with furniture. Outfitting an entirely new studio or living area can quickly become expensive if you use traditional shopping methods.
Shopping secondhand or getting creative with what you already have are two great ways to fill the new room without breaking your budget. Take a look inside your home and ask yourself if there’s anything that’s unnecessary that could be better utilized elsewhere. If so, try to incorporate it downstairs. Does the color or style not match? Use a coat of spray paint or some gold foil to make it fit the new aesthetic. You can also visit thrift stores that sell furniture at much lower costs.
Create a Space that Feels Like You
No space in your home is complete without all the little touches that make it feel like you. From trinkets and photos to favorite throw blankets and plants, the little things can really go a long way.
Let the Transformation Begin
Are you up for the challenge of transforming your basement into a functional bonus room? All it takes is a bit of creativity, frugality, and eye for design. Use the tips above as your starting point and get to renovating.
