From Utilitarian to Unique: Why You Should Remodel Your Unfinished Basement

Basements make up a third of our homes but are often unappreciated spaces. Families will often use this space to store out-of-season clothing, old furniture, or the endless holiday decor that somehow grows every year. Even most new or updated homes leave the lower level unfinished, cold, and poorly lit, when it could be transformed into additional living space. 

The right basement renovation can completely change the way you and your family experience your home! We like to think of it as a blank canvas with immense potential, where you can add livable square footage, increase the value of your home, and have the opportunity to create a totally unique space that enhances your life.

Keep reading to find out how a basement remodel can transform the way you live!

Top 3 Benefits of a Basement Remodel:

1. Future Planning

Unfinished basements are generally not included in the calculation of a home’s total square footage, but finished basements are. For example, if your home currently has 2,300 square feet and you remodel an 800-square-foot basement to act as your new family room, suddenly your home is 3,100 square feet. That’s no small amount of space! As your family dynamic grows and needs change, this can be the difference between needing to purchase a new house and the ability to remain in your beloved family home. 

2. Adding Value

More usable square footage almost always translates into higher home values. Adding a finished media or family room in your basement will increase the amount you can sell your home for in the future, should circumstances change. Further, if you are able to add a legal bedroom or two and a bathroom, the boost to your property value will be even greater.

3. Creative Design Opportunities

Commonly, and understandably, homeowners will feel like their design options are limited when it comes to remodeling their basement, or inversely they become overwhelmed looking at a “blank canvas”, like we mentioned earlier. Nonetheless, when you work with a Design Build firm the creative possibilities are both endless AND completely feasible. The fact that you’re working with an underground (or partially underground) space actually provides more unique opportunities that would normally be challenging on the main or upper levels. For example, great natural soundproofing and higher-than-usual windows make basements ideal for home theaters, studio rooms, and hosting social gatherings. They’re also great locations for home gyms, kid’s play areas, and quiet home offices.

Types of Basement Living Spaces:

The sky’s the limit when it comes to basement designs! Here are a few basement remodel ideas to get you started:                       

• Home Theater
• Bar/Entertainment Space
• Family Room
• Sauna
• Home Office
• Game Room
• Home Gym
• Kid’s Play Room
• Laundry Room
• Wine Cellar
• Lounge/Study
• Craft or Art Studio
• Guest/Extra Bedroom
• Guest/Extra Bathroom
• In-law Suite
• Cigar Den

Compared to other types of home remodeling projects, a basement renovation comes with some unique benefits and specific considerations. We have had clients who want the whole nine yards, and others who simply want more flex space. Whatever your vision may be for your unfinished basement, it is important to work with a remodeling company that will ask in depth questions about how you and your family live. This knowledge not only builds trust but also empowers us to present creative design solutions that will fit your needs.

Ready to transform your basement?

We’ve helped homeowners throughout Northern Virginia, Montgomery County, MD, and Washington D.C. create brand new, unique basement spaces that fundamentally transform how they use their living areas. Your basement doesn’t have to remain a forgotten area of your home! It can become a truly special part of it.

Browse our portfolio to see our work and contact us today to learn more, tell us about your ideas, and get started with your project!