Making the most of the space in your home gives you the best bang for your buck — if you have a basement, take advantage of it. Finishing your basement can increase your property value and give you another space to create memories with family and friends.
As you make a plan and work through finishing your basement, keep these things in mind to create functional living spaces.
GET HVAC HOOKED UP
Getting heating, ventilation, and air conditioning hooked up is a critical component to having a comfortable, complete basement. Basements are naturally more prone to moisture and humidity, and an HVAC system will help keep these things under control while also keeping your basement from feeling stuffy.
REMEMBER LIGHTING AND DECOR
While there are logistical tasks like setting up HVAC that create a functional living space, don’t forget the importance of making the space inviting, too. Otherwise, you may find yourself still opting to stay upstairs. Cozy lighting and comfortable seating are key to creating a functional living space. It’s important to get this right because basements typically lack windows and, therefore, lack natural light.
ADD INSULATION
Protect your walls from noise and low temperatures by adding insulation. When choosing insulation, consider the R-Value, material, safety ratings, and cost. Reducing the heat loss in your basement won’t just make it more comfortable, but it could also reduce your energy bills by an average of 15%.
ADD PROPER PLUMBING AND WIRING
Depending on the shape of your basement right now, you might need to add plumbing and wiring. Plumbing and wiring in your basement lets you utilize the space for a kitchen, bar, bathroom, or laundry room. Plus, a basement is typically a convenient area to adding plumbing and electrical lines since most homes have their main plumbing and electrical connections routed through the basement.
CONSIDER A BAR OR KITCHEN
Basements can be great places for hosting small parties and events, making a wet bar or kitchenette a nice addition to a basement. Having a kitchen or bar in the basement makes having friends and family over convenient, eliminating the need for your guests to run upstairs when they’d like some food or a drink. This makes your basement more of a complete living space on its own rather than just an extension of your house.
MAKE FLEXIBLE SPACES
For many families, a basement needs to serve multiple purposes. To have a functional basement, consider making some spaces dual-use. For example, you might create a home office in the basement that can double as a gym or art studio. Or, if you have children, a playroom might double as a guest room. Take these multi-space areas into consideration as you buy furniture — a fold-out futon might be most practical in a guest room, for example, since it takes up less room than a bed.
At Miller’s Building Supply, we stock a complete line of building products like drywall and insulation that can help you complete your basement. View our selection online or stop by and see us at 1819 East Monroe St in Goshen, Indiana.