If you’re planning a basement remodel, you likely have a few ideas about what you want or need in the space. Whether it’s going to be a playroom for your kids or a family space with an extra bedroom, you want to love it from day one – and for years to come. As design/build company, we always recommend the following elements, no matter how you’re planning to use your basement.
Even if your main purpose for the space is a movie screening room, add light. You can always turn them off, however, if you don’t have enough light in a room, it’s hard to add good light with table lamps after the fact. Can lighting is great, especially when you use fixtures that can accommodate dimmable bulbs.
Few unfinished basements have much electric. Those that were finished years ago don’t have many outlets. Today’s code requires outlets along each wall, no more than 12 feet apart. You may want more outlets along the wall you plan for your entertainment space and at the height you plan on mounting your TV.
Unless your home is a recent build and you’re just looking for a design/build company to finish the basement, consider new windows. This is especially true if you don’t have a walk-out basement door. You need to be able to escape the home in the event of an emergency. Often, windows in older home basements don’t open or are very difficult to open. Add to that the fact that they’re likely not energy-efficient and you’ll now be heating and cooling the space, this is just a good idea all around.
If your basement is currently your storage space and you want it to be a living space, you’re going to need some organized built-in storage. There are two ways to go about this. One idea is to build a wall with cabinets and store out-of-season décor here. Another is to build a separate room for storage. Include it in your calculations for heated and cooled space if you’re finishing a basement rather than undergoing a basement remodel.
We know this isn’t a necessity. However, if your home has central gas, a ventless gas fireplace can quickly warm the space, add ambiance and act as a focal point for the room. If you currently have a wood-burning fireplace, consider converting it to a gas fireplace.
Not only do we insist on adding insulation along the outside walls, but also over the space above. Or, if the space will be a game room, playroom, man cave, music rehearsal space or movie viewing room, you may want to keep the sound in the basement. Planning sound insulation during the basement remodel will save you a lot of headaches in the future.
We’re Nashua’s leading design/build company and provide expert remodeling services, including basement finishing and basement remodeling, for homeowners in southern New Hampshire and northern Massachusetts. Call us today for a free consultation to discuss your basement remodel or any other remodeling project. Dial (603) 880-3761 or fill out our contact form.
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