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Remember the days when the basement in your house was used mostly as a storage area? Maybe your washer and dryer were down there, but that was the only reason most people went to the basement. Sometimes children were even afraid to go in the basement, because it was full of cobwebs and other creepy things.

That’s no longer the case. If you have a basement, you are literally walking all over what could be turned into a wealth of extra living space. Why not take advantage of the space you already have?

Before you start with a basement renovation, make sure the room is dry. Check all the interior walls and floors for water damage, and make sure the foundation of your home is up to par. If your basement has flooding issues during rainstorms, you’ll want to address them before you begin.

You’ll also want to check the ceiling for exposed pipes and electrical wires. If they exist, install a drop ceiling in the basement to give the room a homey feel, while keeping easy access to pipes and wires.

Then it may be time for some serious cleaning. Many families end up using the basement to store anything and everything that they don’t know what to do with. While it’s not bad to keep an area of the basement for storage, you want to turn as much of it as you can into a place for enjoyment and entertainment, not junk.

Now that you’ve gotten all of the necessities out of the way, it’s time to start planning the fun part. Here are just some ideas of how you can use your newfound space.

1. Home Gym: Gather up your weights, treadmill, and other gym equipment, and make a workout area. If you have a bathroom with a shower in the basement, it would be good to place the gym nearby. You’ll also want it close enough to some entertainment, like a television or speakers for music.
2. Home Office: If you have a home-based business, or even if you’re just looking for a spot to do paperwork or study, a home office is what you need. If you have a window in your basement, that’s not a bad place to put the office, so you have a bit of a view for when daydreaming moments hit.
3. Kids’ Playroom: Have toys overtaken your house? If you can’t walk from room to room without stepping on a Lego, you’ll want to make a playroom in your basement. Here would be a good place for extra shelves or a closet for the toys, games, and “stuff.” This is a space that will change as your kids grow, so keep it neutral, or be prepared to redecorate over the years.
4. Game Room: Pool, ping-pong, air hockey, foosball—all these tables and more can go in the game room, providing endless hours of fun and friendly competition. Make sure you have ample room for your choices. You can’t put a pool table too close to a wall, or some shots will be compromised.
5. Home Theater: Movie buffs will love this section of the room. You can outfit it with a large-screen TVmounted on the wall,or a projector, surround-sound speakers, and even theater seats to make you feel like you’re really at the movies. Bring the popcorn popper with you, and you’ll even have the authentic smell.
6. Craft Room or Art Studio: If painting or crafting are your ways to relax, you can make an area of your basement dedicated to that. You’ll want lots of table space and plenty of open storage area for paints, brushes, and other supplies, so that you can easily find what you need. And just think of how much neater your dining room will stay without your craft supplies all over the room!
7. Band Room: There’s nothing worse than having to transport musical instruments, amplifiers, and the assorted wires, supplies, etc. that go with it; and that’s not to mention the drum set. With a music room in your basement, all of that equipment can stay in one place, set up, so you can invite the band over for a jam session whenever the mood strikes.
8. Wine Cellar/Brewery:Are you a wine or beer aficionado? You can set up a wine cellar or small brewery in your basement. You’ll have plenty of space to store your favorites, and bring them out when guests come over.

Ready to get some style in your basement? Contact Newline Design Center at 708-277-9099, or visit our showroom at 9119 151st Street, Orland Park, IL. We’ll help you create a basement you can enjoy for years to come.