Your unfinished basement represents a ton of potential. Turning it into a liveable area where you can relax and entertain might be easier than you think. Follow these steps, and you'll be lounging around down there in no time.
Conduct a Preliminary Damage Assessment
First, you've got to check for any potential damage. A lot of times, there might be a crack in the foundation. Foundation repair is crucial if you want to turn your basement into a living room. Otherwise, all your hard work could be lost. Repairing the foundation doesn't take too long, and it'll make the rest of the work worthwhile.
Properly Seal the Room
After checking for damage, it's time to think about sealing the basement properly. Most unfinished basements aren't entirely waterproof. As such, small amounts of moisture might find their way inside. Applying an industrial-grade sealant to the corners should solve the problem, though. After this important step has been completed, you can move on to other projects.
Think About Floors
Flooring would be the next project on your list. Don't fall for the wooden floors, though. Those tend to wear down a lot faster than other options. We'd suggest tile for the easiest solution. Tile doesn't need a whole lot of attention. Plus, you could always throw a rug on top of it. You can also choose to install carpet if you want something more warm and cozy. Carpets can require more cleaning, especially in a dusty basement, but it can be worth it if you want the warmth. Concrete can be another option. This is an inexpensive option, but isn’t very comfortable. However, you can add rugs to make it more cozy and warm. Concrete flooring is becoming more popular, so it can be a good option if you want your basement to look trendy and modern.
Get Creative With the Walls
Have you thought about what you're going to do with the walls? For a truly sublime experience, start by hanging up some drywall. Make sure there is a little space between the basement's walls and the drywall. Once the drywall is in place, the space will start feeling livable instead of feeling like a dingy basement. After drywall is installed, you can start decorating. Wallpaper tends to be pretty easy to work with, especially if it is peel and stick. So, you might want to use some of that. Nevertheless, there's always something appealing about good old-fashioned paint. You might want to purchase some wall decor too. Unique paintings can start to give your living room character. Don’t underestimate the importance of focusing on designing and decorating your walls.
Choose Lighting
Next, it's time to think about how you'd like the lighting to look. Most basements don't have a ton of windows, and some of them don't have any at all. So, how you plan your lighting will make a huge impact. Blue lights might not feel super relaxing. So, if you want it to feel like a living room, you might want to use something with a reddish hue. You might also want to purchase a few lamps if you don’t want the lighting to be too harsh at night. It will lighten up the room, without being too bright while you are relaxing.
Purchase Furniture
The last thing you will want to do is purchase furniture for your new living space. Think about how much space you have to work with. If you have a large living room, a large sectional sofa can be a great option. If you don’t have enough space for a sectional, a loveseat and some chairs will work great too. Choose a furniture style that you know you will love for years to come. Don’t go with anything too trendy, but also don’t be afraid to show off your personality and taste through furniture. Furniture will tie the whole room together and can create a focal point for the room. Make sure you take enough time to make a decision before purchasing the furniture.
Turning your unfinished basement into a living room is pretty straightforward. Follow the tips in this guide, and you'll be done soon. Then, you can focus on enjoying it.
