Basement

Design Guide: Basement Bathroom Ideas

(1) The biggest decision when it comes to designing a basement bathroom will be whether to go for a half bathroom which is made up of a toilet and a sink, or to go with a full bathroom which includes a shower/bath. Unless space is a major issue, adding a shower doesn’t add too much to the cost of the remodeling – as one of the major expenses is the plumbing work (which is needed anyway for the sink and toilet).

(2) Going with a vanity sink (pictured) vs. a pedestal sink saves space and adds storage below the sink area.

(3) Built in shelving is another space saving design idea.

(4) Other basement bathroom ideas include incorporating a laundry space. Since the plumbing is already being planned when doing a basement bathroom, a laundry area in the bathroom (or as a room itself in the basement (Design Ideas For That Perfect Basement Laundry Room)) would be a great add on.

(5) Large mirrors will make the small space feel larger (as well as using bright paint colors on the walls (A Palette Guide To Basement Paint Colors)).

(6) Lighting is another design element that can make the bathroom feel larger. A go to choice is recessed ceiling lights. The most important area in a bathroom to light is the space around a mirror. The best way of lighting this is to have one light on each side of the mirror (pictured) and even one above the mirror shining down. In the daytime nothing will beat daylight shining through the windows. You’ll want to go with frosted or block windows for privacy.

(7) When it comes to the floors, options include tile, concrete or vinyl (Flooring Ideas For a Basement). 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8

14 Different Room Ideas For a Basement

February 6, 2013 in Basement, Bathroom

Simple Basement Storage and Organization Ideas

The basement is generally one the best places for storage and organization as it is out of sight. When going down the stairs, hooks can line the walls to hang up extra jackets. Or if your staircase is wide enough, shelves can line the wall.

The space under the staircase is one area ripe for different basement storage ideas and solutions. In the photos above (2) (5) (10) there are basements that have shelves and wine racks fitted under the staircase. This nook can also be tailored to a home office (Ideas For Turning a Basement Space Into A Home Office) or small playroom (Fun Basement Playroom Ideas: From Softening the Floor to Swings).

Pictures (4) and (8) show ways that the ceiling and rafters can be used as storage space.

Using curtains is a great and simple way of closing off storage shelves and spaces. They can also be used to create rooms or sections in the basement – curtain off gym equipment, closets, or a home office when not in use (7).

If you have a finished basement space, then built in cabinets would be a great idea. For basement laundry room ideas have a look at our post here (Design Ideas For That Perfect Basement Laundry Room) or for basement wine cellar ideas (3 Ideas for Basement Wine Cellar Designs). 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9/10

February 6, 2013 in Basement, Storage

Looking at Basement Kitchen Ideas and Designs

One of the main things to consider when looking at basement kitchen ideas and photos, like the ones above, is the general layout and style you want. Since most basement kitchens are accompanied by a family room, the best designs tends to be open planned. Some ways to divide the space include using a countertop which can also double as a bar (8 Different Basement Bar Ideas and Designs) or having a small kitchen island.

Other design elements that will determine the style of the kitchen are the cabinets and the walls. When it comes to the walls you can simply have it painted or have a textured finish using stone or tiles (A Palette Guide To Basement Paint Colors), (Decorating Basement Walls: Ideas from Stamped Concrete to Chalkboard Paint).

When it comes to lighting, the same applies to any kitchen lighting design. You want to have lighting focused around any work areas. So under cabinet lights that shine down onto countertops are great, as well as pendant lights hanging over a kitchen island or bar countertop. An alternative idea would be to use track lights which can have each individual light angled to a specific area.

Side Note: If you are planning a remodeling of a basement and looking to have a kitchen installed, which will require plumbing work, why not add in laundry room (if you have space) and have all the plumbing done at once (Design Ideas For That Perfect Basement Laundry Room). 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8/9

14 Different Room Ideas For a Basement

February 6, 2013 in Basement, Kitchen

8 Different Basement Bar Ideas and Designs

(1) One way of designing a basement bar is to keep it sleek and simple, like designing any other room in the house. This way it is more of a family bar, compared to the few design ideas below (Sports, Irish, etc.).

(2) A simple design idea is to forget about the seating bar countertop and instead just have drink cabinets and an area where you can prepare the drinks. This will leave more room for a family area, pool table, couches, etc.

(3) To create a more bar like atmosphere, how about tailoring the design to a sports bar. Use a wooden countertop, hang sporting memorabilia on the walls, hang up a TV or 3, and put in a pool table, foosball table, and a darts board if there is space. Other ways of creating a sports bar atmosphere is to fit draft taps, and hang neon bar signs.

(4) Another design style to create a bar around is an Irish pub. Here the ideal design elements are a wooden countertop, exposed brick walls or wooden clad walls. Frame the countertop with wooden arch like in this picture.

Decor ideas include good ol Irish beer signs, wooden furniture, and splashes of green using small lamps shades, an Irish flag, four leaf clover decals, Irish signs (found on Etsy and Amazon), or coasters.

Look here for a great example of an Irish pub – notice how the green on the sign is a more moldy green than a neon bright green.

(5) Jukeboxes, red cushion bar stools, booths, straw dispensers, a sundae bar, black and white floor tiles, and neon signs are ways of creating a retro basement bar.

(6) Other basement bar ideas include going for a more rustic design. Plan to have the countertop base made out of stone, overhead beams made out of wood or log, and use wrought iron light fixtures (Rustic Decor Ideas For a Basement).

(7) Use contemporary leather bar stools (like the ones pictured), a granite or marble countertop instead of wood, and contemporary light fixtures made out of chrome or brush steel to create a more luxurious and modern bar design. For other luxury basement designs and pictures have a look at our post here (Luxury Basement Interior Designs).

(8) Don’t forget, there is the choice between a simple dry bar and a wet bar which includes a sink and requires plumbing work. 1/2/3/4/5/6/7/8