Basements get a bad rap. Often the keeper of seldom used junk and a graveyard for bugs and cobwebs, they can lack design appeal. Viewed as large and cavernous. Cold and dark. Overseer of utilities. Neglected and a bit "unloved". Even kind of creepy.
On the flipside, I think they are a huge area of opportunity! Talk about unused square footage! Fear no more! There are endless ways to update your basement without breaking the bank. Don't overlook this area of your home because you think it'll take a huge investment to spiff it up. Having another area where kids can "hang out" on cold winter days is ideal. Especially when you can just close the door and worry about the mess later!
Of course I always recommend to start by figuring out what you want to use the space for; is it a play area for the kids? Wine storage? A home gym or office? Determining how you will use the space will help you plan your space to fit your needs. I suggest you keep an area of your basement for storage because after all, where are you going to put all that stuff?
Click here for a fantastic basement space planning guide!
HGTV nailed it with this basement remodel! Painting the existing floors, walls and ceiling made for a quick and easy update and instantly adds light and an industrial vibe to the new space. To keep costs to a minimum they used floor to ceiling curtains to divide the room, rather than adding walls.
If you have an older home with exposed brick and wood ceilings, here's another option; paint the brick and add some inexpensive laminate wood flooring. Easy to keep clean and it warms up the look and feel of the space.
Because basements are bonus space that you don't have to see on a day-to-day basis, you can get creative with your design. Use your creative license to do the things you've been dreaming of doing, but just aren't quite daring enough to do it in your main living areas. Use a fun paint color. Try a DIY project. Have some fun!
Not sure what to do with those unsightly walls? Try this! It's an easy, stylish way to cover ugly walls or to section off areas. Just hang some pretty floor to ceiling curtains. Voila!
If you are a DIYer (or just dream of being one), I encourage you to try creating a pallet wall. This one, found on Cape27Blog ,cost a mere $20! And it's gorgeous! I would love to try this in my basement (hint, hint honey... ;-) )
Looking for an inexpensive way to update the stairs leading down to your lower level? How about this clever idea? Painted & Numbered...Love it! This could be my next "snow-day" project (if we ever get snow in NH this year!).
It's important to furnish your new space with comfortable pieces that will invite you and your guests to go downstairs and stay awhile. If you plan on using the space for movie watching, game night or for lots of kids to gather, it'll be important to select durable, stain proof fabric and lots of seating! I love all of the color choices in this room. Bright, fun and inviting.
If you envision your basement becoming an extension of your living area, then I love the idea of replacing your panel door with an interior French door. It gives the feeling that you are welcome to go downstairs.
Because I am always trying to stay one step ahead of my kids, I loved this idea of hanging a mirror in the staircase for easy spying! Gotta love a mom who outsmarts the kids!
I hope I got you thinking about the space below your house! It's time to clean it out and give it a fresh, new meaning! Check out my Pinterest board, Basement Makeovers, for loads of great ideas and inspiration!
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee is an absolutely wonderful designer. Very talented and easy to work with! She will transform your room or outdoor space into exactly what you want, only better!
Talented, creative, dedicated, great communicator. Renee is such a special person.
We have worked with Renee Carman at this company for almost 2 years. Renee is professional, personable, and a pleasure to know. She is very helpful and will go the extra mile to please her clients. Renee has excellent expertise and knowledge of interior design. We have a beautiful home and highly recommend her.
Renee possesses a rare combination of artistic creativity and intuitive design. Her warmth and compassion extended beyond working with us to understanding the style and feel of our home and how we live in it. We felt fortunate to work with and get to know Renee and absolutely love the updates she made to our home- from windows and walls to artwork and furniture!
Renee was a pleasure to work with and has great vision. We were doing a total rehab of a recently purchased property and she was able to look at a gutted out '50s cottage and turn it into a beautiful mid-century modern home. She understood our budget and timeline and was good about narrowing all our options down to just a few choices. This expedited the process, made it less difficult and more enjoyable. Once the rehab is done, we look forward to working with her again and finish the rest of the rooms.
Renee at Mandeville Canyon Interior Design was simply wonderful to work with. She was able to understand what we were looking for in terms of color, function and design from the moment we first spoke. She's easy to work with, goes above and beyond and delivers an outstanding design.
I highly recommend Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design. I don't think I will attempt to decorate another room in my house without the help of Renee!
Love working with Renee and Mandeville Canyon Interior Design ! I had the opportunity to collaborate on a large scale design project recently and the results were fantastic! Creative, resourceful and one of kind design ideas made this design opportunity with Renee "one of a kind" Have a large or small project? You won't be disappointed!!
Renee not only has an amazingly creative eye, she also directed a massive renovation for us this past year that included the challenges of operating during the pandemic. She put together a team that had an incredible work ethic and brought the project in on-time and on-budget. She's a great listener. When we threw ideas at her, she was never dismissive; quite the contrary, she made them better. Her patience, attention to detail combined with her whacky sense of humor meant we were all able to smile while producing a home that we love. A great talent and a great lady.
Rene is amazing! Great customer care and wonderful attention to detail.