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The Best Tips on Remodeling Your Basement

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Finishing your basement can add extra room to your home and also increase it's value. Even if it's currently full of boxes and discarded items, your basement probably has lots of potential.If you do it right, it might just become the most popular space in your house, and for a lot less than adding on. Find out how to turn this underutilized space into a place you'll love to spend time in.

Before You Start

You will want to make sure your basement is dry and free from damp areas.
Many local regulations require that the basement is a least seven feet tall, so always consult your local building codes.
If you want to add plumbing or wiring, you need to check your existing systems to see what upgrades have to be done. You'll also need a permit for this work.
Insulate and waterproof your walls.
Basement building codes require installing egress windows to allow for emergency escapes.
Seal around pipes and wires and insulate the pipes.

Plan Your Layout

Take time to draw up a simple layout plan and chop and change as needed. It's easier to change things on paper than to change your mind once you're already remodeling. Put the main socializing area in a spot that receives the best natural light if possible. Place the TV-viewing area in a darker space to reduce glare and create a home theater feel.

Think about including a bedroom and bathroom, this makes an ideal suite for teens or guests. Building codes require that bedrooms need an egress window, so they'll have to be located on the perimeter. Decide on the best room size for your needs. To comfortably fit a double bed the room needs to be a minimum of 125 square feet.

You may want to include a wet bar or mini kitchen to make basement entertaining easier. Including a mini kitchen turns a basement with a bath into a complete guest suite. A Laundry room is another great basement addition, but it needs a floor drain and access to an outside wall for the dryer vent.

Finish Walls and Ceilings

Basement walls are usually made of poured or stacked concrete block. These materials reinforce the feeling that the basement is a secondary space. To give your basement main-floor style cover the walls with your choice of material, such as drywall, paneling, plywood, or paint. When it comes to basement ceilings you can choose to use paneling, put in a drop ceiling, or leave everything exposed and paint it with a sprayer.

Flooring

Concrete floors can be painted, or covered with vinyl, laminate, tile, or carpet. Choose whatever is most comfortable and practical for your lifestyle.

Install Good Lighting

A good lighting plan is key to banishing gloom and making your basement and inviting spot to gather. In addition to recessed lights, consider track lights and pendants to help eliminate shadows in areas where you'll be reading, working, or playing. Floor and table lamps are another great way to illuminate the surroundings.

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