10 Things You Won’t Regret Doing When Finishing a Basement
We finished our basement around two years ago now. After living with it this long, we have grown to really appreciate certain things that we did when finishing it. I have compiled a list of 10 things that we did that we not only don’t regret doing but are thrilled with! If you plan on finishing your basement, I hope reading this list first will help you in the decision making process. Here are the 10 things you won’t regret doing when finishing a basement:
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1. Waterproofing
First things first, you’re going to want to protect your basement from water coming in and causing damage. It’s important to have a professional evaluate your basement to see what your needs would be. You don’t want your newly finished basement to be unprotected!
2. Adding a Built In Dehumidifier
Basements tend to be prone to moisture and being musty. Before we finished ours we went through quite a few free standing dehumidifiers like the one shown above. We opted to go with a built in dehumidifier system. It is centrally located in the utility area and has ducting to wall vents in the living space. It is much quieter than a free standing unit and more powerful, too. It drains directly so there’s nothing to empty, and you can also regulate how much or little humidity you want. It’s so nice and handy not having a free standing one in the middle of everything or having anything to maintain, and the air feels fresh down there!
3. Removing Any Poles
Originally there was a pole in the middle of the basement. It was in the way of where we were going to have the couch, and we just wanted a more open feel without a pole being in the middle of everything. So we had it evaluated and removed by professionals. In it’s place they put a support beam across the ceiling and two new poles on either end that are out of the way and encased in the new walls. In the picture above you can see where one of the new poles was placed by the stairs before it was encased.
So glad there isn’t a pole in the middle of this room. That is why it is one of the 10 things you won’t regret when finishing a basement!
4. Adding Egress Windows
The addition of egress windows made such a huge impact! They give less of a basement “feel” and add so much light and beauty to the space. It’s also so nice to open them and get fresh air. They also make the basement up to code, allowing for sleepovers (second exit/fire escape). This was important to us to of course make it safe, but also because we planned on using the space as a guest room as well as for sleepovers for our kids and their friends.
5. Adding a Bathroom
Before finishing the basement, this house only had one and a half bathrooms. So we really don’t regret adding one down there. It is convenient to have one for when you need one and are down there already, but it is also nice to have another shower in the house when the other one is in use. The basement would also be used as a guest room, so then a full bathroom is also perfect to have for overnight guests.
You can read more about the basement bathroom addition here
6. Using Pocket and Barn Doors
We had two spots that needed doors, one to the laundry room and one to the bathroom. Due to the smaller size of the basement, we chose to do a barn door and a pocket door. The look is so clean without any doors swinging open, and the barn door especially adds a lot of character.
7. Using a French Door Entrance
I really love the look of French doors. This was a great place for one because it not only looks great both from the downstairs and upstairs, it also opens up the space. I like that when you are in this hallway you automatically get the feeling that there is more space downstairs, and not just a door blocking your view. We also added a pull down shade on the other side of the door in case anyone wants privacy or to darken the room.
8. Adding Stair Lights
When stair lights were first recommended to me, my first reaction was that they were unnecessary and even a little frivolous. Now I’m so glad we did it. Not only does it look great, it actually comes in handy when the staircase is dark (there aren’t any other lights here). They also add a great ambiance during a movie night as well as a lit path on the stairs if needed. You won’t regret adding them!
9. Fitting in an Extra Refrigerator
An extra refrigerator just fit in this spot in the laundry room under the stairs. We love having it here! It’s always helpful for extra food storage for the family or for a party, plus it’s great for grabbing a drink or snack while you’re in the basement.
You can read more about the laundry room here
10. Creating Lots of Storage
You just can’t have too much storage space. When designing the cabinet that would go under the tv, I wanted there to be cubbies to fit containers for storage. We have the kids’ school papers, craft supplies, games, dvds, toys, etc. in these bins. We also made sure to fill the laundry room with cabinets as well. In there we have cleaning supplies, snacks, paper towels and more. You will never regret more storage!
You can read more about the entertainment center and cubbies here
That completes the list of 10 things you won’t regret when finishing a basement.
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30 Comments
Martha
Liz, I love your 10 great things for basements! I also wish you lived closer to us! 😊. It’s beautiful, functional and so welcoming!
Liz
So sweet of you to say, thanks!!
LeeAnn Varga
Really great ideas here! I love the stair lights you added and your use of a french door in that hallway!
Liz
Thanks! Those are 2 of my favorites!
CR
How big is your basement?
Liz
Approximately 400 square feet (not including the furnace area and crawl space that is behind the bathroom and unfinished)
Hannah
Great post! I love all the after photos, so pretty!
Liz
Appreciate that, thank you!!
Brunilda
Hi Liz,
Thank you for sharing this. I have a question, for the basement bathroom was the street waste water line higher than the toilet would have been? If so what did you do about that ?
Liz
Our sewer line ran under the basement, and they jackhammered through the floor and connected directly to it. Let me know if you have more questions about it!
Tallia
Your basement is beautiful! These are all great ideas!
Liz
Thanks so much! We’re so glad we did it.
Aly
I windows!!! That along just made your basement not even feel like a basement! And great idea with the dehumidifier!
Liz
Yes!! The windows really changed everything. Thanks so much!
Patricia
Great idea and beautiful basement, I am presently in the process of doing mine. Thinking about adding a window and French door at the same place you did; after seeing your window will most definitely installed the extra window.. thank you very much for the inspiration
Liz
Thank you, I’m so glad! The windows have made the biggest impact, I am so thankful that we did them. Just an incredible difference, makes it feel like it’s not a basement. You will be thrilled!
Laura Hayes
Hi Liz –
Love this list! – my basement renovation is going to have to take advantage of some of these! Like the door and the egress windows! Curious do you know where you got the basement steps lights from?
Liz
Oh, great! Our electrician had the idea to add them, and so he went with a company and product that he knew. I don’t have any details, unfortunately!
Bryana B.
Love. Love. Love.
What paint color did you use for the walls/trim/stairs??
Liz
Thanks so much! The walls are SW accessible beige (the laundry room and bathroom are SW repose gray). All of the trim is SW alabaster, including the white on the stairs.
BoyMomBosslady
You’ve made such a great transformation for a very useful and inviting space. Could you reference the product that you used on the walls for waterproofing? And did you treat the floors as well? If so, what did you use for that?
Liz
Thanks so much! We actually hired a professional water proofing company that specializes in basement waterproofing.
Angie
So beautiful! Did you use wood look tile for the flooring or LVP? Would love to hear about your flooring choice and how it’s held up the last few years. My hubby wants to use LVP. I want to use wood look tile so we don’t have any concerns about water/mold…
Liz
Thanks so much! We used wood look tile, and it’s held up perfectly. I personally would go with it over LVP if I had to again!
Blythe
We are in the process of waterproofing our basement so I have to ask how you went about putting the walls over the moisture barrier without puncturing the material? Did you build a frame in front of it?
Your basement turned out beautiful. I can’t want to see how we do with ours!
Liz
Thank you! I remember that anticipation, so exciting!
The framing to support the drywall was put in front of the moisture barrier and was attached to the floor and the ceiling.
Sarah tyloch
Obviously prices definitely vary but I’d love an estimate on how much this lovely of a remake cost! Would you be willing to share?
Liz
Sure! I’ll break it down so that it’s easier to get a grasp of it all.
Egress windows: $10,000
Waterproofing: $6,000
Ducted in Dehumidifier: $2,250
Plumbing: $3,700
Contractor and materials: $30,000
Appliances: $6,000
Electrical work, lighting, heat: $12,000
Sound System: $13,000
TV: $5,000
Tile: $2,700
Laundry room cabinets and counter: $10,000
Bathroom shower and vanity: $1600
Alice Carroll
Thanks for the tip about how it would also be a good idea to have a refrigerator in my basement. I’m interested in looking into that because I’m thinking about turning my basement into a lounge of sorts. I think that having a mini bar down there would also a great option.
Liz
Yes, that sounds perfect. And now I don’t know how I lived with only one refrigerator before, it is so handy!