Tuesday, March 5th, 2019
Did you know that there are also trends for basement design? There are different paths to follow if you want to use these trends to totally reinvent the look of that room below the ground.
Open Space Layout
You might have already heard of open space layouts for kitchens. These grow in popularity each year as walls are toppled down to reveal better designs. Imagine your basement being altered to an entertainment area fused with the kids’ playroom.
It’s the perfect setup. The mom and dad can enjoy a movie or two while the kids play just a few feet away.
Now this setup isn’t for everyone, though. While open space floor plans are a hit in many interior design and house flipping shows, it’s definitely not the layout for every single family there is.
Guest Room
Another way to utilize the space underneath your home is to turn it into a guest room. People are even renting out this space for other people if they decide not to turn it into a room for their visitors.
The basement is a private zone and all you need to do to complete the remodel is to add all the amenities that guests would need.
So what are these amenities?
First, there has to be a TV set that would keep your guest entertained; a notepad, telephone, and an alarm clock by the bedside; there must also be a wardrobe or at least a drawer.
Be sure to check the temperature down there. If it’s too cold, then have a heating system installed. Make sure that there’s a WiFi password written somewhere.
Check the bedding to make sure that your guest will feel comfortable. Having a pair of slippers for the guest would give your guest room a hotel vibe.
A Home Theatre
What could be a better use for your basement than this?
The natural acoustics down there are perfect for a home theatre. All you will need to add are comfy couches (preferably sets of recliners), a large flatscreen TV, DVD player, a stellar sound system, carpeting, and shelves (for the DVDs and other collectibles that you want to display in the room).
Home theatre customization can be as high as $3,000 or more so prepare for this remodeling project.
Upgraded Storage Area
You may have already used this room as a storage area but who’s to say that you can’t improve it some more?
If the basement storage has become a complete mess, then it’s time to upgrade it with these additions –
If you’re still having a hard time organizing the rest of your stuff, then you can always hire a professional organizer. Average cost for hiring such an expert is anywhere from $30 an hour up to $425.
A Stylish Bar
The basement bar is now a popular trend, too. You can have this as a standalone room or it can be fused with the home theatre or entertainment area.
Here’s a rule for home bars – be sure to store liquors that you and your friends actually like. Wine and hard drinks aren’t just there as decorative items. They should be enjoyed, too.
You can begin small with just vodka, gin, scotch, bourbon whiskey, rum and tequila. After keeping stock of all the right spirits, you can then shop for the bar cart (or cabinet), glasses, and other bar accessories.
Tags: basement makeover, basement remodel, basement remodeling, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in 2019 Trends, Basement Design, Bedroom Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Remodeling, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on Exciting Things to Happen to Your Basement This 2019
Thursday, February 21st, 2019
Have you been wracking your brain on where to situate your dream guest room? If there is not enough room in your current living space, then it’s a great idea to consider using some of the areas that have served as your storage rooms for the longest time.
The basement, when used solely as a storage room, is hugely underutilized. In fact, this subterranean room is a wonderful area to put your guest room, nay, a guest suite.
Consider Safety
When you have finally decided to remodel the basement into a guest suite, then your first duty is to ensure the safety of the guests that would stay there. First on the list is to have the room on par with the local building codes.
There must be a fire escape or even an egress window in the suite that will be built in the basement. The window or fire escape will provide an accessible escape route for your guests should there be an emergency such as a fire.
Make It Cozy
It is best to think first of the amenities that you are now enjoying in your own bedroom. You would want every guest to feel at home by having all of the items that they need right inside the guest suite.
The nightstand must have all the necessities that should be placed there such as an alarm clock that comes complete with an alarm and a USB cell phone charger. This will save your guest time from scrambling for an outlet.
There must also be a bedside lamp, an FM radio, and some books. If you know who the guest will be before his or her arrival, then you can prepare the book genre that will be displayed on the bedside table.
Set Up a Storage Unit
The guest or guests will surely bring clothing and a number of suitcases. Bring in a closet if the space allows it. Be sure to have empty hangers as well as a rack for the luggage. Have these prepared and your guest will surely feel like he or she is staying in a hotel.
If you want to splurge and go all out on the bedding, then that’s a wonderful idea. This is definitely one of those things that will increase the sophisticated ambiance of your new guest suite.
Now, since this room used to be a basement, you have to remember that there is a flight of stairs going to and from that area. You might want to provide some snacks and bottled water for your guests so that they won’t have to leave their room in the middle of the night.
Put that wastebasket, too, to complete the comfy guest suite.
Decorate
This is going to be the bedroom of a guest for a night or more so you have to keep the decoration neutral. White linen is best because you can just bleach them with each wash.
Go for neutral bedding then bring in pops of color through fresh flowers or houseplants. The greenery will even improve the mood of your guest as well as the air quality in that room.
Be sure to decorate with plants that do no need a lot of sunlight such as the snake plant.
Put in Toiletries
Your hospitality must not stop in the area where the guests would sleep. Be sure to prepare the guest bathroom, too. Get some inspiration from the bathroom in your own home or, yet again, use a neutral theme.
Provide amenities like a body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and a body lotion. You should also treat the guests with some soft, luxurious towels.
Dressing up the new guest suite should not be difficult. Just focus on the guests’ comfort and make them feel at home and you would certainly be rated as the world’s best host.
Tags: basement remodel, guest suite, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Basement Design, Guest Room Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on From Basement to Suite in 5 Steps
Friday, November 30th, 2018
What was your priority when you first moved to your home? While many homeowners may not think of the home theater as their priority, most actually rethink about their space planning once they realize how awesome it would have been if they had an entertainment hub.
So, if you’ve been imagining of a 5.1 or a 7.1 channel surround system and rows upon rows of movie collections, have you actually considered where you would put these?
Lucky for most homes, there is a basement. You can make the home theater as a complete basement remodel.
The basement has natural advantages for a theater room. First, more often than not, the floor is made of concrete. This means that you won’t have to worry about vibrations as you would when you have a wooden floor. While some would profess to the wooden floor vibration as something that adds to the life of the music, still, concrete floors take the vibrations to zero and that’s often advantageous.
The basement foundation is also often made of poured concrete or if you’re even lucky enough, cinder blocks. These, again, help in muffling the sounds, thus, you won’t have to worry about explaining to your neighbors all those late-night karaokes.
The basement also has zero windows (at least this is often the case). This is also amazing for controlling the light. This would mean that you can easily darken the room when you want to experience a movie theater feel.
Now that you know why the basement is the primary choice for home theaters, it’s time to act –
Define the Sound System
As much as you can, put your speakers into the recesses of walls or the ceiling. Installing the speakers into the drywall is often not a great idea. Doing this will help eliminate visible wires. This will also help create a surround sound feel.
If this isn’t possible, then at least have the speakers line the room in a stylish manner so that they do not appear too technical, rather, amazing decorative equipment.
Set Up a Media Storage
Are you a gamer or more of a movie buff? No matter, have a closet or some shelves set up to hold all of your media equipment. Make sure that the TV becomes the star of the show. This is that one piece of appliance that must not compete with all the other elements.
Ensure the long life of your electronics by using louvers, doors or screens to keep your electronics cool.
Bring in the Seats
What’s a home theater without ample seats? Find the most amazing seating units to make a stylish media room. Again, don’t forget your TV because this is going to be the focal point.
Have the sectional situated at a good angle. Find electronic recliners that will amp the level of viewing excitement in your home theater. Install some floor receptacles so that you will have wire-free walls. Even just a small slit on your carpet can allow you to run the cord up to the chairs.
Do the Acoustic Math
Remember that there are soft and hard surfaces in the home theater and these can affect sound quality. Improve the acoustics by installing thick carpeting (if you can do wall-to-wall, then do so). If you’re not a huge fan of carpets, then at least have an area rug that can aid with the acoustics.
Control the echoes in the room by using Roman fabric shades.
Have Total Control
The most awesome theater experience is achieved through the universal remote control. With just a touch of a finger, you can already control the lights, AV equipment, and even lower your window shades.
Tags: basement entertainment zone, entertainment room, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, media room, theater room
Posted in Basement Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on The Basement Theatre – How to Make This the Social Hub in Your Home
Wednesday, August 8th, 2018
The chief reason why there are basements in many homes is just for that extra storage space. But there is so much more about this space than just a mere storage area. You can go through the troubles of remodeling and cleanups but these tasks are all going to be worth it. So, how would you make your basement become livable and also more functional?
Setting up a functional basement could mean differently to every family. But there are projects that stand out above the rest because they do not just enhance the look of the property but also increase its value. Pick a few ideas below –
Pastel Paint ‘Em
This lower level part of your home is also often the darkest spot. For obvious reasons, you need to pick a light-colored paint to brighten up or illuminate this room. Light paint will make the room more entertaining and relaxing while darker hues may be used when you would want to use the room as, say, a theater.
Light ‘Em
Strategic lighting can make a lot of difference in the basement. A lot of homeowners make the mistake that since it’s dark in that room, it is no longer important to worry about lighting. You should think the opposite.
Lighting can set the mood in this place especially when you’re planning on converting it to a spare bedroom or a man cave.
A Window or Two
Another way to remodel the basement is to let in more light. You can achieve this not just by installing additional lighting fixtures but also by constructing a new window or two. Regulations state that should you convert the basement to a spare bedroom, that it should already have an egress window.
When custom excavation is needed, the cost for window installation could get a tad higher. Homeowners reported the egress window costs at an average of $2,218. The lowest cost is listed at just $400 and the highest being $4,900.
Function First
Never assume that the basement is created for mere lounging or storing stuff. Talk with your family and brainstorm on how much more function you can get out of this room. You can make it livable by converting it to a play area for the kids or as a crafts room for mom. You can also set up a bar that filled with your favorite spirits.
The Bar or Wine Cellar
Your basement does not necessarily have to become a spare bedroom by default. It can also become a social hub when you transform it into a wine cellar or a bar. Just imagine a fully-stocked bar right in that area. It is a wonderful place to store bottles of your favorite wine and other hard drinks to entertain your family, relatives, and friends.
This is a setup that’s a surefire hit especially when you’re a frequent party host. In setting up your bar downstairs, you also get to free up some of the kitchen space. Just add a sink, some more cabinets, and a TV set and you’ve got the best social nook.
The Multiple Rooms
You can also section off the different spaces when you have a big basement to work on. Use cabinets and drawers as simple dividers or even entertainment centers as a means to separate the different livable areas.
If you want a simple cordoning off of the sections, you can also use a panel divider.
Add a Luxurious Spa Bathroom
A new bathroom would also be a nice addition to any home. Bring in the needed equipment and furnishings to make this space a luxurious and restful spot. Invest in a shower room, vanity, and toilet. These three simple things can make a lot of difference.
Tags: basement remodel, basement remodeling, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Basement Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Making the Better Basement
Friday, November 3rd, 2017
It is always nice to have an extra room or two when you are holding family gatherings or entertaining friends or guests. Yet when the opposite happens and there isn’t ample space to welcome everyone, the feeling can be a tad sad.
Looking for space that can be used as an addition to the rooms of your home is a significant project that you need to carefully think through. If you’re blessed to have a basement that is currently being used just as a storage area, then you’ve got the perfect prospect for a renovation project.
But what are the first things that you need to consider when you want to remodel the basement? Number one would always be safety. Moisture is a pressing issue on many basement remodels. If you’re lucky to have a drainage built as well as a working ventilation, then you won’t have much cause for concern.
Older homes, though, paint a totally different picture. Since these older basements were not meant to be remodeled when they were first constructed, it is a reality that they don’t have ventilation vents or proper drainage systems.
A contractor should be able to help you with your decision to create extra space. The basement is the perfect setting for casual family activities. You can add comfy furniture, a pool table, and a TV and you already have a working family room.
That area right under your stairs can serve as the home for your board games and DVDs. Even doors that have a divided-light window will add to the beauty and style of the repurposed room.
Incorporate a sound system as well as good lighting to turn the space into a perfect place for family meet-ups.
If you need space as a hangout room for your kids, man or woman caves, or even a library, then repurposing the basement is the way to go. Just consider what furniture goes where and why you should even invest in such furniture (e.g. every man cave must have a comfy yet durable bed while every kids’ hangout room should have shelves for their books and toys).
Basement Remodeling: The 6 Steps
First, be sure to clean the basement. Move all boxes someplace else, a storage unit perhaps. Clean the floor by using a heavy-duty floor cleaning material.
Next, be sure to frame or layout the space. Cut openings for phone and electrical wirings. Consider insulation so you will soundproof the area; this is the third step. This is especially useful when you’re planning on building a rec or family room.
The fourth thing that you need to do is to install proper lighting. Since basements are naturally dark (most do have small to zero windows), you will need to find ways to provide ample lighting. Install recessed lighting, traditional or track lighting for the ceilings.
Step number five is to paint the walls. Of course, you would need to have a paint primer as well as dual coats of your chosen wall paint. If you still haven’t chosen a color palette for the repurposed basement, then you might want to get cues from the upstairs rooms. Spreading the color scheme even down to this new room will effectively coordinate the rest of your space.
Lastly, install durable flooring. Most basement floors are made of concrete. It would be great to consider another layer of flooring using a different material. There are many possible materials to use. Tiles are high up on the list of many remodeling homeowners. Wood flooring systems are also quite popular. These may be pricier but they do offer a look that’s difficult to match.
Tags: basement remodel, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings, remodeling the basement, repurposing basement, repurposing the basement
Posted in Basement Design, Interior Design 101, Interior Design Elements | Comments Off on Repurposing the Basement: The Timely Fresh Start
Wednesday, December 28th, 2016
Do you believe that your basement isn’t supposed to remain as a mere extra space in your home? Or that it should be more than just a stockroom?
If you are willing to go through the trouble of remodeling this part of your home and cleaning it up to reach a whole new level, then you’re making a good decision. After all, it would make sense to remodel if you up the livability and functionality of your basement.
Creating a better basement is a different decision for every homeowner. Some remodel to enhance the appearance of this room; some to increase its value. Here are a few ideas that could work for you so take your pick –
Neutralize It
The lower-level or basement is the darkest place in any home. It could be this or it is next in darkness to an attic. The evident reason why you should pick pastel or neutral colors for your basement wall paint is to brighten up or illuminate this room.
Use lighter paint even if you’re a huge fan of darker hues. Even when you’re planning to set up a home cinema, it pays to have the room painted in a lighter hue as there will be moments when you would want that space to be bright and airy. This is so you can entertain or read during the daytime.
If you still prefer to have darker pieces, then invest in dark cabinets, carpets or countertops.
The Function-Centered Basement
Don’t think that basements are just for lounging around, though. You might want to take a step back and brainstorm with some of your family members regarding what to best do with this extra room.
If you want the basement renovation to become more functional and livable, then you could use this space as the kids’ play area or a home bar.
The Bar or Wine Cellar
Basements need not be all business or function. This is also a great room to add a more organized storage space but not for the usual unused or seasonal items. This time, think of creating a fully-stocked wine cellar or a home bar. Add stools and some wine racks or cabinets and what you have is a place where the entire family or guests can unwind. This is surely a new room that you won’t regret when you’re already hosting parties.
If a home bar or wine cellar isn’t your thing, then just turn this space into an interesting kitchen space. Just add a fridge, sink, TV and a few cabinets to have the perfect cooking and entertaining nook.
How About a Bathroom?
A lot of people do not automatically think of bathrooms when it comes to renovating basements. Yet this is a huge mistake especially since this is the perfect spot to set up a beautiful, spa-like bathroom.
Have a shower cubicle, toilet and small vanity to have this place turned into a restful getaway.
Organized Storeroom
The basement is always the right space for you to store almost anything. If you’re really in need of storage then you might as well create a storeroom. First, be sure to remove all junk from your basement then place boxes onto durable shelves.
Don’t limit yourself when it comes to shelving units. Have a more organized storeroom as you put in more shelves and set up your new cabinets.
Store your stuff inside plastic bags or have them placed in plastic bins if you have a basement that’s prone to dampness.
Remember that your basement has almost limitless potential but you have to be more open to trying out new styles and functions. Upgrades become more successful if you’re motivated in inspiring your basement and remember to enjoy the renovation project as you go along.
Tags: basement design, basement makeover, basement remodel, basement remodeling, McCreerys, McCreerys Home Furnishings
Posted in Basement Design, Special Rooms In Your Home | Comments Off on Making A Better Basement
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