Having a finished basement is like having bonus space in your house. Many people use the space as a rec room for kids to play, or as an extra space for guests to have some privacy. It’s time to stop thinking of a basement as a musty, cobwebbed cellar, and start thinking about it as a goldmine of potential for storage, entertainment, and ultimate comfort.
If your basement is in need of a face lift, here are some ideas that can turn your under-used space into a welcoming retreat:
Organized Storage
Throwing moving boxes and overloaded Rubbermaid containers in the basement is not the kind of storage we’re talking about. A comprehensive basement storage solution can transform the look, feel, and function of your home and can be fully customized to match the needs and lifestyle of your family. Custom storage is also visually appealing in any room and can drastically change the appearance of a rec room into a clean, welcoming space.
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Store holiday decorations and never again worry about finding where you left the Elf on the Shelf. Keep summer clothes safely stowed away from moths in the winter, and keep winter clothes organized in the summer so you won’t have to panic about finding matching gloves one the first snow hits. Skis? Photo albums? Guest towels? Family heirlooms? Board games? Canning collection? Organized storage is all about having a place for everything, and it’ll never be easier to have everything in its place. |
Sick of stepping on Lego pieces? Not to worry. Organization storage in the playroom can provide kids with optimal space for playing without being encumbered by toy boxes or mismatched bins. Kids can enjoy more independent play without having to ask you where to find the Play-Doh or construction paper, and you can take a deep breath knowing there’s not four hours of cleaning after every play date.
If your basement is used for work, organized storage can be a saving grace. If you run a business from home, you know how quickly your desk area can get overrun with invoices, printouts, receipts, files…and you can never find a pen. Organized storage can be planned around your exact needs for storing materials, inventory, or bookkeeping materials. It doesn’t matter if you run a consulting business, a daycare, or make your own soap in the basement, it’s a guarantee that organized storage can help.
There are a wide range of storage solutions available to you, depending on your needs, urgency, and budget. You can pick up some storage racks and pre-fab cabinets from IKEA or Canadian Tire – a handyman can help with assembly – or you can custom-order built-in shelving made to measure. Whether it’s a simple stainless steel rack for the furnace room or gorgeous cedar closet paneling to store Grandma’s vintage leathers, it’s your pick.
Man Cave or Theatre Room
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Whether you want a man cave or a mom cave, you’ve got to love the spirit of creativity and relaxation that these monikers inspire. After a long day at work and with the kids safely snug upstairs, it’s time to unwind and recharge in your subterranean oasis.
You can create a space perfect for boys’ night or a fun date night in with your loved one, but not if you’re staring at drywall and exposed pillars. Starting with an unfinished basement might seem like a chore, but it will actually make it easier to bring your vision to reality. |
| Installing pot lighting in the ceiling or wiring behind the walls for a surround sound speaker system is easy when starting with a blank canvas. If you plan to have a media room/theatre room, make sure soundproofing is up to par so you don’t wake the neighbours during the closing scenes of Die Hard.
Every basement worth its salt needs a bar, and if you’re keeping your thirst quenched you’ll want a convenient bathroom nearby. To save on costs, sketch out the basement plans so that any planned plumbing is near existing pipes (yes, this goes for a bar sink as well). |
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Then it’s all about the finishing touches: poker table, billiards, air hockey, and of course a big screen TV. Kick your feet up and turn on the game…or The Bachelor, this is your man/mom cave and you’re in control.
Home Gym
With New Year’s just around the corner, we’re all trying to live a little healthier and treat our bodies a little better. Be honest, in Ottawa it’s not always easy trudging through four feet of snow to get to the gym, especially not after your hour-long bumper-to-bumper commute home on the Queensway. Having a home gym can be a huge investment in your house and in your health.
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For both the experienced and the novice athlete, having a home gym can prove to be beneficial. With options to have a rubber floor installed to create a low impact workout environment, or even to install a sauna for deep healing after a workout, having a home gym is easier to achieve than you may initially think.
Don’t be intimidated. Your home gym could be a comfortable nook you carve out in the basement with your yoga mat, a shelf for incense, and room to stretch. Or it could be fully decked out CrossFit circuit with floor-to-ceiling mirrors and enough free weights to make The Rock blush. It’s your home gym and it’s your body, so make it work for you. |
Whatever you want to do to transform your basement into a usable and more desirable space for you and your family, To-Do Done can help you realize your dreams!