In modern homes, game room are starting to become an essential part of the house. The modern basement game room shown in the image above with mood lighting make this area look just like a high end nightclub. Gorgeous cone pendant lights over the pool table are ideal for a focused lighting which are perfect for the game. A stylish hideout for the man of the house and his friends.
Finishing a Basement
By definition, the Basement is the lowest habitable level of a building or a residential house which is usually below ground level. Thanks to interior designers, these basements are now being transformed and remodeled from a dark, damp and dreary place of the house into a functional living spaces which can be enjoyed by the whole family.
The size of the basement doesn’t matter – whether it is a full basement, half, walkout or cellar type. Basement remodeling could enhance the value of the home since it expands the square footage of the house, thus creating an additional, usable space and efficient storage when renovated. A finished basement can also be a good investment.
• Open Floor Plan – allows you to incorporate several smaller working areas and different zones for various activities in one well-designed space.
• Stairwell – it is best to open the stairwell and install a banister for a more open feel. Another idea is to incorporate storage space with the stairs.
• Flooring – it is very important to select suitable flooring which will be durable and appropriate for all types of weather and withstand fluctuations in moisture levels.
• Lighting – create well-lighted basement using track lighting, recessed lighting as well as incorporating other types of lighting fixtures for more dramatic effect.
Allowing natural light into the basement is a big challenge; and the best solution is installing window wells. Make sure you install window wells where you could make them as wide and deep as possible to bring much needed sunlight into the basement.
• Colors – when renovating or remodeling basements, note that colors do play an important role in each design concept you want to achieve. Choosing the right colors will make your basement stand out and create a cozy ambiance.
• Sound Proofing – noise from the basement can travel up to the main house, it is advisable to choose an engineered drywall to dampen the noise coming from the basement.
Find inspiration for your basement makeover with our featured design and decorating ideas. Below are concepts and popular choices for different functions and activities for a basement renovation.
Basement Remodeling Ideas
Home theater – For homeowners who love to entertain a basement can be transformed into a home theater or entertainment area. This can be a good reason to go downstairs and gather together with family and friends.
Extra storage – Every home needs extra storage space and the basement is usually the perfect area to accommodate additional storage.
Built-in shelving and cabinets which are incorporated with the stairs is a practical way of displaying personal items and providing extra storage space. This design idea can be an interesting feature for your basement.
Game room – The basement is an ideal place for a game room. Bring in your favorite video game console, large screen TV, foosball, poker table or pool table and let the fun begin.
Home bar or wine cellar – A home bar is often paired with a lounge area for relaxing with your favorite beverage. For wine lovers, the basement space can be the perfect place to create a wine cellar for storing wine bottles with style.
Playroom, home gym, or multi-use space – The basement can also be a great way to add a multi-activity space for the kids and incorporating a home gym or a home office; so that parents can be with their kids working out or while finishing paper works.
Man cave – Another popular option to make the most out of a basement is to design a space for the man of the house by creating his own “man cave” featuring a game room or home bar.
Hobby or craft room – The woman of the house can also have her place too for a hobby room – by transforming the basement into her own art studio. Whether it may be a sewing room, pottery room or painting room; the basement is a perfect place for her to hone her craft.
Spa or sauna room – Looking for an additional area to relax, unwind and be pampered? The basement could be a perfect place to design a home spa, sauna or your own salon.
Library space – Book worms can have a nice and quiet space tucked away in the basement. Transform your basement into a library and making use of the walls by installing open shelving for books and creating a cozy sitting area for reading.
Guest room – Need that extra privacy for guests? The basement is the ideal place to create a cozy and stylish bedroom for family or guests as well.
Windows – Adding egress windows to your basement can help you benefit from natural light, a more comfortable living environment and add resale value to your home.
Bathroom – A bathroom in the basement is convenient and is especially useful if your are converting the layout into a guest bedroom, in-law suite or rental.
Laundry room – Create a basement laundry room where you could enjoy doing the chore and at the same time can double as valuable storage space.
Basement spaces have abundant remodeling ideas and design possibilities that would cater any purposes and activities. Our photography gallery of cool basement design ideas will surely impress and excite you to create your own basement living space where everyone will love to hang out.
Raised panel base cabinets give lots of additional storage space. The stone fireplace keeps this basement warm and cozy; perfect for entertaining and a great focal point for the area.
The stone flooring and matching stone accents on walls and island bar are crafted to create the right balance for this design scheme.
Basement Color Ideas
Whether your basement is for a game room, man cave, yoga retreat, or movie room, this room has the potential to be the best room in the house. What color you chose depends on a few things, the most important being what is the tone that you want to set for the room?
Followed closely by how the room will be used and who will be using it most. The color is really going to set the stage for this space so you want to make sure you have the right color before you commit it to your walls.
Before you even consider color, you want to have lighting in the space figured out. Here’s some questions to consider, followed by some tips you can use to get the paint and home decor you want.
If you don’t have any natural light, how are you going to brighten up the space? Will you use pot lights or track lighting, will you supplement with floor and table lamps? Your paint will look worlds different if you change your lighting after you paint, so try to sort out your lighting needs first.
If you are going for a movie screening room, then go with a dark neutral, or simply go dark. You want the walls to recede and you don’t want a lot of glare from your projection equipment or tv.
Make sure to use a flat paint and paint the ceiling in a dark neutral to prevent light from bouncing around and creating glares. For a classic, old world move theater feeling, go with a rich burgundy or deep navy.
If you want a more contemporary feel, a gunmetal grey or lighter silvery grey would be perfect. Bold, dark colors aren’t the only choice though, if you aren’t a fan of saturated color, simply chose a dark neutral in tones of grey or brown.
For a playroom, keep it cheerful and bright. A lovely lemon-curd yellow is a great choice provided you have ample lighting.
Any yellow tone will look muddy in a dimply lit room, so keep that in mind when selecting paint colors. If you want to be really adventurous, purple is perfect for a basement playroom. Purple inspires creativity and energy and is great for the playroom that will double as a creative space.
If serenity is what you are after, think watery blues with undertones of green. Blue can read differently in different light levels, what looks relaxing on the sample strip can look downright neon covering an entire wall, choosing a blue with green undertones will help prevent that electric blue look.
These beautiful, watery colors will make your basement guest room feel light and airy. It will also provide a relaxing, outdoors vibe to a yoga or meditation retreat.
Finally, go bold. If you are going to be using your basement as a sports hangout on game day, why not paint at least one wall your favorite teams color? Yes, it is outrageous, but your basement is your playground, don’t be afraid to be bold and go a little crazy.
There are no hard and fast rules about wall color in a basement, but there are ways to make your color look it’s best in a space that often has no natural light.
Ensure that your lighting is in place and adequate before deciding on a color, determine what the space will be used for, and consider the tone that you want to set for the space. Your basement is one of the few truly personal spaces in a home, make it yours!
Dark brown wood ceiling beam with mood lighting, conceals plumbing and highlights the wood panel ceiling which adds texture and character to the space. This cozy and warm retreat is perfect for relaxation and suitable for any family gatherings.
Basement Game Room Ideas
Modern drop lights combined with recessed lighting provides ample illumination to the whole area.
The open space in the middle is perfect for the widescreen TV; while the cabinets below provides that extra needed storage.
Who said that red carpet is just for runways, this red pool table and seating lounge is a unique choice of color which is matched by the red-carpet flooring. Neutral light tone textured gray walls balances the splash of colors.
Create a space for children’s games and toys by having a foos ball table and some miniature rocking chairs. Light tone laminated wood flooring is a good choice for this basement play area.
Neutral and earth tone colors combined with comfortable sofa, cozy furnishings make this family basement a warm and inviting space. A small kitchen and wet bar makes entertaining convenient and much fun.
This multi- purpose room and entertainment area, features a pool table, game table and home bar transforming a boring basement into the family room where everyone can relax, unwind and enjoy.
Many finished basement ideas incorporate a home bar, game area and dining table to provide plenty of opportunities for entertainment and fun.
Custom furniture, mini bar and other classic arcade game creates a perfect place for kids and kids at heart to unwind and have a good time.
Cool neutral colors with splashes of vibrant warm colors gives this room a groovy, fun, warm and welcoming ambiance. Perfect hangout spot for teens and adults alike.
Decorative stones which are used for accent walls, arch ways and fireplace adds warmth and coziness to the room. Homeowners could entertain many friends in a fun place like this one.
The shag carpet helps reduce the noise and sound from this small basement hideaway. The neutral color scheme for the ceiling, walls, floors and furniture adds warmth and coziness to the room.
Texture painted ceiling in two tone colors and neutral color painted walls are balanced by the medium tone wood stain finish of the cabinetry, doors and bar stools. Wall to wall carpet adds a warmth and welcoming feel to the room.
The display shelves of sports memorabilia draw attention to a collection of all those valuable and unique sports souvenirs. This basement combined with a home workout gym is designed to keep you fit while having fun.
Modern Basement Ideas
A small pantry area provides convenience for food preparation and storage. Classic neutral colors add a sense of well-being, ease and coziness to the room.
Pictures of Finished Basements
These Instagram worthy designs share a variety of different ways to plan your basement projects. Before getting started, make a list of the elements you want in your space which will help you narrow down and determine the most important details for your basement.
Open shelves and cabinetry with granite countertop provides more storage and preparation area. Adjacent sitting lounge is a great place to relax and catch up with the latest happenings with family and friends. Check out this page for more man cave ideas for the home.
Dark tone cabinetry in Shaker style is balanced with the matchstick glass backsplash and light neutral shade of walls, stone tile flooring and carpet.
Traditional custom made cabinetry with natural wood finish is the best choice for this wine cellar; it is designed to prevent airborne contaminants to spoil those vintage wines. The coffered ceiling with recessed lights, crystal chandelier and patterned flooring complete the traditional rustic style.
This wine cellar is built perfectly and efficiently not having direct sunlight. Its glass swing-out doors help maintain the correct temperature needed for wines to age and reach perfection.
Choose wood which are good in quality having resistance to rot and decay, durable and requires only a mineral oil finish; such as redwood, mahogany, walnut or cypress.
Stone floors are the excellent flooring system you can install for your basement wine cellars because they are strong and durable. Granite countertop is a good combination as well.
For small finished bedroom ideas a built in bench that can be converted in to a bed with under cabinet storage is a great space saver and can increase the home’s value.
Exposed beams are furnished with industrial lights which provide ample lights to the room. Comfy, soft upholstered sofas and accent chair in neutral colors adds coziness, perfect place to sit back and relax.
Splash of patterns and colors from the area rug, accent chair and throw pillows gives a warm and welcoming ambiance.
For large basements with extra rooms consider converting the space into a workshop or craft room. Bring in a workbench and hang storage racks to keep things organized, rather than making it a catch-all storage space for everything.
The kitchenette is without an island. But has a corner home bar to give way to the large black leather sectional sofa which is perfect for movie night fun.
Complete with drum set, keyboard and a collection of different types of guitars, are instruments which make it possible for beautiful songs to be composed and played to the musician’s heart content.
A fully equiped workout area features a weight bench, treadmill, exercise bikes and other fitness accessories makes it very convenient way to lose those unwanted weights in the comfort of your home.
So, these equipment takes up less space in this multi-use basement home gym, which doubles as a yoga studio. Exposed beams with track light gives this room an industrial inspired theme.
This sophisticated steam room sauna and walk-in shower which feature custom wood treatment, marble and tile walls will automatically increase the value of your home and property.
Th medium tone wood plank flooring, and wooden transition strip is incorporated onto the flush-mounted lane surface. While different colored neon lights are installed on the walls adding a more modern accent , a mini bar and state of the arts swivel chairs.
Other standouts include an accent wall with wall paper depicting a night sky full of stars, wall to wall carpet, cozy couch and geometric patterns for the throw pillow.
This basement playroom with a specialized native American Indian theme is what this black and white lovely kid’s playroom is all about.
For a toy room basement make sure you have plenty of storage for kids items and a bookshelf or bookcase for all their favorite books.
This trendy indoor sport is a good idea for a basement transformation for homeowners to entertain guests. Indeed, this basement room with virtual golf practice driving range can be a man cave for golfers.
To ensure your space is well equipped make sure you have adequate ventilation, especially if you plan on working with noxious fumes or chemical.
Add plenty of electrical outlets so you can power all of your tools and appliances.In addition, install plenty of lighting fixtures including task lighting that you can direct exactly where you need it.
Components and other things are tucked away in the custom-built cabinets below. Neutral, monotone colors and layout scheme makes the basement hangout open and bright.
Light tone cabinetry provides more additional storage space. Granite countertop blends well with the whole color scheme. Neutral colored patterned ceramic tile flooring works well with the whole design scheme.
The fireplace serves as a focal piece and makes this room warm and cozy together with the cool neutral shades of brown and tan.
Stone flooring, wood wainscot panel and custom-built railings, cabinetry and bar counter in medium tone wood finish, carpet covered stairs and flooring provides a warm and welcoming feel.
Steps for Finishing a Basement
Finishing a basement can be a great way to add usable space to a home. Here are some general steps and tips for finishing a basement:
Determine the Main Use of the Basement Area. Basements have a lot of potential uses, from a guest room to a gaming room.
Basement Functional Room Ideas
- Guest Room
- Home Theater
- Basement Bar
- Home Gym
- Children’s Playroom
- Laundry Room
- Craft’s Room
Code Requirements. Check for local codes, as most states require the submission of a plan for all finished basements for the bedroom project.
Search Google for ‘city’ or ‘your state’ building codes to learn more about requirements where you live.
You can use a resource like the National Center for Healthy Housing to start your search for building codes in your area. (https://nchh.org/tools-and-data/policy/code-enforcement-and-regulation/find-state-and-local-codes/)
The general code requirements usually will include an emergency exit, especially for habitable rooms, a minimum percentage of glass area, openings for habitable rooms, insulation, stairwell clearance, and electrical requirements.
Accessibility to Utilities. Serviceable connections such as shut-off valves, junction boxes, or clean outs are usually found in the basement area, and if these are present, they will affect the layout of the habitable space.
Seek a finishing contractor on how to conceal these, but at the same time should still be accessible when there’s a need for repair or replacement of these serviceable utilities.
Internet and Wifi Connectivity. In relation to utilities, remember to evaluate if the signal of internet connectivity is weak. A signal booster can increase the signal.
Waterproofing and Moisture Control. As basements usually receive less natural light coupled with being below grade and a typical location for serviceable connections, damp and water seepage is not uncommon.
Waterproofing and moisture control can be challenging and should be addressed early during the planning process. Even basements deemed to have a dry condition should still have a moisture barrier installed.
Steps to Create a Livable Basement
Extra specifications and plans on acoustics are needed for entertainment, a music room, or a home theater.
Install Waterproofing. Major waterproofing systems include sealants and epoxy injections, which is an economical way to address waterproofing for masonry basements.
The French drain or the interior drain is when a drain system and sump pump are installed to drain water out once flooding occurs. Exterior waterproofing can be employed as an additional layer of waterproofing. This exterior application usually has polymer and membranes.
Frame walls. Once the moisture issues have been addressed, you can start framing the walls. Use treated lumber for the bottom plate to prevent moisture damage, and make sure the framing is plumb and square.
Using pressure-treated lumber, frame the walls of the basement, leaving a gap between the framing and the concrete walls to prevent moisture buildup. Install a bottom plate along the perimeter of the room, then frame out the interior walls using studs spaced 16 inches in the center.
Install insulation. Insulation walls and other treatments keep away unwanted noise from the outdoors and, at the same time, improve the sound quality of the room for entertainment. Remember to choose insulation that is appropriate for your climate and local building codes.
Install fiberglass batt insulation in between the studs, making sure to cut it to fit snugly and fill any gaps.
Install electrical and plumbing. Install any electrical wiring and plumbing necessary for the usage of the room project. This may involve hiring a licensed electrician and plumber for safety issues.
Install Drywall. Install drywall on the walls and ceiling. Be sure to tape and mud the seams and sand the surface smoothly to seal off drafts.
It’s important to note that basement walls can be prone to moisture problems, so it’s important to use materials that are specifically designed for use in damp environments, such as mold-resistant drywall and insulation. Additionally, to ensure the basement is properly ventilated and any moisture issues are addressed before beginning the drywall installation.
Install Flooring and Trim Work. Install rubber tile or rubber sheets, which is great for basements that will function as a play or workout area.
Paint and Finish. Once the drywall is installed, apply primer paint on the walls and ceiling. Then, after the primer paint has dried from the surface, it is now time to use the first coat of paint.
Furnish and decorate. Then finally, it’s time to dress the space. Layered fabrics can soften and warm up the space. Window curtains can add privacy and contribute to the style. One can decorate the space to any preference.
Did we cover everything in this list of basement designs? Please share your favorite products for the basement or elements that you feel the space needs in the comments below. See more basement flooring ideas on this gallery page.