AKB: I need finished basement ideas: pics of my space included

[Lion Son/Husband/Father]

So we’ve been here in Hopat 4 years and moms wandered down into the basement first time long time to retrieve Christmas balls and freaked out on me. She gave me a $5000 budget and a June deadline to finish the space. I’ll do all the work except $300 worth of plumbing repairs (no powder room) drywall taping (I really suck at finish work) and carpeting. If we do fake hardwood I’ll do that myself. The ceiling is 8’2”.
So, a couple must haves:
-a space for 2 queen beds, either out in the open or walled off
-projector TV space
-bar
So share your fav must haves and pics.
Cheers. TRM
down the steps to left, existing storage to remain, add barn door, lighting and back wall

down the steps to the right
11’x20’

back wall long room
15’x32’

window nook
8’x11’

 

[Lion84]

Well you have egress per your last picture so that just saved you a lot of money not having to cut the foundation for a larger window or dig down for a walk out or bilco doors.

 

[LongJakk]

Enclose the bar in glass walls and door. Put tin panels on ceiling. Use silicon sealant. Add a bathroom exhaust fan and BOOM! Cigar lounge that doesn't stink up the house and is easy to clean..

 

[Lion Son/Husband/Father]

Enclose the bar in glass walls and door. Put tin panels on ceiling. Use silicon sealant. Add a bathroom exhaust fan and BOOM! Cigar lounge that doesn't stink up the house and is easy to clean..

@PSUHarry33

 

[slykens]

Lots of suggestions but to me, most importantly, is use a drop ceiling so your mechanicals, electrical, etc still remains accessible to you or the next owner.

 

[Lion Son/Husband/Father]

Is drop ceiling DIY? Never have before.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

So we’ve been here in Hopat 4 years and moms wandered down into the basement first time long time to retrieve Christmas balls and freaked out on me. She gave me a $5000 budget and a June deadline to finish the space. I’ll do all the work except $300 worth of plumbing repairs (no powder room) drywall taping (I really suck at finish work) and carpeting. If we do fake hardwood I’ll do that myself. The ceiling is 8’2”.
So, a couple must haves:
-a space for 2 queen beds, either out in the open or walled off
-projector TV space
-bar
So share your fav must haves and pics.
Cheers. TRM
down the steps to left, existing storage to remain, add barn door, lighting and back wall

down the steps to the right
11’x20’

back wall long room
15’x32’

window nook
8’x11’

Window nook perfect for a Bavarian style breakfast/beer drinking nook...

 

[Lion Son/Husband/Father]

I dig it! Cards! Backgammon!

 

[slykens]

Is drop ceiling DIY? Never have before.

Can be - might want to rent the fancy laser level to make it easier.

 

[Pushingtherightbuttons]

Well you have egress per your last picture so that just saved you a lot of money not having to cut the foundation for a larger window or dig down for a walk out or bilco doors.

I highly recommend luxury vinyl plank flooring for the basement. It is waterproof both from the top and the underside and has a fantastic feel. We used SmartCore from Lowe’s as opposed to much more expensive brands and it looks and performs great. Easy to install as well So no need to hire a flooring contractor.

 

[Woodpecker]

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I dig it! Cards! Backgammon!

Pic of my favorite restaurant nook - the Schnitzelbank in Heidelberg, Germany. Best schnitzel and bratkartoffel (fried potatoes) I've ever had.

Bonus if your wife can make this:

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

Just IMO, but drop ceilings look like shit.

 

[Lion Son/Husband/Father]

Also a budget killer.

 

[Obliviax]

if you can, make that outside window a slider. If you can do that, you can claim the basement as 'living space'. when you sell, you just added several hundred to over a thousand square feet. So if you get $200 per square foot and you crate 800 square feet, you just make yourself $160,000. Best yet, if you do the work yourself, it won't be assessed in your property taxes.

Agree with others:

• drop ceiling so you can get to electrical/plumbing in the ceiling
• dry wall the walls
• forced air to circulate heat/cool/humidity
• Rooms and doors to suit
• higher-end vinyl flooring with throw rugs

Also, I built a new home and sold it. I didn't wire for cable TV or phone service. I did put power outlets up on the walls where a TV might be hung and I laid conduit to a central location in case, for some reason, I want to run wire there.

You've also got to consider how you put a toilet someplace as you don't want to have to go upstairs everytime you take a leak. And if you area going to do that, you need to put in a shower and, at least, a mini-kitchen area (even if you don't outfit it as a kitchen for now, due to budget, make sure it is ready to go if you want to put in a bar, microwave, wine cooler, etc.). And don't forget a place to throw the trash and a broom (although you'll want to invest in a roomba)

 

[Woodpecker]

Pic of my favorite restaurant nook - the Schnitzelbank in Heidelberg, Germany. Best schnitzel and bratkartoffel (fried potatoes) I've ever had.

Bonus if your wife can make this:

 

[Lion Son/Husband/Father]

if you can, make that outside window a slider. If you can do that, you can claim the basement as 'living space'. when you sell, you just added several hundred to over a thousand square feet. So if you get $200 per square foot and you crate 800 square feet, you just make yourself $160,000. Best yet, if you do the work yourself, it won't be assessed in your property taxes.

Agree with others:

• drop ceiling so you can get to electrical/plumbing in the ceiling
• dry wall the walls
• forced air to circulate heat/cool/humidity
• Rooms and doors to suit
• higher-end vinyl flooring with throw rugs

Also, I built a new home and sold it. I didn't wire for cable TV or phone service. I did put power outlets up on the walls where a TV might be hung and I laid conduit to a central location in case, for some reason, I want to run wire there.

You've also got to consider how you put a toilet someplace as you don't want to have to go upstairs everytime you take a leak. And if you area going to do that, you need to put in a shower and, at least, a mini-kitchen area (even if you don't outfit it as a kitchen for now, due to budget, make sure it is ready to go if you want to put in a bar, microwave, wine cooler, etc.). And don't forget a place to throw the trash and a broom (although you'll want to invest in a roomba)

I appreciate you but my hood would never magically add $160k to our humble abode lol

 

[Obliviax]

Just IMO, but drop ceilings look like shit.

Agreed but, in a basement, one does have to consider access to plumbing/electrical for the rooms above. There are some nice alternatives but they are still, really, drop ceilings.

 

[PineIslandLion]

Lots of suggestions but to me, most importantly, is use a drop ceiling so your mechanicals, electrical, etc still remains accessible to you or the next owner.

Drop ceilings much less visually appealing than drywall. Cheapens up the look, considerably.

 

[ClarkstonMark]

You've also got to consider how you put a toilet someplace as you don't want to have to go upstairs everytime you take a leak. And if you area going to do that, you need to put in a shower and, at least, a mini-kitchen area (even if you don't outfit it as a kitchen for now, due to budget, make sure it is ready to go if you want to put in a bar, microwave, wine cooler, etc.). And don't forget a place to throw the trash and a broom (although you'll want to invest in a roomba)

you just created the apt that will be rent-free until one of his sons is 40

 

[Obliviax]

I appreciate you but my hood would never magically add $160k to our humble abode lol

just an example....look at what per square foot value is and do the math. By adding a slider access, aside from the convenience, it will increase value.

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

Agreed but, in a basement, one does have to consider access to plumbing/electrical for the rooms above. There are some nice alternatives but they are still, really, drop ceilings.

Absolutely--it is definitely easier and quicker to do a drop ceiling. But plumbing/electrical access for the rooms above can be solved with a little advance planning and creative access panel placement.

 

[Lion Son/Husband/Father]

you just created the apt that will be rent-free until one of his sons is 40

Lmao.

 

[Lion Son/Husband/Father]

Absolutely--it is definitely easier and quicker to do a drop ceiling. But plumbing/electrical access for the rooms above can be solved with a little advance planning and creative access panel placement.

and I’m an electrician, I got this

 

[slykens]

if you can, make that outside window a slider. If you can do that, you can claim the basement as 'living space'. when you sell, you just added several hundred to over a thousand square feet. So if you get $200 per square foot and you crate 800 square feet, you just make yourself $160,000. Best yet, if you do the work yourself, it won't be assessed in your property taxes.

Agree with others:

• drop ceiling so you can get to electrical/plumbing in the ceiling
• dry wall the walls
• forced air to circulate heat/cool/humidity
• Rooms and doors to suit
• higher-end vinyl flooring with throw rugs

Also, I built a new home and sold it. I didn't wire for cable TV or phone service. I did put power outlets up on the walls where a TV might be hung and I laid conduit to a central location in case, for some reason, I want to run wire there.

You've also got to consider how you put a toilet someplace as you don't want to have to go upstairs everytime you take a leak. And if you area going to do that, you need to put in a shower and, at least, a mini-kitchen area (even if you don't outfit it as a kitchen for now, due to budget, make sure it is ready to go if you want to put in a bar, microwave, wine cooler, etc.). And don't forget a place to throw the trash and a broom (although you'll want to invest in a roomba)

I’d guess a toilet would require a pump and depending on preference might require cutting a pit in the floor (they do make ones that are on a platform with the pump built in so that’s an option). Place I’m in now has two pumps - one in the full bath and one in the wet bar as the sewer line leaves the basement about 4’ above the floor.

The SmartCore recommendation is a good one - insulating the floor will definitely make it feel warmer. You can also do it with foam board and a plywood subfloor at what might be a lower cost but more work.

 

[Obliviax]

Absolutely--it is definitely easier and quicker to do a drop ceiling. But plumbing/electrical access for the rooms above can be solved with a little advance planning and creative access panel placement.

maybe...but by the time you put in those panels (or pay to decrease access requirements) the owner may have defeated the purpose. A lot depends on what is already there. today, there are drop ceilings that look nice...like this board and batten looking option:

 

[jmorovich]

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

and I’m an electrician, I got this

I do completely agree with Obli about plumbing/bathroom/kitchen setup in the basement. I have a full bath in mine and it is a game changer, pun intended. My plans are to eventually put a full wet bar down there, and the plumbing/electrical is setup such that it won't be a problem at all. But, it'll be a while until I invest in a basement because there are other projects that need to get done first (at least, according to the wife).

 

[ThePennsyOracle]

maybe...but by the time you put in those panels (or pay to decrease access requirements) the owner may have defeated the purpose. A lot depends on what is already there. today, there are drop ceilings that look nice...like this board and batten looking option:

Yep--those look really nice. It just isn't my cup of tea--my "design preferences" are just different, but that is worlds better than the average shitty fiberglass panel.

 

[mfb5053]

I’m going through this process right now. I had to demo work done by the previous owner. It looks like the basement was finished in the 80s. Lots of wood paneling with a dank smell. Tore down the paneling, and not a stitch of insulation behind the wood paneling. I’ve been using https://www.greenbuildingadvisor.com/ as a good resource. They seem to have good experts on the forums, and have addressed many of my questions in previous posts.

 

[Pardlion]

This basement seemed nice:

 

[Obliviax]

Yep--those look really nice. It just isn't my cup of tea--my "design preferences" are just different, but that is worlds better than the average shitty fiberglass panel.

yep...agreed...but the OP mentioned a budget so....

Also, I put in these cool LED lights that are 3/4 inches thick. the problem was that local code hasn't caught up because can lights require some kind of collar and to be secured by a wood brace (heat and weight). This thing puts of no heat and weighs less than the cut out it replaces. But if you are an electritian....

 

[Lion Son/Husband/Father]

This basement seemed nice:

 

[Lion Son/Husband/Father]

Tremendous here

 

[Obliviax]

^^^ blue ribbon winner! Mine is much more spartan but nice. My entire first floor is one giant room so we wanted a secondary recreation room. So my basement is a small area with a love seat, two reclining (electric) lounge chairs, a remote control gas fireplace, a modest TV above the fireplace and an elliptical behind the seating area. I often watch my PSU games there, by myself, iPad tuned into the game-time carnage known as the McAndrew board.

 

[PearlSUJam]

So we’ve been here in Hopat 4 years and moms wandered down into the basement first time long time to retrieve Christmas balls and freaked out on me. She gave me a $5000 budget and a June deadline to finish the space. I’ll do all the work except $300 worth of plumbing repairs (no powder room) drywall taping (I really suck at finish work) and carpeting. If we do fake hardwood I’ll do that myself. The ceiling is 8’2”.
So, a couple must haves:
-a space for 2 queen beds, either out in the open or walled off
-projector TV space
-bar
So share your fav must haves and pics.
Cheers. TRM
down the steps to left, existing storage to remain, add barn door, lighting and back wall

down the steps to the right
11’x20’

back wall long room
15’x32’

window nook
8’x11’

You lost me at retrieving Christmas balls!

 

[PearlSUJam]

She gave me a $5000 budget and a June deadline to finish the space.

Take the $5000 and get one of these. I'm sure she won't care.

 

[Lion Son/Husband/Father]

You lost me at retrieving Christmas balls!

Not by accident. I’m super funny.

 

[Lion Son/Husband/Father]

Take the $5000 and get one of these. I'm sure she won't care.

View embedded media

You’re such a dick. Now I need one of those

 

[PearlSUJam]

Not by accident. I’m super funny.

Indeed. You, the Rick are funny as balls.