Looking for the best way to use that unfinished space in your basement? Renovating your home’s lower level is a great way to add extra space and value to your current home. At Cypress Homes, we make it easy for homeowners to finish off lower level space later on by including pre-plumbing for another bathroom in most of our homes. We also usually include at least one egress window to allow homeowners to meet building codes for an extra bedroom. Even without those things included in your basement, here are 5 ways to use that basement space and few things you may need:

1. Home Office

Having a place that you can bring your work home can be a very nice thing to have. The basement is a perfect quiet space that you can get your work done without being distracted. A few things that you should have in your office are:

• Desk
• Wood floors
• Built in cabinets
• Sufficient lighting (compact florescent bulbs)
• Wireless router or internet jack
• Comfortable chairs not only for you but also clients

2. Playroom

Basements are generally considered as the extra space of your room. Keeping all your kid’s items in the basement increases the space in main parts of your home. It also increases fun and extra activity. It provides a proper area to play many floor games. Having guests can be a challenge because of children playing and making noise, so having a place where they don’t disturb your guests can be very nice. Some essentials of a child’s play room could be:

• Bright color Pillows and Cushions
• Hiding places
• Hang the alphabetical, numerical, animal names and various other charts
• Easy to clean furnishing
• Toy bin for easy clean up

3. Recreation or Family Room

This is a great place to bring anyone for any kind of get together. It is also a place for you and your family to have quality bonding time. Having billiards such as darts, pool, or even air hockey will keep your children active and social.  Important features and games could include:

• Pool table
• Television
• Furniture (couches, recliners)
• Stools
• Music Player

4. Home Theater

What better way to watch your favorite team then on a giant projection screen? Children will also have a place to watch their favorite TV shows and movies with their friends. Leisure time will no longer consist of your family fighting over the best chair in the living room since there won’t be a bad seat in the room. A few musts in your home theater are:

• Television or big screen
• DVD Player to run the DVD and Speakers
• Movie posters
• Popcorn machine, mini fridge, nacho maker and small sink
• Painting the wall with soft, warm colors to create the mood

5. Bar

If you’re sick of searching for a venue for you and your buddies to hang out, then this is the right decision. A bar can be a perfect place to kick back and loosen up after a long week of work. This may not be the right decision for a family full of children. However, once they’re off to college this could be a great idea for your adult parties. Showing off your wine collection and your bartending skills will entertain anyone you bring into your basement. You’ll not only need the actual bar but you may also want to include:

• Stools
• Wine cooler
• Juke box
• Card Table
• Sink
• Refrigerator
• Television

However you decide to finish off your basement, make sure you do it right.  Either hire a reputable contractor or if you plan to tackle it yourself find a DIY resource.

“Like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/cypresshomeswi/