How to Transform Your Basement Into a More Comfortable Livable Space

Chances are that your basement is dark, damp – and uncomfortable. However, with moderate effort and construction, you can turn your basement into a second living room or bedroom. There are a few things you need to consider, however, before turning your basement into a comfortable living space. It is important to know that some parts of your basement cannot be moved or removed. This is because the basement of your house holds a lot of the structural components that keep your house standing. Not only that, but most basements are also where the heating and air conditioning units of the house are stored. Here is how to transform your basement into a more comfortable living space.

First, you need to think about what you are going to do to insulate your basement. Most basements are not insulated, because they are not a place where people tend to spend long periods of time. Also, most basements have cold brick, stone, or cement walls that absorb the cold underground temperature. So, you must first place a layer of insulation and then cover the insulation with dry wall. Not only will your basement be comfy and warm, but you’ll also have nice walls as well.

After you have decided what to do with the walls and the insulation, you can start thinking about the floor. If you have a larger budget, you can remove the cement and lower the floor by a few inches, thereby making the room feel larger. However, if you want to keep the budget generally reasonable, you could simply place a nice cozy carpet over the cement. It is recommended to give the cement floor a good power-wash first and then add the carpeting. If you wanted to keep the budget even smaller, you could simply add a few area rugs. However, the thicker the carpet, the more cozy it will be.

Next, you want to make sure that the air is ventilated. The indoor air quality is a crucial component to making your basement a comfortable living space. Most basements are damp and humid – especially in the summertime. If you don’t want to risk your new furnishings, drywall, and carpet getting moldy, installing a dehumidifier is critical. These days, most dehumidifiers are automatic and read the humidity levels of a room. If the system feels like your basement is getting too humid, it will turn on and suck up the moisture in the air.

Lastly, if you want to step into your basement with comfort and style, you want to do something about those old, rickety stairs. If you have it in your budget, or if you are have an aptitude for carpentry, you could create a brand new, beautiful staircase. Although, you could also just take the existing staircase and add some padding to the steps, and maybe even a new banister. It can be nice to hold onto something as you’re traveling in and out of the basement. At the end of the day, you want your basement to feel just like any another room in the house.