For homeowners who aren’t actively using all their basement space, the possibilities are endless when deciding how to renovate. For most people, the natural choice is to convert unfinished basements into bedrooms. Why? There are lots of reasons: adding an extra room can increase the home’s value, provide another private room for visitors or relatives, and can even allow you to rent out space for a bonus source of income.
However, a few tips are essential to keep in mind before setting off on a renovation adventure with your unfinished basement. Below, we’re going to outline some relevant info for home improvers to check out. Plus, we’ll discuss what you should avoid.
Tip: Add Insulation and Moisture Protection
Odds are, the existing wall and floor insulation in your unfinished basement are not up to par with the currently occupied bedrooms upstairs.
If you want to create an aura of comfort and refuge from the elements, it’s essential to install insulation and moisture protection in your new bedroom. Insulation provides extra warmth as well as sound-dampening properties. And since your new bedroom will be below the rest of the house, foot traffic noise can be an issue.
Tip: Lighting
Improving the lighting in basement spaces might seem like a challenge. However, one simple solution is to open up window wells if you have them. Replacing fogged glass with new UV-protective windows will allow daylight to fill your bedroom space.
If window wells aren’t an option, you can invest in high-quality indoor lighting. Warm lights that cover spaces with a diffused glow are generally the best types of lights to install to brighten up gloomy basements.
Avoid: Adding New Walls
Most two or three-bedroom homes built today have basements without extra walls. Adding new walls to a basement can be a challenge, even though you might think it’s necessary to cut up the basement floorplan with walls to give visitors or renters privacy.
Instead of installing new walls, we have found that an open floor plan is preferable. As long as there is a secure lock to the basement space, you’ll save thousands by not putting up extra walls. Use bookshelves, blinds, and other rigid items to partition the area instead. Check out curtain systems too. You can change the curtains to match the season or add warmth with heavier textiles.
Avoid: Hastily Placed Outlets
Whoever is going to be using your newly renovated bedroom is bound to have electronic equipment. Since the outlet connections are probably scarce in your unfinished basement, you’ll want to avoid putting in outlets at random. Sketching out the floor plan is always a good first step before locating your electrical lines.
Are You Ready to Renovate?
Converting your unfinished basement to a bedroom is an excellent way to improve your home value and free up some space. By trying out the simple tips above and avoiding some common errors, you’ll see how easy (and fun!) it is to open up a new space in your home for your friends and family to enjoy.
If you need some help with this potentially daunting task, contact our team at One Man and a Toolbox today. We can help you with whatever project you may have.