You may not have thought of your basement as a living space in your home but it’s as much a part of your family’s assets as any other room. Newer homes often have a basement finished to perfection as a recreational area but with older homes, basements were often treated as mere storage and protection against severe weather.
If you are like a lot of people, your basement probably serves as a laundry room and serves as a place to store seasonal items. You may even have a workshop down there or a television for people who want to watch something different than the rest of the family. Most people also have some emergency food, water and equipment to tide them through severe weather. But did you know that your basement can serve a lot of other purposes? It can become a recreational space, a study, a library, a place to entertain or a combination of all those things.
The great thing about finishing your basement is that the room is already there – all the foundations, walls, wiring and plumbing is waiting to be used for any purpose you wish! If you are using it for the laundry, you can hide your washer, dryer and other related equipment with an attractive enclosure. A workshop can be segregated from the rest of the area with screens or walls if you like and the rest of the space can be dedicated as you wish.
It doesn’t take a lot of expense or work to finish a basement. The major project might be a drop ceiling to hide the plumbing and wiring and yet provide access to them as needed. These ceilings are can be very attractive and it’s a simple matter to convert the plain light fixtures into a warm and cozy glow.
If your basement walls are concrete, it’s easy and economical to cover them with paneling or drywall and also add a layer of insulation to keep out the chill of winter. The result will be a dry basement that is warm in the winter and cool in the summer, a perfect place for family gatherings or solitary hobbies. There are several top quality materials to choose from, storage, insulation, millwork, moulding, cabinetry and everything else you need to turn your ordinary basement into a haven of comfort.
You can use the homeowner service provided by Dean Lumber of Southern Maryland to get an in-home estimate of the materials you’ll need to convert your basement to a living space. Our design consultants can help you in planning your remodel and determine a budget. Even if you have limited funds to work with you can make your basement a comfortable, fun place to be. And when you finish your basement you also increase the resale value of your home!
