Taking on the project of finishing your basement is a big one no matter what state your basement is currently in, whether it's half-finished or completely unfinished. But, the result is always great.
Finishing your basement means you have another living space. You can turn it into a man cave, give the kids a place to hang out with their friends or transform it into a workspace to do crafts and other creative projects.
Here are our five best tips for finishing your basement.
1. Take Accurate Measurements
Before you begin any projects, you have to take accurate measurements of all of the dimensions in the basement. This is crucial in any project that follows, from installing new flooring and adding new wiring to buying new furniture.
You should also be sure to compare those measurements to local building codes. Some areas require certain dimensions for finished basements, so you have to make sure your basement follows those codes before you get started on the project.
2. Call a Professional When Necessary
You can take on a lot of great projects yourself to finish your basement. However, there are certain jobs that you should leave to the professionals to make sure it's done right.
Call in an electrician to check out the wiring in your basement and a plumber to make sure the plumbing is in good condition. If you try taking on projects like these yourself, you may end up doing more bad then good. Professionals in these industries will be able to inspect your current systems, find if anything is wrong and get it fixed.
After they do their jobs, your basement is ready for your own DIY projects! Whenever you can, completing projects yourself is a great way to save money and take pride in your work when the job is all done.
3. Put in Enough Lighting
One of the possible downsides to using your basement as a living space is that there is typically very little natural light. This makes it really important to install enough lighting.
From overhead lighting to lamps, you will probably rely mainly on lights like this instead of natural lighting. To make the room feel warm and well-lit, you can also paint with light colors and buy light-colored furniture.
If you fail to add enough lighting to your basement, it will feel dark and gloomy, even in the middle of the day. Using multiple types of lighting in the basement helps it feel warm and comfortable and also turns it into a functional space.
4. Make It Warm
Basements can easily feel too cold and clammy. Luckily, some simple projects can help your basement stay warm and cozy when you need it to be.
Properly insulating the walls is key. Adding insulation can be a big project, but it's necessary to turn your basement into a comfortable living space. If the basement does have windows, you may need to replace them to make sure your heating and cooling bill doesn't go up.
Since your basement is on the lowest level, it's prone to the changes in temperature along with the ground outside. In the winter, this can make the basement very chilly. Before you install your carpeting or another flooring, be sure to put drainage, dimpled mats or even warming cables in the floor.
5. Install DIY Crown Molding
To give your basement a fantastic finished look, use a crown molding kit from Focal Point Products! Even if you don't have any experience in home improvement, this kit is simple enough for anyone to install it.
The kit is a great alternative to wood crown molding. The patented system has only a few steps — screw the clips into the wall, snap the molding to the quick clips and then snap on the molding mates and corner pieces.
You won't find an easier project while you're finishing your basement! We have several different styles available, making it easy to find the perfect look for your new basement. Browse our kits today to find the right one for your upcoming project.