An exterior entrance to your basement makes remodeling as a rental unit an idea that pays for itself.
Those considering remodeling their basement usually begin by asking themselves whether they are making the best possible use of this space. Before diving in and transforming your basement into the room of your dreams, you'll have to consult with municipal codes and laws to make sure your dreams even have a chance of coming to fruition. Once you've made sure you aren't breaking any laws, the potential for basement use ranges anywhere from a wine cellar to a home theater.
Kitchens
A mini-kitchen makes any basement remodeling plan better.
One remodeling idea for a basement in a home with a lackluster kitchen is the potential to create a dream kitchen. Another design route is to add a much smaller mini-kitchen to your plans to create a basement apartment or family game room. Standard-sized cabinets and countertops are available for the former, but you can always get customized sizes for a mini-kitchen. A smaller kitchen could be equipped with an undercounter 2-cubic-feet large refrigerator. You can also find stovetops that are half the size of a regular range.
Basement Rental Unit
If your basement already has outside access or can be remodeled to create an exit to the outside, you may be able to make up the money spent on remodeling and then some by transforming it into a rental apartment. A mini-kitchen would fit in quite nicely to this idea. Other aspects that would be required are a closet and bathroom. An effective enticement to potential renters would be a fireplace. This basement remodeling idea requires a substantial stake in both time and money, but unlike other remodeling ideas, it would also generate revenue.
Home Theater
The basement that has been remodeled as a home theater or media center can be as sophisticated as the screening rooms you see in movies about filmmakers or as simple as a room to which you add an armoire and some comfortable chairs. Theater-style recliners complete with beverage holders add to the simulation of a home theater. Another way to go is with a sofa with built-in drawers into which you can fit your collection of DVDs or Blu-Ray discs. The editors of Design Ideas for Basements recommends installing several strategically placed low-level lights with dimmers rather than a couple of centralized overhead fixtures to allow for better manipulation of viewing illumination.
Suspended Ceiling
One problem faced by some basement owners is the distinctly unattractive qualities of basement design. Exposed joists, ductwork, plumbing pipes and electrical wires are all elements that can undo a carefully crafted remodeling job. An effective way to deal with this problem is by installing a suspended ceiling that will hide those necessary, but unaesthetic ceiling construction qualities. Consider using acoustical tile on your suspended ceiling to enhance what is already a fairly well soundproofed room.
