If this family’s home began to feel like it was exploding at the seams, they looked underground to get a big multipurpose room where they can gather and entertain friends. Bright and inviting, this cellar now comprises a multipurpose family area, a bathroom complete with bathtub and a fresh laundry area. Tim Moore, design manager at OakWood Renovation Services, states several basement renovations of the scope and size can cost more than $100,000, however by utilizing standard finishes along with some other cost-cutting measures, he kept the budget at approximately $45,000. Following is a glance at how he lightened up the room and stretched the budgeting dollars.
Basement at a Glance
Who lives here: A household with young kids
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Size: 600 square feet
Budget: $45,000
Before Photo
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BEFORE: Like many basements, this one had been used as an unfinished cluttered catchall for storage; it was also a very gloomy place to sew and iron in. “It was in very rough form and was only horrible,” Moore states.
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AFTER: The traditional-style home is 80 years old; upstairs the rooms are small and compartmentalized, and no one room can hold a lot of men and women. Down in the cellar, the ceilings are low — only 7 feet high as completed, but light paint and bud lights help them seem greater.
Before Photo
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BEFORE: Saving the 1960s paneling along the stairs helped the bottom line. The wall’s unique feel looks fantastic with a few fresh coats of paint. Also helping the bottom line has been that the lack of structural function demanded, a lucky break for those homeowners.
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AFTER: “When it comes to basements, you may never have too many lights or too many ways to control it with dimmers and switches,” Moore states. The pot lights facing the cupboard doors add ambience.
He used some clever tips to give the illusion of pure light. If you look closely at this picture, you’ll see that the only real window is that the small one to the remaining built-ins (there’s one more small window on the other side of this built-ins). Nevertheless, using glass to the cupboard doors and a windowpane mirror lends the illusion of pure lighting in the underground area. In fact, the ground is only 6 inches below the base of the exterior window, along with the glass door contributes to a brand new laundry area.
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The firm’s in-house carpenter created custom bookcases, cabinets along with the electrical fireplace’s surround. Using painted pine and premade glass cupboard doors helped cut prices.
The glass cupboard doors, lit from above, mimic windows and reflect light. They also conceal media toys and equipment. The fireplace surround is California tumbled slate in 1- by 2-inch tiles, which add texture and warmth.
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The floors are laminate with an acoustic underpad. “This is a normal product that saved us lots of money over other flooring options,” Moore states.
The area may also serve as a guest room. The renovation included creating a small bathroom with a bathtub, and the sofa can accommodate overnight guests. The double doors to the right lead to an unfinished storage area.
Doors: Riverside
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Your turn: Show us your finished basement!