If you’re considering finishing your basement, you may be wondering what you should do with it. After all, there are so many ways you can use the space. The answer, of course, depends on what kinds of activities you enjoy most. Here are our favorite ideas for getting the most out of your finished basement.
Guest Suite
Lots of people use their finished basements for guest rooms, but why not go the extra mile for your guests? Install a wet bar or kitchenette where you can have drinks and snacks ready. You can also create a downstairs living area so that guests can kick back and watch TV in their own space. Your guests will feel more at home, and you’ll be happier having people stay with you for longer.
Home Theater
Not every form of entertainment has to include a cocktail hour. You can turn your finished basement into a home theater where you and your friends can watch movies and stream the latest shows. If possible, make sure to elevate the back row so that everyone can see the screen equally.
If you’d like to increase the ambience, we recommend decorating with movie posters and building a snack station nearby. This is the perfect excuse to buy your own popcorn machine and stock up on those boxes of movie candy at the grocery store.
Home Gym
If working out and staying fit is more your thing, the basement makes a perfect place to build a home gym. You can finally have space for full-size gym equipment that you never have to share with anyone else. Keep a nearby fridge stocked with your favorite post-workout drinks.
Our favorite thing about having a gym in a private home is that you can turn the downstairs bathroom into a “dirty” zone, keeping sweaty workout clothes from causing the rest of your house to smell.
Bar and Lounge
If you love to entertain guests, a downstairs bar and lounge is an amazing way to get the most out of your finished basement. Make sure you install a wet bar with a fridge so that you can keep your favorite drink ingredients at the ready. Leather sofas, ambient lighting, built-in speakers, and pool tables all make great details to add to make your next night in feel like a night out.
Spa and Pool
Yes, you read that correctly—you can have a pool in your basement! While there are some architectural tricks to the process, most people can easily install at least an above-ground pool or hot tub in their basement. You can exercise, lounge, and pretend you’re on vacation, all without having to leave your own home. And since it’s all inside your house, you don’t need to worry about building a special enclosure.
Once you finish your basement, it’s time to think about the details, like choosing the right paint color. We know it’s exciting to finish a renovation, but taking the time to think things through will help you be happier with the results.
