How to Make Your Basement a Place You Want to Hang Out In

By Shelley Frost

September 09, 2024

Does your family avoid the basement like it's a dark, scary dungeon? Whether it's an unfinished or finished basement, the lowest level of your home offers extra living space if you can convince your family to go down there.

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Simple upgrades and renovations make the space warm and inviting to give you more usable space without moving house or adding on.

Make Your Unfinished Basement Cozier

Finishing a basement comes with a major price tag. You can expect to spend between $7,500 and $15,000 (CAD 10,246 and CAD 20,492) on the framing, drywall, floors and ceilings of a 1,000-square-foot basement. The following upgrades can help make your unfinished basement welcoming without such costs.

Paint the Space

A cozy, welcoming color on the walls and floor makes your unfinished basement more inviting. Painting the ceiling helps disguise the unattractive floor joists overhead. Choose one dark color to help all the exposed ceiling components blend together and become less visible.

Upgrade the Lighting

Basements have a reputation for being dark and cave-like, but new lighting can combat that perception. If the basement has a simple light fixture with an exposed bulb, upgrade it to a more visually appealing fixture. You can also hire an electrician to add more fixtures if the current setup doesn't provide enough light.

If you want to skip the electrician, add string lights around the basement ceiling for a warm glow and a whimsical touch. Floor and table lamps also brighten the space and give you more flexibility on where you place the light sources.

Put Down Flooring or a Rug

Unfinished basements typically feature bare concrete floors. That's not the most inviting surface, and it can feel cold on your feet. Consider adding simple peel-and-stick tiles, a carpet remnant or a large rug to cover the concrete. Floor coverings make the basement feel like a finished space and add a layer of warmth over chilly basement floors.

Disguise Mechanical Components

A bulky furnace or water heater lurking in the corner makes your basement less appealing. Hiding the mechanicals creates a more finished look without a lot of work. For a simple, budget-friendly option, grab room dividers or privacy screens and place them around the mechanicals. They're still easily accessible for maintenance or repairs, but you don't have to look at them while you enjoy the space.

If you have a little more money, build basic walls around the mechanical area. With a little framing and drywall, you can make a separate space for the mechanical components so they're out of sight. If you decide to finish the basement in the future, you already have one wall completed.

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Improve Your Finished Basement

A finished basement still has room for improvement when it comes to making the space cozy and appealing. Try these options to encourage your family to spend more time in the basement.

Address Temperature and Moisture Issues

Even with a finished basement, you may deal with temperature and moisture issues. Basements tend to feel colder than the rest of the house. Upgrading your HVAC system or installing a separate heating and cooling system in the basement helps you control the temperature. It can also help to install an electric fireplace.

If your basement feels damp and smells musty, address the source of the moisture. Waterproofing the basement or adding drainage outside the home can help. Dehumidifiers help remove excess moisture to keep the space more comfortable.

Add Comfortable Touches

Evaluate the furniture options in the basement to see if it's time to replace older pieces with something more comfortable. Throw blankets, throw pillows and floor pillows add to the coziness of the space. Add ottomans for extra seating and a soft place to prop your feet.

Hang Decor Pieces

Sprucing up the room with wall and table decor makes it a more cheerful space. To help you select the decor, choose a theme or general decorating style. Seasonal decor also keeps the space looking fresh and adds a festive look.

Incorporate Entertainment

If your basement is boring, add some form of entertainment based on your family's preferences. Common options for basements include pool tables, foosball tables, TVs, gaming equipment or a table for board games. For adult entertaining, you might install a home bar in the basement.

Brighten the Space

Light can be an issue in a finished basement as it is in an unfinished basement. Consider a larger fixture to spread more light throughout the basement. Swap out the window coverings for options that are easy to open or sheer to let in more natural light. Adding lamps throughout the basement also helps.

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