Better Your Basem*nt
1/18
An unfinished basem*nt, with its concrete floor and exposed joists, may seem dreary and cold. But in reality it is an enormous blank canvas just waiting for your inspired ideas and artistic vision. The fact is, you don't really need niceties like drywall and recessed lighting to create an inviting space.
Before you begin, do what you need to do to make sure the space is dry and clean. Fix any water issues and apply waterproofing if necessary. Unfinished concrete flooring will produce fine dust if it’s not sealed, so you may want to consider applying a sealer. It’s an easy DIY project that will go a long way to making your unfinished basem*nt a lot more comfortable and manageable to maintain.
Employ a few of these creative basem*nt ideas—all of them low cost and low effort—to transform your unfinished room into a comfortable retreat everyone will be drawn to.
Lay Down Foam Mats
2/18
Most unfinished basem*nts have a poured concrete floor. Soften it up for playtime or workout time with square foam floor mats, like these top-rated ProsourceFit Puzzle Mat from Amazon. Foam floor mats come in different sizes and colors (even in faux-wood finishes!), and join together like a puzzle—and they're easy to pick up and move elsewhere or stack away and store when your needs change.
Related: 9 Inspiring Ideas for Basem*nt Flooring
String Some Lighting
3/18
Most unfinished basem*nts have very few electrical outlets and just a couple of naked bulb fixtures mounted in the ceiling. Bring more light to the space and create a playful ambience by hanging some string lights. With just one outlet, you can illuminate a large area with several strings of lights.
Related: The Best Basem*nt Lighting of 2021
Throw Down Area Rugs
4/18
Area rugs can warm up a cold basem*nt floor quickly. Depending on the size of your space, you could use one large rug or several smaller ones. You could even go for carpeting remnants—a low-cost, effective option that can both cozy up a basem*nt and help define different functional areas in the space.
Related: 20 Area Rugs You Can Actually Afford
Install Storage
5/18
Paint Your Cinder Block
6/18
Hang Curtains
7/18
No walls? No problem! Put up a simple and inexpensive curtain system to divide space and add dimension to an unfinished basem*nt. If you can't install a track on the ceiling, try stretching picture wire taut across the room, then attach curtain hooks with clips, like these popular ones from Amazon, to flat sheets for an easy no-sew DIY project perfect for a beginner.
Related: Divide and Conquer—14 Room Dividers to Bring Order to Your Space
Create an Art Studio
8/18
The great thing about an unfinished space is you don’t need to be too fussy about getting it messy. So why not transform part of your unfinished basem*nt into an art studio? If paint and glitter get all over the floor, they'll just add charm and inspiration.
Related:Beautiful Basem*nts: 13 Surprisingly Cool Underground Amenities in Real American Homes
Craft a Canopy for Your Ceiling
9/18
If the rafter ceiling in your unfinished basem*nt feels too cold and industrial for your taste, soften it by hanging swaths of fabric to create a beautiful canopy ceiling.
Related:15 Basem*nt Ceiling Ideas to Inspire Your Space
Build a Workshop
10/18
Every do-it-yourselfer needs a place to make the magic happen. What better spot for a workshopthan an unfinished basem*nt? A sturdy concrete floor makes cleanup easier, and open studs and rafters provide excellent organization and storage space with the simple addition ofpegboard and shelving.
Related:The Most Important Things to Keep in Your Tool Kit in 2020
Paint the Rafters
11/18
Painting the exposed beams of your basem*nt ceiling can make the entire space feel more finished without heavy renovation. As a bonus, all of your utilities will remain completely accessible, in case you need to make repairs to your ceiling in the future.
Related: 11 Breathtaking Ideas for a Wood Ceiling
Zillow Digs home inBrentwood, MO
Create a Partition
12/18
Installing a small, temporary wall can help to delineate space without requiring permits and major planning. Once the curtain is drawn in front of the washer/dryer, this basem*nt laundry room essentially disappears, letting the wet bar take center stage.
Related:Buy or DIY: 10 Room Dividers to Remake Your Space
Zillow Digs home inMountain Brook, AL
Brighten Up the Floor
13/18
Your unfinished basem*nt’s concrete floor is a blank canvas, and a coat of paint can make a huge difference. This straightforward DIY project will give you a big bang for your buck.
Related: 3 Key Steps to a Concrete Floor Refresh
Hang Up a Projector
14/18
The dim lighting and blank walls in your unfinished basem*nt make it an ideal spot to hang up a projector. Throw down some soft rugs and grab cozy blankets, and you have yourself a fun new spot for family movie night.
Related: The Best Projector Screens of 2021
Turn It Into a Wine Cellar
15/18
At-home wine cellars sound like a luxury, but truthfully this is a basem*nt idea that you can do yourself. Purchase a quality wine cooler, so your vino collection is stored at the perfect temperature, install shelving for your wine accessories, and then add some cushiony chairs or bar furniture for when you’re ready to sit back and enjoy your beverage.
Related: Why Go Out? 12 Bars You Can Build at Home
Set Up a Home Office
16/18
Need to find a space where you can work from home uninterrupted? Look no further than downstairs to your basem*nt. Throw down a soft rug, pick out a sturdy desk and chair, add a desk plant, and then get to work. The temperature in your unfinished basem*nt might not always be ideal, so consider adding a fan or heater depending on the season—of course, don’t forget to turn them off when you leave the area.
Related: 11 Ideas for Working Remotely When You Don’t Have a Home Office
Decorate It!
17/18
The best way to make your unfinished basem*nt feel complete is by adding accents and decor just as you would to any other room in your house. In addition to the basem*nt ideas above, like hanging string lights and adding area rugs, bring in other details that will add warmth, texture, and ambiance. Consider adding faux houseplants for greenery and fun furniture to make the drab space more interesting.
Related: 15 Lazy Ways to Make a Big Change in Your Home
See the Potential
18/18
The blank slate of an unfinished basem*nt offers endless possibilities.
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