How to Prepare and Transform Your Cold Basement into a Living Space

Basements provide extra space to every house – and there’s no secret that, since long ago, people have been burrowing underground for safety during storms. The problem is that basements can be very cold and humid, making long-term living in the room quite difficult. However, there are multiple ways to turn a dark and cold basement into a warm and welcoming living area.

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Depending on the state of your basement, you might be looking at a full-scale basement renovation process. However, by taking the right steps, you can add significant square footage to your home. In times where basement space is often left to waste, here is how you can actually put it to good use.

Insulate the Basement

One thing you’ll definitely need to do in order to turn your cold basement into a living space is to insulate the place. Not only will this prevent the cold from slipping into the basement while retaining heat, but it will also soundproof your basement.

There are many things that you can use to insulate your basement, such as batting, styrofoam insulation panels, or other similar materials. Bear in mind that the insulating material of your choice might also influence the final design of the basement walls. Finishing a basement might not be cheap, but insulation will save ongoing billing costs. 

Upgrade the Flooring

If you plan on turning the basement into a living area, then you don’t want to constantly step on concrete cold floors. In fact, a lot of the coldness from the basement will actually come from the floors themselves. This is why you may want to do a check-up on the floors and possibly upgrade them.

For the most part, classic wood flooring won’t work in the basement. It will fall prey to warping and moisture, which can cause it to get damaged before its time. However, engineered wood or tile flooring will work just fine. Add some insulating foam and a good carpet in the mix, and it will change the vibe of the basement. 

Play With the Lighting

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Lighting can go a long way to make a dark room seem much brighter and cosier – and this includes the basement. If possible, try to create a top window that brings at least a small amount of light into the basement. This can easily be done with basements that are not hidden all the way into the ground.

If the window option is not available, you can get a good effect with artificial lighting as well. Ideally, go for warm lights that can shine a lot of light over your basement. Diffused lighting throughout the basement will also work. Warm lighting can remove the gloom from a basement and make it seem more habitable. 

Waterproof the Basement

The thing about basements is that since they’re below ground level, they get a lot of moisture. This exact moisture is what will make the air feel damp and cold. To turn your basement into a cosy living area that is not filled with moisture in the air, you need to waterproof the area. 

You must fill any potential crack in the foundation and seal the potential openings. For doors and windows, you may use caulk to seal everything. After that, you can apply some waterproof coating on the surface. Make sure that you choose the appropriate type of coating for the area that you are working with, as some wall waterproof coatings may not work just as well for floors. 

Expand the Stairway

Basement stairways tend to be dark and narrow. To make your basement more accessible, you might want to expand and update it as well. Make sure that it has a good and sturdy handrail for you to grab on, and that the flooring is slip-free. It might take some architectural detail planning, but the result will have a greater effect.

Ideally, you might want to use the same surface for the stairs as you used for the basement floors. Also, make sure that the stairs are well-lit. The last thing you want is to miss a step simply because you did not see where you were going. 

Fix the Plumbing

Basements are often very large, so there’s a chance that aside from a room, you may want to add a bathroom for more convenience. In that sense, you should arrange for new plumbing – or at least check that the old plumbing is in good shape. You don’t want any flooding right after you finish renovating your basement. You might also need to install a pump and extra piping for the new bathroom, so make sure you do all the arrangements. 

Arrange for Good Ventilation

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Ventilation is very important for a basement, particularly since you will likely use heating measures such as fireplaces or heaters. You’ll need a method to funnel away any potentially toxic fumes. You may ensure ventilation by working on the windows or creating ventilation points. As the air flows, it will allow your basement to remain fresh and will feel less musty and mouldy.

Air conditioning or an air vent can also help you in this regard. Depending on the circumstances, you might want to hire someone to set up a ventilation system. 

Pick the Right Furniture

With everything said and done, the last thing you need to do in order to turn the basement into a living area is to pick the right furniture. If you have a small basement, you might want to go for combo furniture – for example, a bed that turns into a bookcase during the day. In the end, it’s a matter of style and purpose, but make sure that you choose furniture that speaks the “cosy” language.

If you already have some pieces of furniture in your home or want to buy them second-hand, you might want to consider reupholstering them. Perhaps you have some chairs or a couch in your basement that has been wilting away, and you wish to put it to good use. In that case, changing the upholstery might transform the look entirely – especially if it’s been sitting around in a humid room for a while.

Go for materials that may withstand potential humidity, but also make sure that they are comfortable to sit on. After all, since you want to turn the basement into a cosier living area, you can’t have furniture that smells old or musty.

The Bottom Line

Basements hold a lot of promise. You just need to learn how to take advantage of them. It might take a bit of renovation to make the basement feel less damp and cold, but the final result should be worth it. Take it one step at a time, and you’ll add more square footage to your home this way.

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