A finished basement can turn the lowest floor of your home into one with utmost potential. For one thing, it can provide multiple ways to add value to your property. The extra living space can attract a wide range of buyers.
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In the US, a finished basement can also give a 70 to 75 percent return on your investment so you can expect to earn about $700 for your property value if you spent $1,000 for home improvement or $7,000 if you spent $10,000.
If a finished basement sounds attractive to you, read on to learn its many different types to know your options.
Related: Types of House Foundations
Carpeting
Source: Amazon
Finished basements need to have certain things in order to feel like they are truly complete. You don’t want to leave things only partially done, so it is imperative that you do something with the flooring. One of the most popular flooring options when it comes to finished basements is carpeting. You can definitely make good use of carpeting in a finished basement, and it will make the entire space feel more inviting.
Many people use finished basements as a way to create a guest room for people who come to visit. This is an excellent idea, as it is a good way to make use of your space. You want to be able to make your finished basement feel inviting and one of the best ways to do that is by adding some carpeting. It generally won’t cost too much money to purchase carpeting for just your basement, so this should be a simple task.
Choosing which type of carpeting to pick is a completely different story. There are so many options on the market that it can be difficult to decide what to go with. You should pick carpeting that matches up well with the other aesthetic choices that you have made when designing your basement area. Think about how you did the walls and the color of any paint that you have added to the area, as this will help you to make an informed decision.
Finding a good deal on carpeting won’t be too tough. No matter what type of carpeting appeals to you the most, you will be able to find good options. Once you have made a choice, getting it installed should be simple. Sometimes free installation is available when you purchase carpeting from professionals, but whatever path you choose to take shouldn’t be too difficult.
Basement Floor Carpet Tile
Source: Wayfair
There are going to be certain challenges that you will face when finishing your basement. One of the most important things that you need to figure out is whether your basement is going to have a problem with moisture. Normal carpeting will work fine in many basements, but it can also be quite bad if you have issues with moisture. Too much moisture is going to cause your carpet to become damp and then it is going to mildew.
You definitely don’t want to deal with mildew and mold in your newly finished basement. Thankfully, there is a way that you can enjoy carpeting in your basement without having to deal with the hassle of these problems. You can purchase basement floor carpet tiles. These tiles have been specifically designed for basements and they will be able to stay protected from the moisture issues.
There is a grid on the underside of these tiles that was designed to provide some airflow. This keeps the tile itself from having issues with mold. To add on to this, these tiles are incredibly easy to install by yourself. They interlock with one another and you don’t even have to be a handy individual to lay these carpet tiles down properly.
You will feel very comfortable in your new finished basement if you decide to go with these basement floor carpet tiles. They will be simple to install and they will keep the basement floor much warmer than it would otherwise be. This actually helps the basement to be a lot more energy efficient as well, which is quite nice for your pocketbook. You will want to look into basement floor carpet tile options to see if this is the right path for you to take.
Cork Flooring
Source: Amazon
Cork flooring is another great option to consider when you are looking into flooring to put in your finished basement. You will want to have a floor that is going to be safe from mold problems and this cork flooring is a good option, so long as you seal it properly. This type of flooring is going to need to be sealed in order to harden itself up. One of the issues with cork flooring is that it is a generally soft material, but it can be hardened and protected properly through normal sealing methods.
Installing cork flooring is exceedingly easy. It will be able to be popped into place with very minimal effort on your part. This flooring has proven to be quite popular because of how simple it is to use. Even people with very little experience are capable of making good use of this type of flooring. It won’t take long to install it in your basement, and you will be able to enjoy having a nice floor.
Sealing the flooring is actually very simple as well. It can also be beneficial to lay down a moisture barrier underlayment before laying this type of flooring. This is an added step that can further protect your cork flooring from any unwanted moisture problems. Taking the time to do everything properly will lead to you having the best possible experience in your finished basement.
Depending on your sensibilities, this may not be the most visually appealing floor option. Some people think it looks very charming and others find it to be lacking. It is definitely very simple to use, so it’s something that is worth looking into when you want a floor that is easy to install and will last you a long time.
Laminate Tile Flooring
Source: Amazon
People like to use laminate tile flooring in their finished basements pretty often too. In some ways, this might be the best option, as it doesn’t have too many issues with the moisture in the basement. Installing laminate tile flooring is pretty easy overall, but you will want to pay attention to how you are laying everything in order to ensure that it matches up properly. The type of laminate tile flooring being shown off here is particularly easy to install as it simply locks into place.
There are a plethora of different options to consider when picking out laminate tile flooring. You will want to be able to match everything up just right with the rest of the room. There are many types of colors and patterns available for you to choose from, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to find laminate tile flooring that appeals to your sense of style. The most difficult part will likely be narrowing the choices down and then making an ultimate decision on what you like the most.
This is also a fairly affordable flooring option. You can buy laminate tile flooring at a very reasonable price and it won’t be too tough for you to install it throughout your entire basement. If you want to get the flooring needs of your finished basement taken care of swiftly, then it would be smart to take this route. Think about the type of look that you want for your basement and then make your decision from there.
Wood Paneling
Source: Wayfair
You don’t want the walls on your basement to look dingy or unfinished in any way. Typically, people will throw up some drywall and put it over the top of the normal concrete walls. Most basements will have concrete walls and, needless to say, these don’t exactly look very inviting. You need to cover those up and you also want to make sure that things will stay cozy in the new environment that you have created.
Wood paneling is going to be a really nice option to finish your basement with. It is relatively simple to hang wood paneling once you have put the drywall up. As long as you know how to swing a hammer, this task shouldn’t be all that difficult. There are many different types of wood paneling on the market to choose from, but it is recommended that you stay away from peel and stick.
Peel and stick wood paneling options are really nice, but they may not be the best fit for your finished basement. You want to have the option of installing insulation between the wood paneling and the drywall, and this simply wouldn’t be possible with the peel and stick variety. Hanging wood paneling as normal will be perfect, though. You will be able to choose between several different styles of wood paneling, so you can get the perfect color to achieve the look you are going for.
Best of all, you can buy wood paneling at a very affordable price. If you want to be able to save a bit of money on your overall budget, then using this option for the walls is an excellent idea. You will be able to use that money very well elsewhere. Wood paneling will stand the test of time and you will love how it looks.
Insulation
Source: Home Depot
One important option that you should really choose to add to your finished basement is insulation. You want your finished basement to feel as comfortable as possible, so you need to make sure it is well insulated. The winter weather can get pretty cold and you will not want to spend much time in a basement that isn’t properly insulated during this season. For this reason, installing insulation is going to be your best bet if you want to use the room to its full potential.
This is going to be crucial if you plan on using this room as a guest room, man cave, or game room. Luckily, the wood paneling option mentioned above makes it quite simple to install insulation. You will want to buy some insulation that you can put into the walls easily. There are several types of insulation that you could consider using, but fiberglass insulation rolls are definitely among the simplest to use.
If you are going to be installing this insulation yourself, then remember to wear a mask and some gloves. Insulation is not something that you want to have touching your skin. It can definitely cause you an ample amount of discomfort, so you might want to look at some tips to install fiberglass insulation before you start. This will ring especially true if you have never worked with insulation in any capacity before.
Don’t be intimidated by insulation simply because you need to take safety precautions. It really isn’t too difficult once you understand what you are doing. The insulation is going to help to keep the basement significantly warmer during the winter months, and it will even help with your overall energy efficiency in the entire house. This is a worthwhile step to take, so you will not want to ignore this option.
Ceiling Fan with Light
Source: Amazon
Installing a ceiling fan with a light is going to be beneficial to your finished basement for several reasons. It will help to create some air circulation in the basement, and this is going to be very nice in the summer months. It will also be a convenient source of light, as you aren’t likely going to have much natural light peering in through the windows. You need proper lighting in order to be able to enjoy your basement to the fullest, and this is a simple way to install an effective light that won’t get in your way.
Buying a really nice ceiling fan will help your finished basement area to seem less like a basement as well. It will look a little bit more like a normal room. This is excellent, as you will be able to enjoy the room much more readily when it feels like a natural place to spend time in. The whole point of finishing your basement is to make it into a livable space for guests or to use it for recreational purposes.
A nice ceiling fan adds a significant amount of charm to any room. You should go ahead and purchase a ceiling fan with a light that will look appealing to you. There are a lot of distinct ceiling fan styles, so you should feel like there is enough variety to keep you satisfied. Once you have found the right option, it won’t take long to get the ceiling fan installed.
Having better air circulation is going to make hanging out in your finished basement more pleasant. It can also help you with moving your air conditioning around so that the entire basement will stay cooler during the hottest months of the summer. Assuming you have a central air conditioning unit installed, ceiling fans are an effective tool for helping you to get the most out of those units. Just make sure that you keep your ceiling fan nice and clean for the best results.
Dehumidifier
Source: Amazon
Putting a dehumidifier in your basement is going to help to make it more comfortable as well. You want the air to feel good to breathe in your basement area. If you are finding that your basement is a bit too damp for your liking, then a dehumidifier is going to be your best bet to remedy the situation. You can purchase a dehumidifier at most major retailers and it won’t cost you too much money, making it a very practical option.
If you are going to be making regular use of your finished basement, then buying a dehumidifier is a step you won’t want to ignore. This is going to make the area seem a lot more livable than it might otherwise be. If you’re making this finished basement space into a guest room, then you really need to get one of these. People will get sick if they breathe in really damp air all of the time, and a dehumidifier is going to keep things much more normal throughout the basement.
You don’t even have to go to any special lengths to use one of these dehumidifiers either. All that you need to do is plug it into the power outlet and let it do its thing. You will have a much more comfortable basement environment with air that doesn’t feel weird to breathe in. Now you will be able to use the space to its full potential, without feeling worried.
Also, if you are using your finished basement to house things for a game room, then you will definitely want a dehumidifier. Game rooms often contain cardboard video game boxes and other things that can be negatively impacted by dampness. It would be bad not to have a dehumidifier and then ruin some of your favorite items by storing them in your basement. Even if your basement doesn’t appear to be incredibly damp right now, it is best to err on the side of caution in this situation.
Portable Air Conditioner
Source: Wayfair
Portable air conditioners are really convenient to own. If you don’t have a central air conditioning unit, then you may want to purchase one of these to use in your finished basement during the summer months. Some basements actually stay pretty cool in the summer, so you may not need to buy a portable air conditioner depending on your particular situation. If your basement is hot and uncomfortable, then you will definitely want to grab one of these convenient little cooling units.
Portable air conditioners are the best option for basements. You likely don’t have a very large window in your basement area, so installing a window unit would not be practical. These portable air conditioning units don’t need to use a window to work. You simply plug them into the wall outlet and they work like a charm.
If your basement is quite large, then you will want to buy a unit that is more powerful. One of these portable air conditioning units may not be enough to cool off the entire space to your liking, depending on how cool you like things to be. You should be able to make good use of this air conditioner to keep things more comfortable, though. If the finished basement isn’t too big, then it will likely be sufficient to keep things quite comfortable during the hottest months of the year.
These air conditioning units are very affordable, too. They don’t cost an exorbitant amount of money, so it won’t be tough at all to fit one into your budget. Being able to be comfortable in your new finished basement is important. If this can help you to enjoy the new space that you have created, then it is certainly worth the small investment.
Staircase
Source: Wayfair
This is going to be one of the more optional features that you will want to consider for your finished basement. You should already have a staircase that leads down into your basement. If your staircase isn’t all that impressive, then you might be interested in jazzing things up a bit. Installing a new staircase that looks much more visually striking can really be an appealing option.
Spiral staircases have become increasingly more popular over the years. These staircases have a really interesting look to them and they are eye-catching in their own unique way. If you were to add a spiral staircase to your basement area, then it would definitely change the overall vibe of the room and give you something fresh to look at. There are other options besides spiral staircases to consider, so you can weigh your options and figure out what you would like to go with.
Another popular idea is to widen your staircase significantly. This will make getting down into the basement feel less perilous. If you have one of those inconvenient staircases that’s way too narrow, then this is definitely a suggested idea. Widening a staircase wouldn’t be too hard to do, as you could simply modify your existing staircase in this situation, assuming you have the carpentry skills and an understanding of structural integrity.
Whatever route you want to take with a new staircase, you should just know that there are good options available to you. Adding a new staircase could be the best decision to make when looking to alter the appearance of the basement area. It changes the atmosphere significantly and can make the room feel more special. Take a look at some different staircases before deciding on which one you would like to purchase.