6 Stages of Life That Require a Finished Basement
Are you considering a basement remodel? Finishing your basement so it's usable, livable, maybe even cozy? Perhaps you're entering one of the six stages of life that often make your home feel, well, a little more cramped than before.
The Stage of Life Quiz
Many homeowners decide to finish their basement when they enter a new stage of life. The house suddenly seems smaller or needs have changed. Perhaps this is true for you. Here are five typical life stages that can leave you wishing for a little more space:
- It's my first home
- My family's expanding
- Someone plays the drums (or something similar)
- The kids are getting older (and bigger!)
- The parents/grandparents are moving in
- My grown child (or children) are moving back!
If you find yourself in one or more categories, you have three options:
- Move to a bigger home
- Build an addition: if you have the land, inclination, and funds
- Finish the basement: a cost-effective way to expand your livable space
Depending on your category, the correct approach to finishing your basement may vary:
First Home: if you're a first-time homebuyer who bought a smaller home than you actually needed, finishing the basement is a great way to expand square footage and add value that you'll recoup when you sell.
Family expansion: a family/playroom that lets little ones play on inclement days and also a great space for birthday parties, and other social gatherings.
Drums and other noisy hobbies: A perfect space for Drum players or even as an exercise room with a sound system--if the basement is large enough, the space can be segmented off for different uses, or left an open floorplan. Our finishing products includes wall panels and ceiling tiles that add acoustic soundproofing for those of us with louder interests.
Kids getting older: A media room that can be used by the whole family--but can also accommodate a rowdy group of teens whether they're playing video games or hosting a slumber party.
Grandparents and grown children: an in-law apartment or spare bedroom with a bathroom can help provide much-needed privacy when loved ones move in.
We tell our customers to err on the side of universal, open designs over specific floorplans. You can always infuse your personality or even your own sense of functionality with furniture and fixtures. For example, an open floor plan can serve as a playroom and expand into a more general media room, useful to both teens and the entire family. A spare bedroom can easily be turned into an office, gym or hobby room, and vice-versa.
When you meet with a Total Basement Finishing specialist, they'll want to review with you all the possible ways your family might use a finished basement and take these into account when designing the finished space. These considerations usually consist of:
- wiring of electronics
- necessary egresses and coding issues
- obstacles and utilities in the basement and structural objects
- lighting and custom built-ins
The beauty of our system is that it is modular, installs quickly with components that are waterproof and mildew-resistant while adding warmth and comfort. Browse our Finishing Ideas and check out our Pinterest board. Or take our wizard to get more detailed recommendations for planning a finished basement that meets your needs.
When you're ready, find your local Total Basement Finishing contractor for a detailed estimate.
