Finishing a Basement? Read This First!
Basements can provide extra storage space in a home, at times even doubling living space. Basements can be the hideaway spots for mechanical items like the furnace and hot water heater and in parts of the country prone to tornadoes, basements offer the ultimate safe space.
At last count, according to Denverite’s last assessment, more than 75 percent of the homes in Colorado have basements – with condos being the exception. If you have a home with an unfinished basement, expect to pay about $25-$50 per square foot to finish it, more if you choose top-of-the-line lighting and flooring.
Here are ways to start thinking the steps to finishing a basement, and a little design inspiration from DIYers and building contractors.
Major Phases and Top Tips
The eight major phases of finishing a basement — from start to finish — happen in this general order: framing, installing electrical, plumbing and audio-visual, then drywall, painting, adding trim, baseboard, doors and flooring. If you’re handy and looking for tips on finishing the project yourself, take a look at Tony’s blog: How To Finish My Basement. Tony details the projects that were the most challenging, and you can get more encouragement, suggestions and advice from Family Handyman and the DIY Network..
If you hire a reputable contractor – and experts agree this is one project well-suited for professionals — he/she should know the building codes and take the extra steps to waterproof the basement. Next Door and the Crystal Valley residents Facebook page, are both places to begin getting recommendations and referrals to find a reputable contractor. Castle Rock’s own Elkstone Basements, will give a free, no-obligation quote, and offers plenty of inspo on its photo gallery pages, too.
According to Craftsman Custom, here are a few ways to ensure that your subterranean space never sees even a speck of mold, including checking the foundation for any cracks and making necessary repairs and bolstering any vapor barriers
Design Ideas and Options
Most finished basements continue the contemporary design trend of open space, but designers agree that if you want a recreational/workout space plus a TV viewing area, leave plenty of “negative space” between each segment for ease of access and visual separation. Check out this TV plus hobby separation at Fresh Home. Not only does each area have its own light fixture to anchor the space, but area rugs also serve to divide each of the uses.
You can create a traditional rec room with billiards, game tables, as well as a TV viewing area, go dramatic with darker colors and comfy furniture, or lighten and brighten with pale and pastel colors, adding a kitchen and plenty of linear divisions for different purposes.
The perfect hangout for kids or adults might include lounging space and plenty of leg room for Just Dance 2021, the ultimate dance game featuring Lady Gaga, Harry Styles and Selena Gomez – 40 new tracks to play with friends and family.
Work-From-Home Offices
Lots of the new home designs in Crystal Valley include a den/study/bonus room. But if you need TWO home offices – and these days that necessity is becoming more and more common – a basement office can be just what you need!
Scroll through this Pinterest page of ideas for basement office spaces, or an HGTV video compilation for closed-off office spaces, ultimate guest getaways, workout areas, and entertainment lounges.
Sebring Design sorted 72 different basement finishes into categories like Elegant, Entertainment, Chill, Gray and White, Artistic, Crafty, Media Rooms, Gorgeous, Hip and Happy and Stone Walls – and doubtless one of them will speak to you!
Houzz collected a variety of partially finished basement ideas, some leaving ceilings open, and others dressing walls and adding area rugs to make use of the space while you decide which design suits your life and style..
And HGTV’s Candice Olson shows you how to tackle window treatments in this menu of illusion ideas for basement windows — from shutters to shades.
Lots of Basement Options in Crystal Valley!
Basements are a sought-after feature of the new homes in the master-planned community of Crystal Valley – and come in handy for families who need room to grow! Surrounded by nature minutes from shopping, dining and the historic town of Castle Rock, the beautiful models from Richmond American Homes, Kauffman Homes, Century Communities and D.R. Horton – in ranch or two-story models – are priced from the $300s.
