Looking for more living space in your house? Tired of tripping over the kid’s toys in the Family Room? Want to be able to entertain more guests with your new flat screen T.V. and billiard table? Open the door and take a stroll down into the abyss that is your Basement.
No longer does “the Basement” have to conjure up thoughts of punishment or banishment. It is possible to be excited when someone says, “let’s go down to the Basement.” Whether you live in a brand new home or a centuries old farmhouse, your Basement can be turned into the entertainment centerpiece of your family life.
We will be looking at “the Basement as living space” over the next few entries, but even then, we will not be able to cover all the options and topics that need to be considered when finishing off the lower level of your home.
One of the topics that we will not dwell on is the one dealing with permits and codes that address the use of the Basement spaces of your home. Suffice to say that you need to be in contact with your local municipality to make sure that you are in compliance with all of the requirements of their current building codes. One of the biggest ticket items that may come up in your conversations with your code official may be the whole egress issue. This is not a topic to be taken lightly. Just think, you do not want your guests to be trapped in the Basement should there be a fire on the first floor of your home. Don’t skimp or try to get around this. It is for your safety and the safety of your family and friends.
The newly finished space can run the gamut of simplicity to extravagance. Cleaning out some of your unwanted junk and throwing down a remnant carpet can make a great new play space for the kids. Or creating a Home Theater complete with a snack bar and Theater seating along with a Billiard Room and full Bathroom can facilitate a full blown adult entertainment area. Only you can determine your needs and wants as well as your budget!
Let’s get started!
Next Time…Planning Your Finished Basement Space
Q&A&C – Questions and Answers and Comments are expected and welcomed.
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