In many homes, the basement is an under-used, unfinished space. You may store out-of-season clothing or holiday decor downstairs but otherwise, it doesn’t get much use. Improve the space and boost your property value with these ideas to upgrade your basement.

Create Extra Living Area to Upgrade Your Basement

Clean the basement, install flooring, and brighten up the walls with a coat of paint. These easy upgrades lay the foundation for many options to complete the space.

Family Room

Create a cozy family room by adding a throw rug, large couch, and television. Or splurge on the project and include some recliners, recessed lighting, and a large projector screen to create your own movie theater. Alternatively, if you have children, you might turn the basement into a playroom so they have their own space downstairs away from the main floor.

Design a Bar and Game Room

The basement is an ideal place to build your own bar. Kick back, relax, and make drinks for your friends and neighbors. Vinyl plank flooring can mimic hardwood but is more water-resistant. If you have the budget, you might choose to install a tile floor. A super easy update is simply staining the concrete floor and adding some throw rugs for warmth. Purchase barstools and a sound system and you’re ready to entertain in your upgraded basement.

Once the essentials are in place, liven the space up with classic bar games like a pool table, dartboards, or foosball table. You might add a jukebox with a selection of your favorite songs. Basement upgrades like this will make your home a popular hangout for your family and friends.

Upgrade Your Basement with a Home Gym

Basement improvements can be practical, too. You might not have a lot of time to drive across town to the gym. Why not build your own home gym downstairs? Rubber flooring or self-adhesive carpet tiles are great options for a workout space. Add a weight bench, rowing machine, and a few yoga mats and you’ll easily have a functional workout room that you can add to over time.

If you have more money to spend on the project, install large mirrors on the wall and invest in a quality sound system so you can enjoy music while working out.

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