Adding extra square footage to your home will always increase its value, but what you do with that space makes all the difference in adding value to your lifestyle. Remodeling a basement gives you the room to hang out as a family or incorporate home spaces that do not fit your current layout.
Expanding downwards utilizes an existing structure, transforming it into the functional area your home is currently lacking. Most homeowners want a space for exercise and family entertainment.
But is the investment worth the work, and how can you achieve the best exercise and family space of your dreams?
Benefits of a Basement Renovation
Finishing your basement gives you a variety of options when expanding your home and can add immense benefits.
- Renovating your space increases your home’s square footage and value.
- Properly finishing and insulating your basement can increase the overall efficiency of your home.
- You can seclude specific rooms for privacy, including a home gym, an office, kids’ play area, or mother-in-law suite.
- Insulating a basement provides ample room for additional storage space.
- Basements are versatile areas that can be transformed into a wide variety of spaces to suit your family’s needs.
Common, Valuable Basement Renovations
Many homeowners desire a multi-functional space from their basement. And some of the most common uses for a transformed basement are a family entertainment area or a home gym.
The investment in a basement should provide added value to your family life. Creating a space for kids to hang out, the family to lounge and watch movies, or members of the family to get in a workout can help achieve this.
A home gym is another great multi-family space— when it is properly designed. While this is a common renovation, let’s see how you can achieve a tailored exercise space.
For more basement renovation ideas, check out these other multi-purpose basement renovations.
Considerations for Your Basement Gym Space
Having a home gym is a luxury, even if your room is small in size. A personal gym space is:
- More hygienic—you don’t have to share your equipment with others and can keep everything as sanitized as you desire.
- Easy to access—you don’t have to spend time traveling to and from a different location.
- Personalized—you can tailor your gym space to your specific needs.
Being consistent and showing up for your workouts can be difficult. But having your workout space built into your home can make that easier. Still, you’ll want to create an environment that inspires and motivates you while making your workouts easy and effective.
Here are a few considerations for creating the perfect at-home gym.
Equipment Needs
The equipment you choose for your gym space is unique to your specific workout regimen and the amount of space you have to dedicate to your gym. For smaller areas, consider multipurpose exercise machines. For larger spaces, section off areas. Create separate spaces for aerobics, weights, or bodyweight training.
Lighting
A bright space is not only more inviting, but it can actually increase your mood and productivity and is, therefore, an important part of your gym’s atmosphere. Depending on where in your basement your gym will be, windows add energizing natural light. If windows are not a viable option, consider installing recessed can lighting.
The Right Atmosphere
Having the right energy for a workout can depend on the mood of your workout space. Pick paint colors that invigorate you. Choose flooring options that are light and airy, to keep the room from feeling heavy. And create a cohesive design that is simple but beautiful. Don’t overwhelm your eyes with too many colors or decorations. Keep the space simple and focused on your workouts.
Flooring
Having a soft surface to work out on can reduce the impact on your joints. And it won’t be as easily damaged by weights or equipment. All-over rubber flooring is an ideal option. Rubber mats on a carpeted floor is another great, low-impact choice for homeowners who are not fans of all mat floors. Avoid delicate tile flooring, which can easily be chipped by heavy equipment.
Electronics/Appliances
Install appliances that will motivate you and make your workout process more rewarding. If you love watching TV during your exercise sessions, mount an adjustable TV you can face toward each workout section of the room. Install a minifridge for instant cold beverages. Or install a speaker and a Bluetooth sound system if music pushes you to give your best.
Storage
It’s hard to work out in a cluttered space. Your workout equipment and accessories will need adequate storage. Incorporate cabinets or shelving for equipment, wall hooks for towels or smaller, easy-to-access equipment like jump ropes or resistance bands, weight racks for free weights, baskets for dirty towels, bins for cleaning supplies, and more.
The Difference of a Professional Contractor
While your basement is a separate area of your home, it still needs to flow and fit with your existing structure and also integrate the missing pieces of your home. Having a professional contractor who can both design and construct your basement remodel will result in the greatest transformation possible.
A skilled design-build contractor team can:
- Create a more cohesive basement design
- Incorporate form and function to create the basement of your dreams
- Save you time and money in the renovation process
- Ensure your space is properly constructed and integrated with your home.
Lakeside Renovation & Design’s team of in-house designers works directly with our expert craftsmen to achieve the space you’ve always wanted. To get an idea of how our team can transform your current basement, see our basement gallery.
