How to Convert Your Basement into a Bedroom
Some extra space is exactly what most people will need at a certain point in their life. Whether you want to create a room for your kids or you need a new guest room in your house, having one more bedroom is always helpful. Unfortunately, adding another room to your home can be rather expensive. However, we have a more budget-friendly idea. You could convert your basement into a bedroom. This is one part of your home with probably the most unused space. If you play it smart, you can make the most of that space and turn it into something useful. And with our tips, the process will be much more straightforward.
Make a good plan
Having a good plan is the key to every successful project. When it comes to renovations, this part is essential. It would be best if you made a clear picture of what exactly you want to create. Here are some points to consider:
make a simple sketch of the bedroom
measure the basement space
create a list of things you'll need for the project
calculate the expenses
Moreover, you should also take out all the things from your basement and ensure they are correctly stored. Consider renting storage during renovation so you'll have enough space to work in. There you can keep all your belongings till the end of the renovation. On the other hand, you can use this opportunity to declutter and get rid of your excess possessions. By all means, avoid simply moving the clutter from your basement to the other rooms in your house.
The initial preparations when you want to convert your basement into a bedroom
The first step you should take is to adjust the basement space to suit the bedroom needs. These preparations should include the initial installation and waterproof checking. Inspect the existing wiring, and make sure they are safe enough. If you notice that something is wrong, consult a professional and solve the problem.
Then, check the waterproofing. Water can be a massive problem in the basement area. There might also be some rot and mold on the floor and walls. If left untreated, the mold will only continue to spread and could make living in the basement dangerous. There is also the problem of little cracks and gaps in the walls where water can easily get into the room. If you do not deal with them on time, you may be in trouble later.
Windows and ventilation
Proper ventilation is another crucial segment in converting your basement into a bedroom. An appropriate ventilation system ensures good airflow, thus keeping your new bedroom fresh, and helps you with the fumes from heaters or other similar devices.
On the other hand, there comes the question of windows. Turning a basement into a living space such as a bedroom requires appropriate windows or some form of ventilation. The best possible option, in this case, would be installing the so-called egress windows. Those specific kinds of windows are the ideal solution for the basement area since they both ensure enough natural light and are a perfect escape solution in emergencies.
Ceiling and floors
In most houses, basement ceilings are not completely finished. That means that plumbing and wiring are probably pretty visible. That's not only an aesthetic problem but can sometimes be dangerous. You can never know what may happen if you are directly exposed to the installations, especially where you sleep; therefore, it's a question of your safety. In this situation, getting a drop ceiling will be the best option. It will solve all the aesthetic issues and can be easily removed if you need to fix some breaks or potential damages.
Then, you come to the point of choosing the appropriate flooring option for your new room. Bare concrete is the usual basement flooring. However, that is not something you would like to have in your bedroom. Thus, it would be best if you thought about covering the concrete with something. Tiles and vinyl are great solutions here. They are easy to maintain and will be practical if, by some chance, water gets on the floor. On the other hand, if you prefer laminates and carpets, they can also serve. Everything that can be easily installed and maintained will work.
About the walls
Another vital part of turning your basement into a bedroom is dealing with the walls. Doing some painting will be the cheapest option. However, sometimes you'll need more than that to make it feel livable and cozy.
Installing drywall is one of the things you can do. It is a cheap solution, and it also provides good soundproofing.
Wall panels and foam boards are yet another. They are great for getting extra insulation and moisture protection. On the other hand, those are more durable materials and are pretty easy to install.
The lighting
Proper lighting is a must. That is especially true for the basement areas since they can be pretty dark. Thus, it is required to have a better lighting system. However, it would help if you did not overdo it with hanging lights from your ceiling. In the renovation process, you have already made your ceiling low. If you hang things on it, it may seem even lower. That's why the most innovative options for this kind of room would be overhead lights, recessed lighting, or some string lights.
Buying furniture
Finally, when all the rough work is done, you have one more step to complete before you move into your new bedroom- the furnishing. If at that point you need some relocation services, allseasonmovers.com is where you will be able to find everything. Depending on how big the space is, you can choose from huge to medium beds, cabinets, and night tables. However, if your new room is not too big, installing a wall-bed-bookcase combo is a perfect choice. With a drop-down bed, you will save a lot of space in your bedroom and won't lack storage space.
We hope we have helped you get some ideas on what you can do with your basement. With our tips on how to convert your basement into a bedroom, you'll definitely manage to make your plans come true.