About Space Builders featured in House & Home Magazine

Basement Finale: The Last Act - Finishing Touches

Featured in House & Home Magazine
November/December 2008
By Lindsey Getz

When it comes to the final product, the add-ons available for your newly finished basement run the gamut. Homeowners can customize their basement, making it truly one-of-a-kind. By adding details with the right lighting, unique décor and accessories that define specialty areas, such as playrooms, theater rooms or gyms, arriving at this final phase is the fun part.

When completing a basement, homeowners should consider what design options, materials and colors look best in their new space, says Linda Sinisi, designer, About Space Builders. “A finished basement can carry the same theme as the rest of the house, or it can make an entirely new style statement!”

Your new basement can serve almost any purpose—and almost anything you dream up, the experts can build. “It all comes down to what the customer wants, and what they’ll be using the space for,” says Allyn Harth, CEO, Harth Builders. “One basement we completed had a separate bar area, full bath, TV area, office, an exercise room that included mirrors and a ballet bar, and even a complete home theater set-up with a platform for the theater seats. This is an example of the high-end but homeowners have the option to add any of these types of details.”

ADDING AMBIANCE

One of the easiest ways to create a special look in your finished basement is to select the right lighting. Lighting can make a big difference in any room, and the basement is no exception. One of the most popular options is overhead recessed lighting on a dimmer.

“We definitely do a lot of recessed lighting,” says Brian Zeldes, owner, BKZ Contractors, Inc. “We also do specialty lighting, depending on the type of area, such as a media room. Cove lighting and controlled lighting, usually on a dimmer switch, can add ambiance to the space.”

Brad Boucher, owner of Spacements, Inc., agrees: “Accent or specialty lighting is always a nice addition to set off theater areas, bars, or other special areas of the basement. Unique lighting can also serve to separate or highlight a bar or a piece of artwork. “This can be achieved with options, such as wall sconces or pendant lights. In-cabinet lighting for bar areas is also a nice touch,” Boucher adds.

Another way to create a special effect in your basement is to add a fireplace, one of the latest trends in finished basements. It’s not only a great source of heat, but is also aesthetically pleasing, says Karl Claus, owner, The Woodburners. The smartest choice for your basement? A gas fireplace. Wood-burning fireplaces can be installed, but because of ventilation issues and other safety concerns, gas is a better choice.

“It’s also the most convenient,” says Claus, who is installing a gas fireplace in his own newly finished basement, which will be the space’s only heat source. “You can put it on a thermostat or a switch and it
becomes instantaneous. And when you’re done using it, you can just shut it right off.”

If you don’t install a fireplace, you still may need a supplemental heat source, says Harth. “The basement temperature is generally not comfortable for spending extended time down there during the colder months,” he explains. “Supplemental heat can be supplied with electric baseboard or perhaps even a small heat pump or gas furnace. You generally don’t need extra cooling in the summer, but it’s likely you’ll need additional heat for the winter.”

ADDITIONAL ACCENTS

When it comes to your ceiling, you don’t have to settle for something standard. Why not opt for a ceiling that will add character to your space? Armstrong’s Metallaire decorative metal ceiling tiles are a great choice for achieving a unique, sophisticated ceiling treatment for your new basement. The tiles add texture and come in a choice of 12 patterns. The finished product can be anything from casual and cozy to formal and luxurious—depending on your personal taste and style. This line allows you to mix and match patterns and finishes to create a unique look or even paint the Metallaire white-finished tiles to match your décor.

Metallaire lay-in panels come in 2 feet by 2 feet sizes and the company offers a color-coordinating grid. They can be suspended from the floor joists similar to a traditional suspended ceiling. The 2 by 2 panels still allow for access to any piping or systems above. You can get a high-end look with plenty of character and still receive the benefits of the suspended ceiling. Another plus? Metal naturally prevents odor- and stain-causing mold and mildew.

Armstrong’s Woodhaven product line is also popular with customers. Armstrong has enhanced the application of this line and now recommends two finishes specifically for wainscoting and backsplashes. Both Painted White and Beadboard open up new possibilities for room design, which can be further expanded by custom painting these planks to suit any décor.

“The wall application is a natural extension of WoodHaven, and we designed the product in response to consumer interest in a cost-effective plank and beadboard texture for walls,” says Rich Wiley, associate marketing manager, Armstrong Residential Ceilings. “Our WoodHaven backsplash and wainscoting provide an affordable update.”

BATH OPTIONS

The addition of a bathroom to your basement is another popular trend. If you plan on spending a lot of time in your newly finished space, or want to entertain guests, it makes sense to have at least a powder room installed.

“Most people want a basic powder room, but there are homeowners who want a full bath,” says Harth. “If the homeowners have a walk-out basement and a pool outside, they often like having a shower installed in their basement so people can come right in and shower off.”

There is no reason to feel limited in what you can do with a basement bathroom. You can have all the amenities you would include in an upstairs bathroom. Boucher says that some of his clients even want more than just a basic shower.

“Turning a standard stall shower into a steam shower can be good for resale value, and also add a nice luxury for the homeowners, especially if they have added a gym to their basement,” he says.

No matter which details you choose for your newly finished basement, adding the right accents to reflect your personality and style will give your new space character. Remember to splurge on complementary decorative and/or themed furniture and accessories, like pictures, artwork and novelty display items…and have a blast choosing them!