Generations are sharing living quarters these days to thwart the high cost of moving to a larger residence, so it makes sense to make the most out of the space you currently have. Utilizing the lower level or your home will not only raise the home's value but will extend the living space to make way for tenants or additional family members.
This lovely basement suite shows just how stylish lower-level living can be. A contained suite can be a lovely home for aging parents, adult children or even renters. It can be well worth the cost of having your basement professionally finished to meet your family's specific needs and to ensure the new living quarters are up to code.
Aside from that, decorating a space like this is an easy prospect. Depending upon the layout, there can be a lot of options available.
In our feature photo (courtesy of Moen) the windows, which are clearly basement windows, are left bare to allow maximum light permeation. To ensure privacy, though, window treatments are a good idea. To stave off the 'basement' feeling, consider using full-length draperies that are wider than the window to provide an upper-level feeling when the drapes are drawn.
This space has been designed with an open-concept layout, which is fantastic in smaller spaces. The handsome kitchen is a focal point that is well-appointed. The dark cabinetry, versus white, feels like furniture and blends well into the rest of the open-concept space. The breakfast bar serves as a dining area, avoiding the need for a formal dining room, which is a great use of space. The pendant lighting and bar stools help define the eating area without closing it off from the rest of the room. Open shelving on the side of the breakfast bar serves a dual purpose of providing storage and display. The brushed finish of the appliances and cabinet hardware (versus shiny stainless steel) are understated and blend beautifully with the dark cabinets and wood flooring. The warm granite countertop is perfect for this scenario; again understated and elegant.
The furniture in this suite is warm and inviting in shades of camel and tan upholstery. Using a dark accent table helps tie this part of the room with the kitchen cabinetry. The glass-topped coffee table is a good choice over a solid piece that may look dark and heavy. The additional shelf on the coffee table again provides the dual purpose of storage and display, which is important in small living quarters. The textural area rug helps define the seating area and separates it from the kitchen. Wooden flooring is warm, both visually and literally, which is helpful in a lower-level suite. No need for cold, ceramic tiles in this kitchen. Keeping all the flooring the same visually expands the entire space.
Opting for warm, white paint for the walls and ceiling helps keep the space open and airy. With all of the dark elements, it is best to have a lighter backdrop to reflect light and balance the dark elements.
Even if you don't need a self-contained suite, your basement could be used for a multitude of things. A media/games room, where the family can congregate is a good option to lessen the burden on the upper floors. Along with the family space, you could add in a much-needed home office or additional bedroom. For the creative souls, a hobby or craft room might be better moved from the dining room table upstairs to its own dedicated space in the basement. Additional storage is always needed for seasonal items and clothing. An additional bathroom might be of benefit as well. There are so many options available to help ease the burden of overcrowding in the rest of the house. Take stock of the problem areas in your home to make the best use of this extra space.
If you're not handy with construction, get a professional to help you with the design so your specific needs will be met. The value of your home will increase both monetarily and personally for you and your family.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
