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Next Luxury • Home Design • 74 Small Basement Ideas

74 Small Basement Ideas

74 Small Basement Ideas

  • by — Kari Apted

Basement Ideas

Embarking on a journey to transform your small basement space into a haven of creativity and functionality? Look no further—we’ve curated a treasure trove of ingenious small basement ideas to spark your imagination and make the most of every square foot. Unleash the potential of this often-overlooked area beneath your home, and turn it into a space that suits your lifestyle and needs.

Small basement ideas are as diverse as they come, offering you the opportunity to craft a space that aligns with your unique vision. From cozy hideaways to multifunctional hubs, this article will guide you through a world of possibilities. Discover clever storage solutions, innovative design tricks, and ingenious layouts that will help you maximize your basement’s potential.

Whether you’re yearning for a stylish home office, an intimate entertainment zone, or a guest retreat, we’ve got you covered. Say goodbye to the notion that small spaces can’t be stylish or functional. Our small basement ideas will empower you to create a space that not only looks great but also caters to your specific lifestyle and desires. Dive into the world of small basement transformations, and let your creative juices flow.

See more about - 70 Basement Floor Ideas

Table of Contents

  • 1. Elevate Your Basement With a Stylish Bar
  • 2. Functional and Chic Bathroom Basement Ideas
  • 3. Create a Cozy Bedroom Retreat
  • 4. Fun and Functional DIY Small Basement Ideas
  • 5. Basement Cooking Spaces With Character
  • 6. Transform Your Basement Into a Comfortable Living Room
  • 7. Embrace Modern Design Aesthetics
  • 8. Tips for a Successful Basement Remodel
  • 9. Bringing Rustic Character to Your Basement Space
  • Small Basement FAQs

    1. Elevate Your Basement With a Stylish Bar

    A great basement bar doesn’t require much floor space. In fact, one wall or corner in a finished basement family room is enough to create a wet bar that will quickly become everyone’s favorite gathering spot.

    If beer is your thing, add a countertop beer tap. If you love wine, add a small wine cellar cabinet or wine cooler to your bar or man cave.

    Let your basement bar ideas express your personality. Create a replica of a classic British pub or go for a retro bar theme. Add lighting to shelving to enhance that classic bar ambiance when night falls.

    Antique neon signs are a great way to add personality and perhaps traveling memories to your basement bar decor.

    small basement bar with vinyl wood flooring
    abby_coyne/Instagram
    luxury gray basement bar with sofas and tv screens
    ashley_therealtor/Instagram
    wood bar small basement ideas
    billsbars/Instagram
    small basement sports bar with pool table
    bobhannaford/Instagram
    simple basement bar with white tile backsplash
    clarksbuildingllc/Instagram
    small basement bar with rope swing seating
    dtrdng86/Instagram
    unique basement bar with putting green
    homesbypinnacleinc/Instagram
    small basement bar with carpet floor
    jenpongodebo/Instagram

    2. Functional and Chic Bathroom Basement Ideas

    No matter what you plan to do with the rest of your small basement space, you should try to leave enough square footage for a bathroom.

    Even if it’s just a half bath, everyone will appreciate not having to climb the basement stairs to use the facilities. A toilet and a small pedestal sink are sufficient for a small basement space.

    If you have enough room in the basement bathroom, consider relocating your washer and dryer there.

    You may be able to install a laundry chute from the floor above to avoid lugging heavy baskets down the basement stairs.

    Another bonus to a basement laundry room: the mess is out of sight when company comes. Don’t forget to include adequate storage space for your cleaning materials.

    luxury bathroom small basement
    basementbuilderuk/Instagram
    rustic basement bathroom with sliding barn door
    k.b.woodgraindesigns/Instagram
    modern basement bathroom with white tile wall
    michellesatra/Instagram
    green wall basement powder room
    siblanchard/Instagram
    white shiplap rustic powder room
    unkept.home_/Instagram

    3. Create a Cozy Bedroom Retreat

    Often, a family first considers remodeling an unfinished basement when their teenager grows tired of sharing a bedroom with a younger sibling.

    Adding an additional bedroom is a great way to use available basement space, whether it’s for a teen, an older relative, or overnight guests.

    Before investing in a new basement bedroom, learn how many bedroom windows and exits are required by your local building codes.

    Basement bedroom ideas for truly tiny spaces include creating a studio basement apartment space with a sleeping alcove.

    A fold-up Murphy bed or built-in stacked bunks are other good bed alternatives for a small basement bedroom.

    vintage basement bedroom with string lighting
    _uptownshortie/Instagram
    rustic basement bedroom
    behinddoorsdecor/Instagram
    white brick wall small basement bedroom
    interiorsbyorlee/Instagram
    white shiplap wall bedroom with black bed frame
    jennysellschicago/Instagram
    small black bedroom with american flag wall art and black cast iron bed
    love_brookelyn/Instagram
    minimalist basement bedroom with platform bed
    mbdesignconcepts/Instagram
    small vintage basement bedroom
    my_chevychase__home/Instagram
    simple white basement bedroom with sliding doors
    mylittleshop_kingston/Instagram
    small basement bedroom with wood panel accent wall
    robinestateny/Instagram
    blue accent wall small bedroom with under bed storage
    shortyestperspective/Instagram

    See more about - 65 Basement Bedroom Ideas

    4. Fun and Functional DIY Small Basement Ideas

    If you have excellent DIY skills, basic basement remodel tasks may not seem daunting. Installing insulation, framing walls, creating a drop ceiling, and finishing the basement floor may all seem easy to you.

    Keep in mind that even a highly-skilled DIYer will likely need to hire a professional to hang drywall and install plumbing and electric fixtures.

    One of the easier DIY basement ideas is to create a home gym. Tailor your workout room to meet your specific interests.

    A mirrored wall visually doubles the size of a small basement and allows you to perfect your form. A hardwood floor topped with rubber mats makes a great yoga surface and helps muffle noise.

    diy small basement bedroom
    dimplesonmywhat/Instagram
    pattern wallpaper small basement bathroom
    ivyco.homes_/Instagram
    small basement living room with bench seating and sofa
    jlbernetzke/Instagram
    white wall basement bedroom with black bed frame
    katie_gelsheimer_home/Instagram
    small minimalist powder room
    making_a_house_home/Instagram
    vintage basement bathroom with green door
    updatemycape/Instagram
    homemade basement bar
    veronikashomeandthings/Instagram

    5. Basement Cooking Spaces With Character

    A basement kitchen is a great addition to the home, especially if it’s part of a teen, in-law, or guest suite.

    If space permits, try to replicate as many full-size elements and appliances as will fit. You will appreciate extra fridge storage space or a backup oven when the holidays come.

    Even the smallest man cave probably has room for a basement kitchenette. A small sink, microwave oven, and under-counter fridge or wine cooler are all you need to create a tiny, functional basement kitchen.

    If you must add an egress window to meet building codes, the basement kitchen is a great location for it. Make sure the basement window opens for air circulation when needed.

    kitchen small basement ideas
    displayinglife/Instagram
    modern basement kitchen with wall wine racks
    greenleafelectricalgroup/Instagram
    green vintage kitchen with white tile backsplash
    ldzstudios/Instagram
    small retro corner kitchen
    thorncreekfarmhouse/Instagram

    6. Transform Your Basement Into a Comfortable Living Room

    Adding a second living room is an excellent way to make use of your small basement space. Make the basement addition a casual family room where the kids and teens can watch movies while the adults relax upstairs. Because most basements have few windows, they are an ideal dark space to create a movie theater vibe.

    Comfortable recliners or a large sectional sofa provide comfortable seating. Add dimmable light fixtures and a wet bar for making drinks and snacks.

    Acoustic wall and ceiling tiles and a surround sound system are other essential elements for creating a theater-like basement living room.

    small basement living room
    alemaldonadodiseno/Instagram
    small simple basement living room with brown sofa and vinyl player
    greenrhinodesign/Instagram
    simple basement living room with gray sofa
    ilstaging/Instagram
    rustic basement living room with mustard sofa
    joyeverafter/Instagram
    white basement living room with gray sofa
    kymacy/Instagram
    small basement living room with white sofa
    lisafitzdesign/Instagram
    small basement living room
    meant_to_bee_home/Instagram
    simple basement living space with exposed concrete walls and floors
    mlimauro83/Instagram
    rustic basement living room with exposed ceiling wood beams
    restored.adored/Instagram
    small basement living room with exposed ceiling
    trendymama519/Instagram
    small basement living room with floral and cockatoo wallpaper
    vfynes/Instagram
    green accent wall in small basement living room with gray sofa
    villalove45/Instagram

    See more about - 56 Basement Bar Ideas

    7. Embrace Modern Design Aesthetics

    If your unfinished lower story is a walkout basement, this “glass wall” of windows is a perfect modern design element.

    Keep the windows the focal point of the room by using a simple color palette, furniture with clean lines, and glass or metal surfaces.

    Modern flooring options include vinyl plank flooring—which looks like hardwood but is more durable and less expensive.

    If your modern basement has a moisture problem, you can buy tile flooring that looks like hardwood. Of course, tile is a classic modern flooring choice and a creative pattern can add a lot of flair to your small basement ideas.

    modern shower with glass door
    camelle_veloso_design/Instagram
    small modern basement bathroom
    jen_noble_home/Instagram
    modern small basement bathroom
    laurieyappdesign/Instagram
    modern small basement bathroom with mosaic tile shower
    schwartzandkointeriordesign/Instagram
    modern luxury vintage bedroom with ceiling fan
    thestoreytellersindia/Instagram
    modern basement living room with gray armchairs and electric fireplace
    wildenorthinteriors/Instagram

    8. Tips for a Successful Basement Remodel

    A small basement can be a great location for a studio apartment. Instead of a full-size kitchen, create a kitchenette with cabinets, a wet bar sink, a microwave, and a dorm refrigerator.

    A half basement wall can separate living and sleeping areas, or shop for dual-purpose furniture. A futon, day bed, or Murphy bed are all good choices for a finished basement studio apartment.

    If toy clutter is getting to you, one of the best small basement ideas is converting the space into a playroom.

    Incorporate built-in basement storage ideas and fun features, such as a slide and climbing wall. Use durable flooring, such as vinyl or laminate, instead of hard concrete or tile under slides or climbing zones.

    remodel small basement bathroom
    915_construction/Instagram
    remodel small basement living space with carpet and gray sofa
    ashleymdesigns/Instagram
    vintage remodel basement bedroom with green accent wall
    emcostello/Instagram
    remodel small country basement
    floralandpearls/Instagram
    small remodel basement with double bed and chest
    greenrhinodesign/Instagram
    brick wall backsplash with gray cabinets
    interiorsbysheila/Instagram
    deer wall art in living room with brown sofa
    jdesigns.interiors/Instagram
    large gray tile shower in remodelled bathroom
    kc_bathroomremodeling/Instagram
    small white living room with gray sofa and wall mounted tv
    laurieyappdesign/Instagram
    remodelled basement kitchen with pendant lighting
    manuelandson/Instagram
    remodel small basement bedroom
    novelinteriors/Instagram
    small basement living room with sofa and wood coffee table
    olive.branch.homes_/Instagram
    remodel small basement bedroom with floral wallpaper with sputnik chandelier
    vfynes/Instagram

    9. Bringing Rustic Character to Your Basement Space

    Your unfinished basement ideas may be inspired by rustic or industrial design elements. If so, leave your basement ceiling beams and ductwork exposed, perhaps painting it all black to fade into the background. Use sliding barn doors instead of traditional doors wherever possible.

    Natural masonry finishes are perfect for creating a rustic vibe in any type of basement room.

    Brick walls look equally amazing in a basement kitchen or man cave. Stacked stone, painted concrete, or a mixture of textures are an inviting element of rustic basement room design.

    rustic white small basement bedroom
    ashleykix/Instagram
    rustic small basement with gray carpet
    citytofarmfam/Instagram
    rustic small basement living room with stuffed bear wall art
    e.lynndesign/Instagram
    rustic small basement bedroom
    fostersmodernfarmhouse/Instagram
    rustic small basement bathroom with wood vanity cabinet
    krisbashenow/Instagram
    rustic small basement bedroom with wood headboard bed
    livinginharmony.by_.rachel/Instagram
    blue shiplap wall in rustic bedroom with vintage white bed frame
    myhomemyadventure/Instagram
    rustic small basement boys bedroom with coffered walls
    wheremylovegrows/Instagram
    rustic masculine small basement living with brown leather sofas
    nikitajain2503/Instagram

    See more about - 71 Basement Wall Ideas

    Small Basement FAQs

    What can you do with a small basement?

    A small basement can be remodeled into any kind of room you need. Add another living room or an extra bedroom. A home gym or a playroom are fun small basement ideas that will help you stay fit.

    How much does it cost to finish a 1,000-square-foot basement?

    The cost involved in creating a finished basement will vary according to your location and the materials used. If you must hire a professional for your basement remodeling, expect to pay around $18,000. If you can DIY, plan to spend around $10,000 on a 1,000-square-foot basement remodel.

    Will my property taxes go up if I finish my basement?

    Yes. Significant property improvements increase the property’s value, thus increasing its assessed value at tax time. The upside? A basement remodel, new garage, or other home additions will increase your profit when it comes time to sell your home.

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    Kari Apted

    Writer

    Kari Apted is an Atlanta-based freelance writer who has been educating and entertaining readers for over 15 years. She has been writing for Next Luxury’s Home Design channel since March 2020.

    Kari Apted is an Atlanta-based freelance writer who has been educating and entertaining readers for over 15 years. She has been writing for Next Luxury’s Home Design channel since March 2020.

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