When renovating your home, many people decide to convert their basement into a home theater. The open space and lack of windows make for the optimal viewing experience. While creating a home theater may seem like an overwhelming task, there are really only a few items that you need to purchase to help make your dream a reality.
First and foremost you’re going to need a TV. LCD and plasma TVs are certainly the most popular choice due to their space saving nature and exceptional picture quality. Once you’ve chosen the perfect TV, then you’re going to have to decide how you want to present it.
TV wall mounts are a popular choice, however most basements have cement walls which can make for a difficult and costly installation. In most cases a TV stand is a more practical choice. The key is to find a stand that matches the décor of your room, while still offering the support and storage capabilities you need. Some TV stands come with component shelves for your DVD player, cable box, and other AV equipment. If your TV stand does not offer these features, often times you can add shelves and other options as they become necessary.
Choosing the right home theater seating is also an important decision. In many cases a couch or loveseat will suffice, but if you are intent on enjoying the genuine theater experience, than you may want to consider installing authentic home theater seating. These seats are similar to those found in movie theaters, but are obviously much more comfortable and often times made of quality leather.
Adding surround sound speakers is yet another great way to add depth to your new home theater. Speakers can be placed strategically around the room to offer the ultimate stereo sound. This is particularly enjoyable when watching action movies, where explosions are plentiful.
By adding these simple items to your renovated basement, you can help convert a once dark and dreary storage room into a wonderful escape from everyday life. From movies, to music, to video games, you can be the envy of your friends with the best home theater set up in the neighborhood.
Tips for Turning Your Basement into a Home Theater
REPLACEMENT BASEMENT WINDOWS IDEAS
Believe it or not, windows are a very important part of a basement because that is where all the natural light comes from and most basements don't have much of it. Also, basement windows provide some ventilation.
If the windows in your basement look old and dirty and are on their last legs, you should be looking for replacement basement windows. Vinyl windows can be put in to replace your old ones and not only will they look great, but they will perform better as well. Vinyl basement windows usually have two panes of glass, are air tight, and don't need any paint. They are built for that damp, dirty area clost to the ground where basement windows usually are.
Modern basement replacement windows are also energy efficient as well as rot and mildew resistant. They can be made from materials other than vinyl but those are less popular. Putting replacement basement windows on your home will help protect it from damage and decay at the lowest part of the house which is the basement. Any basement that is to be used for anything like a playroom, theatre, game room, bar, or any other cool basement ideas, need new replacement windows to complete the job.
BASEMENT FLOORING IDEAS
HOW TO GET A CHEAP NINTENDO WII FOR YOUR BASEMENT GAME ROOM
Any basement game room needs a big screen TV and a Nintendo Wii that the whole family can play. Any cool finished basement ideas will include a Wii game system. In the basement you will be able to arrange the furniture so there will be lots of room for all the jumping around and swinging you will do.
I WILL SHOW YOU STEP BY STEP HOW TO GET A REALLY CHEAP WII! IN MANY CASES YOU WILL BE ABLE TO GET IT FOR ALMOST NOTHING. Please note that you will have to be patient and not expect to get it overnight but you WILL be able to get cheap Nintendo Wii if you do what I lay out for you.
HOW TO GET A REALLY CHEAP NINTENDO WII
1) You will be working with freebie websites also known as “incentivized freebie websites” to get your cheap Nintendo Wii. The best way to learn how to do this is covered in the free program Project Payday. Incentivized freebie websites are all over the Internet now and they are not scams. Lots of people get free XBoxes, Ipods, Playstations, XBoxes, and PayPal cash from these sites. All you have to do is learn the system and learn how to do it.
SUPER CHEAP WII'S - GETTING STARTED
2) Incentivized freebie websites are great because you can earn lots of neat things and it is were you will get your cheap Wii. To learn the ropes on how to do it your first step should be to sign up for the free Project Payday program. Once you give them your email you will be taken to a screen that will tell you how to get the program for free.
It is important that you learn what is going on with these freebie websites and Project Payday will walk you through it. There is a forum you will be able to join with lots more tutorials which you should read until you get the hang of it. Once you learn the system you will probably get quite excited as you realize that not only can you get your Nintendo Wii cheap, but you can earn other things cheap as well.
VERY CHEAP WII - THE NEXT STEP
3) You will start out by doing offers for other people who will pay you with PayPal cash. Since you want to get a super cheap Wii, you will want to make sure you pick a freebie site that offers the Nintendo Wii. This is important as not all freebie websites have the same prizes/offers. Some of these sites only offer cash, some only offer XBoxes, some only offer Playstations etc. So once you have gotten started with Project Payday you will want to find the best freebie site that will let you get your Nintendo Wii cheap. You can use the forum to easily find this information. You will then do an offer or two from someone you find on the Project Payday forum site.
EARNING YOUR SUPER CHEAP WII
4) Once you have done an offer or two for other people, you will then need to get several others to do an offer for you. This is where you can get your friends involved and together you can do offers and all of you can get your very cheap Nintendo Wii's. If you don’t have any friends that is no problem as you can get others from the Project Payday forum to do offers for you. This is the whole purpose of the Project Payday system and the forum: to put people in contact with each other so they can help each other out. This is when you can start getting more and more offers done for you and you can make much more than just your really cheap Wii. Some people make over $2,000 a month with these incentivized freebie websites.
CHEAP NINTENDO WII- THE FINAL ANALYSIS
5) As I stated above, some people are making a very nice monthly income from using Project Payday and incentivized freebie websites. It is NOT a scam and once you learn how to do it and how it all works, you may become addicted to making money with it.
This is how I have gotten my Apple iPod cheap, my Nintendo Wii cheap, and I continue to do it to get PayPal cash. Once you get the first person to do an offer for you, it will become apparent that this really does work. Then when you get your first PayPal cash payment or earn your very cheap Nintendo Wii, you will get excited as you realize you can keep doing this over and over again.
If you want a more detailed explanation incentivized freebie websites, please see this 3 part Project Payday review.
BASEMENT WINDOWS IDEAS
Are your basement windows cloudy and worn with frames that you hope no one notices or compares to the rest of your attractive, stylish home? Basement windows are the same as any other window, there's just less wall space to accomodate standard sizes like you generally see throughout your home.
Basements are considered to be dark and gloomy and basement windows are perhaps the most neglected area in a finished basement. Basement windows are not often thought about when someone thinks about home improvement. Your home will look more complete as your attention to detail stands out with the installation of nice looking windows in your basement.
First off, it is important that basement windows keep water out so they must remain in good repair and seal tightly when closed. If you currently have leaks or drafts in your windows, it is time to consider purchasing vinyl basement windows. Old drafty windows can account for as much as 25 percent of your monthly heating bill, so it's very important to select windows with high-energy efficiency. Especially for poorly done basement windows, water can easily seep right through in and cause a disaster.
Generally you will get a lower price if you replace all of your basement windows at once. Vinyl basement windows are a great investment in your home that will pay off in many ways over time. Vinyl basement windows are an ideal choice for your lower level windows, as they are more frequently exposed to moisture than upper level windows. Installing vinyl basement windows improves the look of your home and its energy efficiency.
The purpose of basement windows is to make your basement a brighter, more friendly environment and the amount of natural light you get from them can influence the basement color ideas you might have. One of the best things about double-paned vinyl basement windows is how energy-efficient they are. Old and drafty basement windows waste a lot of energy through gaps and open sections. Today, basement windows come in a wide variety of types and styles so you can choose the right one for your interior design. Like other windows in the home, basement windows can be found in a variety of materials including aluminum, wood and vinyl.
The right time to replace your basement windows is before you finish the basement. Look for windows that have heavy duty frames, preferably vinyl for durability in all types of climates and ease of cleaning. While you would always lock the windows from the inside, you might also consider glass block windows or cross bracing that would prevent egress from the outside. If your house was built to code, it will be easy to find standardized replacement windows for your basement. To prevent higher heating bills, it is important that the windows seals have additional forms of insulation to hold in heat. If money is not a factor consider some nice stained glass windows, beveled glass windows, leaded glass windows or windows with brass designs.
BASEMENT WATERPROOFING IDEAS
If you have any musty air in your basement it might find its way up to the living areas up above. It is for this reason that you need to keep you basement dry and for that you need to pay attention to basement waterproofing. A wet basement is wasted space that you just can't use or enjoy.Did you know that basement waterproofing pays you the highest dividends out of all home improvement projects? The investment you make in having your basement waterproofed will be repaid by: increased property value, a new living space, and healthier living conditions. When you decide to sell your home, it will be to your advantage to have a dry, usable basement.
Over the years, basement waterproofing contractors and engineers have developed many different methods of keeping basements dry. One option for do it yourself basement waterproofing is to use concrete water proofer. Another very popular option is crystalline basement waterproofing and a third is PermaFlex. Methods of basement waterproofing include a liquid membrane which is applied to the interior of the space or a sheeting membrane attached to the exterior of the space.
The basement waterproofing industry is extremely competitive because the market is literally flooded with basement waterproofing products and basement waterproofing systems that DO NOT WORK. If you live in a part of the US that gets heavy sudden rains, then you will surely need someone to help you with your waterproofing needs as basement flooding cleanup can be quite costly. Quality installations and service assures the homeowner their basement waterproofing project will be done with professionalism.
You can learn what is causing your basement water problems and the the methods to repair a leaking basement by having a certified dealer give you a free wet basement inspection and estimate on the solution to your leaking cellar. It makes no sense to live in a home with an unuseable wet basement or a basement that floods once in a while. If you have been dealing with a leaky basement, no doubt you are ready to get something done about the problem and start looking for basement waterproofing professionals.
A dry basement will protect the investment you made in your home as well as enable you to use the space for storage or for a basement finishing project to gain additional living space. Sodium Bentonite clay is another common method of waterproofing a basement.
BASEMENT DEHUMIDIFIERS IDEAS
If you have an issue with basement mold and basement dampness, one of your options is to look into basement dehumidifiers. Keeping your basement dry is very important for many reasons and one way to accomplish this is to buy a dehumidifier that will keep your basement free of moisture.
There are many makes and models of basement dehumidifiers including Haier, Kenmore, GE, and Sahara. The bigger the space, the bigger the dehumidifier you will need to have it be able to effectively get rid of basement moisture. You can also try to waterproof your basement but even if you do, it still will be a good idea to cover all bases and use a dehumidifier.
Basement mold will ruin your basement and present real health problems as well. Buying a cheap basement dehumidifier is a great investment and one of those basement ideas that you should do if you have any problem at all with wetness. A great place to get one for a cheap price delivered to your door is here - basement dehumidifier.
BASEMENT MOLD IDEAS
One of the biggest problems with basements is that they tend to be cold and moist which leads to mold. Basement mold is not only ugly but it is also dangerous to both children and adults by contributing to allergies and asthma. Any basement remodelling ideas you have should address the mold factor and work to make sure it does not become a problem.
Many basements are made of concrete and are of course on the bottom floor sometimes even buried in the earth. This presents a problem of keeping that basement space warm and dry as concrete does let in moisture. If you can figure out a way to eliminate the moisture and keep the basement warm, mold will have a much harder time of forming. Mold typically is not a problem in warmer climates and does not grow in dry places.
Probably the best way to make the basement floors warm is to have radiant heat installed. This is easier if your house is new and still under construction. There are two kinds of radiant heat, hydronic and electric. Hydronic radiant heat involved warm water through tubes under the floor and electric radiant heat involves electrical wires much like your toaster. If your house is already built, electric radiant heat is by far the easier of the two to install.
Installing electric radiant heat is a great basement ideas because it kills two birds with one stone. Not only does it make it very difficult for mold to grow but it also does a great job of warming the basement. Keeping your basement warm at least a couple of hours a day will most likely prevent basement mold from forming.
Sealing your basement from the elements is another way you should be protecting yourself from mold and other harmful effects that can seep in. Make sure all openings are caulked and that there is proper ventilation around the foundation. You need to make sure that water does not form around the house and that there are gutters that move the water away from the basement foundation. Again, the idea is to make everything as dry as possible year round.Make sure that there is proper ventilation in your basement and that the air is not stagnant. Stagnant air will contribute to moisture forming and keeping your basement warm and dry is the objective. Depending on the condition of your basement and what type of basement remodelling ideas you have will determine the amount of money and effort needed to make it what you have in mind. For more information on basement mold, please see black mold removal.
BASEMENT STORAGE IDEAS
Of all the basement ideas, using the basement for storage is probably the most popular. In most houses the basement is the last place to be finished and most people never even get that far and just use it to store things.
Items such as Christmas decorations, old toys, unused clothes, sporting equipment, and all other such items usually find their way to the basement. It is important to make sure your basement is water proof and damp proof otherwise many of those items may end up ruined.
Installing basement shelves will greatly increase the amount of storage space you can use and make it easier to get to all your items. If you pack everything in boxes and then stack the boxes, it is near impossible to remember what you have and where things are when you need them. A good system of basement shelving will solve that problem.
There are several kinds of plastic and metal pre-made shelves you can buy at places such as Home Depot. These are great to put up quickly and they will work well in any basement corner or against a basement concrete wall. They are relatively inexpensive and should last a lifetime. Something like this is the choise of most people.
If you are more adventurous and want something you can build yourself, you might build a stacked vertical shelving system. With this you will get a generous amount of horizontal space to store your things while using up very little floor space. This might be one of the best basement storage ideas if you don't have a lot of building experience but wish to do something yourself.
BASEMENT REMODELING IDEAS
If you are going to do a basement remodel, you are probably looking for some basement pictures to give you lots of basement ideas. Basement Planner by Better Homes and Gardens is a book that will help you think out of the box a bit on your basement plans. It is a great book to help you visualize what you want to do.
Basement Planner 
-Get more square footage by finishing and customizing your below-ground spaces
-Explore the latest finish and decorating options for floors, walls, and ceilings.
-Solve common layout and structural problems with floor plans, design ideas, and expert advice.
-Find answers to your basement remodeling questions.
If you want to get this book about basement remodeling, you can often find it at stores like Home Depot for $14.95. If you want to get it for a much cheaper price and delivered to your door you can purchase it here - Basement Planner 
Basement Ideas That Work
If you own a home with a basement you have the opportunity to turn unused space into a great living space--all without adding on extra square footage to your home. In fact, finishing a basement is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to increase living space in a home.
This list of basement ideas books
Basement Carpet Color Ideas
The carpet in any room covers so much living space that it becomes the foundation of the room's decor. You can choose to have your basement carpet colors neutral so that it blends in with fabrics and other surfaces, or you can have it be the vibrant focal point of the room. A carpet's colour will often reflect your style. One thing to make note of is that your basement lighting may have an effect on the color of your carpets depending on whether you have bright lighting or darker lights.
Your choice of carpet color is a very personal but some colors may work better in a basement. choice. Carpet comes in almost every color, pattern, and texture you can imagine so there is no shortage of choices. You may want to use a color that creates a special atmosphere in your basement or you might want something more basic.
The popular beige /brown carpet color works to make a basement room look spacious. Colors like blue, deep greens, and quartz have become popular but they may not be right for a basement. Remember, your basement may have no natural lighting and so you must pick a color that works well with artificial light. Warm colors work well in rooms that lack light and cool greens and blues have a calming effect.
Light colors will make the basement seem larger while dark colors do the opposite and portray coziness. With today's new carpet technology, lighter color carpets are easier to clean which is a good thing as you may want to try a lighter color carpet to brighten up your normally dark basement. It also may be a good idea to try to match your basement carpet color to your draperies or furniture.
Basement Ideas - Use A 3D Interior Design Tool
The best way to plan all your great basement ideas is to use an online 3D design tool. You many have a few ideas in your head but you need a good way to plan them and see what they would actually look like.
You don't need any special training to use this online tool and with it your basement finishing ideas can come to life right before your eyes! With this tool you can drag and drop hundreds of images right on to your plan. This gives you complete control of creating the basment ideas that only you invision.
With this online 3D design tool you have the ability to design any basment ideas you desire and you can see what it will look like before you begin. This tool is a great time saver and it insures that you will not get end up with any unpleasant suprises when you are finally finished.
When you start any basement remodeling project, now you can involve the whole family. Everyone will have their own great basement ideas and now you can all see them together and choose the best plan!
10 OF THE BEST BASEMENT DESIGN IDEAS
There are so many different basement design ideas that it is hard to know where to start. Here are then, in no particular order, are a collection of some of the best basement ideas:
1) Basement Home Theater - With the proliferation of reasonably priced LCD flat screen TV's now, this basement design idea is one of the most popular. If you turn your basement into a movie/TV room you can set up great speakers and have a great movie experience whenever you want. It may even save you money on movie tickets!
2) Basement Workout Room - More and more people are buying tread mills, weight sets, and elliptical machines and what better place to put them than in the basement. Do up the room nicely and you have yourself your own private gym!
3) Basement Workshop - If you have enough lighting and door space to get things in and out, a basement workshop might be right for you. Working in your basement in the cold winter months would be a lot nicer than in that cold garage.
4) Basement Bar - If you don't have enough space to entertain upstairs, you might consider moving the party downstairs. This is a great idea for some smaller houses. If you can put in a mini kitchen in the basement and some fun furniture you are ready to party with your new basement bar!
5) Basement Office - Many people need to work at home in today's modern world and moving the office downstairs to the basement is a great idea to separate work from play. Making a basement office also frees up a bedroom or the den where the office was.
6) Basement Game Room - Put in a pool table, poker table, or a ping pong table along with a big TV and you have yourself a game room for everyone to enjoy. Adding a pinball machine will really add to the ambience of the game room!
7) Guest Bedroom - Turn your basement into the guest bedroom and free up a room upstairs for yourself. This will work best if the basement has a bathroom and a shower of course.
8) Basement Storage - If you positively can't think of anything else to do with your basment, you can always use it for storage. If you do though, make sure you are able to keep it dry. A cold, wet basement is not a good storage place as the things you store might get ruined.
9) Basement Wine Cellar - A cool basement is the perfect place to store wine. Wine is becoming very popular now that it has been acknowledged that it is healthy and so now is the perfect time to turn that unused basement into your own wine cellar.
10) Basement Sauna - A sauna needs a special place and a basement is perfect. If you like saunas you know that extreme heat can make you feel great. Putting a sauna in the basement is several steps up from just getting a hot tub!
TURN YOUR BASEMENT INTO A POKER ROOM
If you are trying to come up with some good basement ideas, how about turning your basment into a poker room? Poker is at an all time high in popularity and people all over the country are including poker as one of their recreational activities.
The basement is a perfect place to set up your poker room or cool basement game room because it is removed from the rest of the house and people can stay down there late at night and not disturb those trying to sleep. The basemtn is also a place where you can decorate it just the way you like and not worry about it clashing with the design of the rest of the house.
If you are going to play poker in your basement, you can set up the room to include a professional poker table, large flat screen TV, a bar or refrigerator for all the refreshments, and maybe even a pinball machine. Put a good pinball machine in your basement poker room to take out your aggressions on after a bad beat!
If you are going to set up a room in your house to play poker in, the basement is for sure the best place to do it in. The basement is the best place to get away and have your own personal poker part. Cool finished Basement ideas like this will make your house the fun house on the block!
Best Basement Color Ideas
Are you thinking of redesigning your basement and you need to pick out the right colors to paint the walls? Your basement is probably one of the darkest rooms in the house and picking the right colors to paint, along with basement lighting, it is very important. The color(s) you choose can determine whether your basement becomes the warm exciting room you envision or the gloomy underbelly of the house.
When you sit down to choose your basement color ideas, you may want to think about these ways we respond to different colours:
Black
Black usually stands for darkness and despair and it is often associated with death. The color black absorbs light and unless you want your basement to be a depressing place, black should be used sparingly.
White
Much the opposite of black, white reflects almost 85% of light. White tends to make rooms seem brighter and larger than rooms painted with other colors. Unfortunately, white walls are easily the most vulnerable to scraping and marking.
Red
The darker shades of red create a sense of warmth. Red also acts to stimulate and energize so it can be a very exciting and vibrant color for a basement. The brighter reds may counterbalance the neutral colors and add life and excitement to the room.
Orange
Orange has some of the same characteristics of red. The brighter the orange the more lively the room becomes while a softer orange tends to make the room more warm and welcoming.
Green
Green can work to balance red and orange. For a basement, a darker shade of green will work much the same as black. It is probably best to stay away from the darker greens and and stay with the lighter shades.
Blue
Blue is said to calm the nervous system and can soften bright rooms. Much like green, if a very dark shade of blue is used it ends up with the same effect as black. The lighter shades of blue make people feel peaceful and comforted.
Yellow
Yellow is a fantastic color that is cheery and stimulating. Lighter yellows work to make rooms feel larger but if overused, it can be too stimulating. Yellow is best used in combination with another color.
Basement Design for Do It Yourselfers
Today in 2008, basements are no longer viewed as that extra area under the house. If a basement has the right interior design, it will add extra space for you and your family to use. It will also add significant value to your home. Some creative basement design ideas will help you find the right solution for your unused space in the basement.
The most important part of remodeling your basement occurs well before you ever touch a tool. In your planning it is best to view the unfinished basement as an empty canvas and be able to freely create anything new in addition to your basic living needs.
Are you a do-it-yourselfer interested in getting help planning or designing your basement? Several designers have made a career out of basement design and it is big business today, but you may want to design the room yourself.
One of the first things you have to consider in a basmetn idea or redecoration is the lighting. Not enough overhead lighting can spell doom for the design and the room. Since basements do not normally get a lot of natural lighting, you might want to make sure your basement design has plenty of overhead lights so the basement is not so dark when you are trying to enjoy that area.
You will probably want to carpet the basement floor and the stairs that are accessed from the inside of your home. This will make the basement feel more "livable". When finishing or remodeling your basement, make sure you paint the interior surface of the basement wall with a high quality waterproof and mildew resistant basement wall paint. Basement design ideas point out the suggestion of using bright colors for the walls, furniture and accessories.
The best basement design idea will make sure that the end result is a room that does not look like a basement. Remember, that great basements improvement design can increase the value and ambiance of your home and the quality of you life.
Basement Ideas - The Basement Wine Cellar
One of the more obvious basement ideas is to turn your basement into a wine cellar. The basement is the natural and ideal place to store your wine.
Wine needs to kept in a cool dark place where the temperature doesn't fluctuate too much. This is true of the basement as it is usually the coldest and darkest part of the house and the room were the temperature changes the least throughout the year. Additionally, the basement is usually either totally or partly built into the ground so it is the room where there is the least vibration. You can also keep your wine glasses (Wine Glasse Co) down in the basement but that is not necessary.
If you live in a very hot region of the country, you might want to invest in an air conditioner for those stretches of very hot days. Ideally wine should be kept somewhere between 48 - 56 degrees Fahrenheit and during the summer even your basement temperature may go over that.
Additionally, dry climates often cause the cork in wine bottles to shrink which lets in air. This is one thing you do not want to happen and a humidifier might be a wise purchase for those that live in the dryer regions.
A basment wine cellar is the perfect basement idea for anyone who enjoys sweet wine or collecting wine. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to announce to your guests that you will be right back with their selection of Port right after you jaunt down to your basement wine cellar!
Basement Ideas - Basement Gym / Workout Room
Workout machines like treadmills, stair climbers, and elliptical machines are quite the rage right now. This is one of those basement ideas that really makes sense when you think about it.
Basements are very often the coldest room in the house and so there is no better place to put your workout equipment. Very soon after beginning your workout, you will work up a sweat and the cold room will not bother you at all .
Additionally, you can do as little or as much with your basment gym as you like to make it presentable. As this will not be a room to really "hang out" in, you don't have to put down a carpet if you don't want to. Or, if you do want to make it a great looking basement gym, you can do that too.
A basement room ideas like this one is also good for controlling the noise when you work out. As it will be away from the rest of the house, you can play your boombox as loud as you want and the noise of the machines won't be a problem either. You can put in a flat screen TV to make your basment workouts more enjoyable.
One important thing you must do, though, is to make sure your basement gym has a good ventilation system. Being down in the basement their might be no windows to open so you must find a way to keep the air fresh.
This basement ideas is a good one because it frees up another room in the house. Now you won't have to use your den or a bedroom for your workout machines. You can have a seperate place you go to do your basement workout and keep the family rooms available to do other things.
Basement Ideas – Basement Home Theater
This is becoming one of the more common basement ideas as new technology makes it cheaper and easier to build. Now that LCD flat screens along with awesome stereo sound is easy to find, a basement home theater is the dream of many.
Make sure you pick a flat screen that is proportional to the size of the room. LCD has overtaken Plasma in popularity now because the prices have come down and LCD flat screen tv has a longer life expectancy than Plasma. Remember, you want to buy a flat screen that is big enough to keep you happy for many years.
Many people forget that the screen is only half the experience of these basment ideas. If you get a great screen but have poor sound you will find you and your friends are highly disappointed. You need to get a high quality stereo surround sound system that will take advantage of the high-end sound capabilities of today’s DVD’s. Some of these systems are fairly expensive and you need to consider this before you dive in. For the best sound, make sure you mount your surround sound speakers on the side and rear walls.
Don’t blow all your money on the flat screen and speakers. Any basement home theater needs to have comfortable places for everyone to sit. Soft couches and chairs are a must to make this the room everyone wants to hang out in. A nice plush carpet also goes a long way in making the room visually appealing and comfortable. Basement ideas like the basement home theater are what make your home a special place to live. If you do it right, you will be rewarded for years.
Basement Ideas - The Basement Workshop
One of the most popular basement ideas is to turn your basement into a workshop. In order to do this, you need to have a basement that has a door to the outside. Otherwise, you will have to bring all your materials and projects through the house and down the stairs. So, the basement cannot be totally submerged in the ground.
You will need storage for all your tools so shelves will be needed and walls can be used for hanging storage spaces. If the walls are concrete, you will need to figure out how you can best attach shelves or hooks for hanging.
Any basement workshop work area needs to be big enough to be safe. If you intend on building things, there needs to be enough space to acually work. You should make sure there is room to use your saws and drills and what not and not jeapardize your safety. A cramped space will not work with basement ideas like this one.
Basement lighting is also an important safety issue. If you are going to be using dangerous tools (and most tools are dangerous), great lighting is a necessity. Natural lighting is best but since this workshop will be in your basment you might need some bright flourescent lighting on the ceiling. Lamps are OK but overhead lighting is the safest.
You will also need to make sure there are electrical units in places where they are accessable. Depending on the basement and whether it is finished, there might not be convenient electrical units in which case you might need to use tools with a Skil 18v battery.
Basement ideas like this one are great because they can turn your home into an enjoyable place to live. If you like working with your hands and building things, a basement workshop might be the right choice for you.
Basement Ideas – Basement Bar
Most houses don’t have a large enough living area to do the type of entertaining that you would like. Turning the basement into an entertainment room / bar is one of those great basement ideas that will take care of that.
If you are going to entertain guests, you will need to make sure your basement has a kitchen area, a barstool or two for people to sit on, and other chairs and sofas as well. It should have a sink and at least a small refrigerator so that you can serve food without having to go upstairs every 5 minutes. Make sure the water coming out of the basement faucet is the same clean water that comes out in the kitchen. Basement bar ideas like this need to have a full kitchen capability.
The cold floors of a basment will most certainly not work with this basement idea! You will need to have basement carpet over those floors and this will give you a chance to decide on the way you want to present the room. The carpet can be a bright colour or it can be toned down depending on the mood you want the room to have. You will also need to decide on the type of carpet, one with a plush feel or one that is more office like.
Basement lighting is another important aspect of this basement bar that will help determine its character. Track lighting always seems to give a room an upbeat feel and if you are using the room for entertaining that will be vital. Most basements are dark and so you must figure out how to effectively illuminate the room. Make sure you have a lamp or two (maybe a Tiffany lamp) in the corners of the room to make the room feel bigger.
Just like the lighting, the color of paint that you use to paint the walls will help determine the mood of the room. You will probably want a lighter color paint that will give the room a festive appearance.
With all these decisions, it is best to consult all members of the family and try to get a consensus. When everyone contributes their ideas, it helps them feel they had a part in designing the room. This sense of involvement goes a long way toward building family bonding and ultimately helps the family as a whole enjoy this basement ideas!
Basement Ideas – His and Hers Basement Office
Many people have offices in their homes now days and what better place to put them than in the basement. One of the better basement ideas is make the basement into a “his and hers” office.
One of the advantages with this basement idea is that it moves the workplace away from the family and the family rooms. Too many people let their jobs and business interfere with their family life and by moving the den or office(s) into the basement you effectively separate the two.
You will need to make your basement into a home office that you and your spouse can enjoy and get work done in. Some tips to make this basment ideas into reality are:
Great Lighting – You need great basement lighting if you are going to make your basement into an office. You do not want to be in a place that is too dark and strains your eyes when you are looking at papers, reports, or a computer screen.
Ample Shelving – any basement office need a generous amount of shelves to organize your things. Shelves help you utilize your space and keep things in order. Basement ideas like this one are great because you can move many of the things that clutter the family rooms into the basement away from everyone.
Paint – Choose your paint carefully: you want a color that is professional looking to remind you that you are in your basement office. You don’t want to use a paint that is a dreary color but instead you want a paint that makes the basement idea look neutral.
Furniture – Comfortable chairs and desks are vital for a good work environment. Don’t necessarily get the same chairs and desks for both of you as each one of you might have a different idea of what is comfortable. It is a good idea to get the best ergonomic chair you can find that you each like. The important thing with this basement idea is to make sure that both parties are happy with their basement office and want to spend time there.
Basement Ideas - Basement Lighting
Whatever your basement ideas, it is important to add as much light as possible to your basement. Basements are usually dark, cold, and dreary and so the effective use of light is very important.
The light you add to your basement can make a big difference in the "feel' of it. If your basement is above ground or partially above ground, make sure you take advantage of that by putting in some windows. Natural light is always the best kind of light.
Many basements have low ceilings and for this basement idea you need to make good use of artificial light. If you direct your lighting toward the ceiling it has the effect of opening up the room and making the ceiling appear higher than it really is. Choose your lamps carfully for both design and the colour of the light they emit. If you buy the right kind of floor lamps and table lamps, you will be suprised at the warmth they bring to a room.
Track lighting works well if you have a bar theme, a sports theme, or a game room type of theme to the room, Track lighting around the edges of the room can highlight pictures and paintings on the walls and give the room an exciting look.
Basement ideas like good lighting are important to build the best basement you can envision. As always, make sure you consult the whole family so that everyone can have a good feeling about the basment you are building!
Basement Ideas - The Cool Game Room
If your basement is just wasted space, this is one of those cool basement finishing ideas the whole family will love. Do a basement remodel and turn it into a cool new game room - hangout area. To do that here are are some great tips and ideas.
First you need to clean up the entire basement.
You need to have your basement completely cleared and cleaned so you will be able to work. Starting from scratch will help you create this great basement ideas, and incorporate your own personal vision.
Look For Pictures Of Cool Basements For Examples.
Look in home magazines and on the Internet to find lots of pictures of finished basements to see what you like. You can find examples of different styles and colors to present to the family so that you can decide as a group what your game room basement remodel will look like.
Use Colorful Paint
The cool game room needs to have some great colours on the walls to give the room extra life. This room will be used for a fun gathering place and it needs to look like a happy and exciting place. The proper use of colorful paint can help accomplish that.
Add Colorful Carpet
Basement floors can be get cold and are unattractive with no coverings, so you need it to be carpeted for that cosy "homey" feel. Again, just like with the paint, it is best to use some exciting colors for the carpet to make the room feel like an exciting and happy place.
Furnish the Basement
Like all basement ideas, the right furnishings can make or break a room. You need to find the most comfortable chairs and sofas because this is a room that will be used a lot. Take your family to all the furniture stores in town and let them sit on everything. If you are lucky, there will be a few items that will stick out that everyone loves.
Add Some Cool Extras
How about a refrigerator in your new game room? A pool table, ping pong table, Foosball table, and pinball machines are always fun and the most popular. Ask the family what they want in the room and try to get a consensus. 
This will be a room for the whole family and everyone should feel a part of it. This is one of those basement ideas that will bring the family together and be a positive experience for everyone. With this basement idea you will have added value to your home and to your family!
Basment Finishing Ideas
In order to find really great basement finishing ideas, you will need to take some time to educate yourself. We, of course, will help you with this journey by bringing as many basement ideas as we possibly can to this site.
During the next few weeks, we will be gathering basement ideas for you and putting it all up for you to go through. We will highlight basement remodeling, basement flooring, basement designs, basement finishing, and many other things. This will hopefully give each of you a chance to see what’s out there and can help you to formulate some ideas of what you might want.
A newly remodeled basement can improve the quality of your life significantly. It can become a fun family room where the gang hangs out or it can be turned into an office sanctuary. The possibilities are endless. We don't have all out basement ideas up yet, but will in the near future.
Welcome To Basement Ideas
Thanks for visiting Basement Ideas. We have taken the time to organize information that can help you to learn about great basement ideas. If you are looking for information on basements remodeling you have come to the right place.
If any of you would like more information on great base ment ideas, please feel free to let us know. Thanks again for the visit and make sure to check back often to receive additional basement ideas.
Privacy Policy
Update April 2009 - Privacy Policy
This website/blog uses third-party advertising companies to serve ads when visiting this site. These third parties may collect and use information (but not your name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, you can visit Google's Advertising and Privacy page.
If you wish to opt out of Advertising companies tracking and tailoring advertisements to your surfing patterns you may do so at Network Advertising Initiative.
Google uses the Doubleclick DART cookie to serve ads across it's Adsense network and you can get further information regarding the DART cookie at Doubleclick as well as opt out options at Google's Privacy Center
Privacy
I respect your privacy and I am committed to safeguarding your privacy while online at this site. The following discloses how I gather and disseminate information for this Blog.
Cookies
A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user’s computer tied to information about the user. This blog doesn't use cookies. However, some of my business partners use cookies on this site (for example - advertisers). I can't access or control these cookies once the advertisers have set them.
Links
This Blog contains links to other sites. Please be aware that I am not responsible for the privacy practices of these other sites. I suggest my users to be aware of this when they leave this blog and to read the privacy statements of each and every site that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this Blog.
Advertisers
I use outside ad companies to display ads on this blog. These ads may contain cookies and are collected by the advertising companies and I do not have access to this information. I work with the following advertising companies: Commission Junction, Google Adsense, ROI Rocket, and NeverBlueAds. Please check the advertisers websites for respective privacy policies.
Contact Information
If you have any questions or concerns please contact foxtrot7000@yahoo.com. This privacy policy updated February 2008
