A full wet bar is tucked in the corner under real stone arches. Seating for four available at the cherry wood bar counter under custom hanging lights in the comfortable black bar stools with backs. Your guests have full view of the arched cherry wood back cabinets complete with wall lights and ceiling light display areas highlighting the open glass shelving with all the glassware and memorabilia. Get drinks ready on the marble counter tops by taking out the ingredients from the cherry wood cabinets and stainless-steel cooler. Play a game or two of pool in the game area or sit in the super comfortable couches in front of the custom fireplace with cherry wood and real stone mantel. The cozy intimate atmosphere is completed throughout the basement thanks to strategic custom wall, hanging and recessed lighting as well as the consistent cherry wood wainscoting on the walls.

©Finished Basement Company
Mid-sized transitional look-out basement in Minneapolis with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Photo of a transitional look-out basement in Chicago with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Morse Lake basement renovation. Our clients made some great design choices, this basement is amazing! Great entertaining space, a wet bar, and pool room.

Inspiration for a large country fully buried basement in Omaha with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, grey walls, carpet and grey floor.

Photo of a mid-sized contemporary fully buried basement in Denver with grey walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

We believe interiors are for people, and should be functional and beautiful. The family room pretty much sums that up. The playful and bold floral wallpaper by Nina Campbell for Designer’s Guild sets the tone in this transitional, colorful space. The brand new fireplace is ready for cozy fireside wine tastings, as the copper tiles and custom gilded mirror sparkle in the candlelight.

Matthies Builders
Mid-sized transitional look-out basement in Chicago with grey walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

Jason Miller, Pixelate, LTD
Large country look-out basement in Cleveland with brown walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

Norman Sizemore
Design ideas for a large country fully buried basement in Chicago with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

This is an example of a large contemporary fully buried basement in Salt Lake City with a home bar, white walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

Matthies Builders
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional look-out basement in Chicago with grey walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and beige floor.

The best of the past and present meet in this distinguished design. Custom craftsmanship and distinctive detailing give this lakefront residence its vintage flavor while an open and light-filled floor plan clearly mark it as contemporary. With its interesting shingled roof lines, abundant windows with decorative brackets and welcoming porch, the exterior takes in surrounding views while the interior meets and exceeds contemporary expectations of ease and comfort. The main level features almost 3,000 square feet of open living, from the charming entry with multiple window seats and built-in benches to the central 15 by 22-foot kitchen, 22 by 18-foot living room with fireplace and adjacent dining and a relaxing, almost 300-square-foot screened-in porch. Nearby is a private sitting room and a 14 by 15-foot master bedroom with built-ins and a spa-style double-sink bath with a beautiful barrel-vaulted ceiling. The main level also includes a work room and first floor laundry, while the 2,165-square-foot second level includes three bedroom suites, a loft and a separate 966-square-foot guest quarters with private living area, kitchen and bedroom. Rounding out the offerings is the 1,960-square-foot lower level, where you can rest and recuperate in the sauna after a workout in your nearby exercise room. Also featured is a 21 by 18-family room, a 14 by 17-square-foot home theater, and an 11 by 12-foot guest bedroom suite. Photography: Ashley Avila Photography & Fulview Builder: J. Peterson Homes Interior Design: Vision Interiors by Visbeen

Located on leafy North Dayton in Chicago's fashionable Lincoln Park, this single-family home is the epitome of understated elegance in family living. This beautiful house features a swirling center staircase, two-story dining room, refined architectural detailing and the finest finishes. Windows and sky lights fill the space with natural light and provide ample views of the property's beautiful landscaping. A unique, elevated "green roof" stretches from the family room over the top of the 2½-car garage and creates an outdoor space that accommodates a fireplace, dining area and play place. With approximately 5,400 square feet of living space, this home features six bedrooms and 5.1 bathrooms, including an entire floor dedicated to the master suite. This home was developed as a speculative home during the Great Recession and went under contract in less than 30 days. Nathan Kirkman

Today’s basements are much more than dark, dingy spaces or rec rooms of years ago. Because homeowners are spending more time in them, basements have evolved into lower-levels with distinctive spaces, complete with stone and marble fireplaces, sitting areas, coffee and wine bars, home theaters, over sized guest suites and bathrooms that rival some of the most luxurious resort accommodations. Gracing the lakeshore of Lake Beulah, this homes lower-level presents a beautiful opening to the deck and offers dynamic lake views. To take advantage of the home’s placement, the homeowner wanted to enhance the lower-level and provide a more rustic feel to match the home’s main level, while making the space more functional for boating equipment and easy access to the pier and lakefront. Jeff Auberger designed a seating area to transform into a theater room with a touch of a button. A hidden screen descends from the ceiling, offering a perfect place to relax after a day on the lake. Our team worked with a local company that supplies reclaimed barn board to add to the decor and finish off the new space. Using salvaged wood from a corn crib located in nearby Delavan, Jeff designed a charming area near the patio door that features two closets behind sliding barn doors and a bench nestled between the closets, providing an ideal spot to hang wet towels and store flip flops after a day of boating. The reclaimed barn board was also incorporated into built-in shelving alongside the fireplace and an accent wall in the updated kitchenette. Lastly the children in this home are fans of the Harry Potter book series, so naturally, there was a Harry Potter themed cupboard under the stairs created. This cozy reading nook features Hogwartz banners and wizarding wands that would amaze any fan of the book series.

The large central living space acts as the hub for this stunning basement and includes a beautifully crafted custom kitchen and bar island, sophisticated sitting room with fireplace and comfortable lounge/TV area with a gorgeous custom built-in entertainment center that provides the perfect setting for entertaining large parties.

From hosting the big game to sharing their love of live music, this family enjoys entertaining. The basement boasts unique walls of reclaimed wood, a large, custom-designed bar, and an open room with pool table, fireplace, TV viewing area, and performance area. A back stair that leads directly from the basement to the outside patio means guests can move the party outside easily! Greg Hadley Photography

Elizabeth Steiner
Design ideas for an expansive traditional fully buried basement in Chicago with beige walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.

Comfy basement family room with stone fireplace. Photography by Spacecrafting.
This is an example of a large transitional walk-out basement in Minneapolis with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace surround.