The new basement is the ultimate multi-functional space. A bar, foosball table, dartboard, and glass garage door with direct access to the back provide endless entertainment for guests; a cozy seating area with a whiteboard and pop-up television is perfect for Mike's work training sessions (or relaxing!); and a small playhouse and fun zone offer endless possibilities for the family's son, James.

Photo of a mid-sized modern look-out basement in Chicago with grey walls, concrete floors, no fireplace and blue floor.

Bar area with short hallway to the bathroom and stone wall at end of hall
This is an example of a traditional basement in Minneapolis with orange floor.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern look-out basement in Chicago with grey walls, concrete floors, no fireplace and blue floor.

Mother-in-Law basement makeover
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional walk-out basement in Seattle with grey walls, concrete floors, a hanging fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and blue floor.

Photo of a large country look-out basement in DC Metro with a home bar, beige walls, light hardwood floors and orange floor.

We started with a blank slate on this basement project where our only obstacles were exposed steel support columns, existing plumbing risers from the concrete slab, and dropped soffits concealing ductwork on the ceiling. It had the advantage of tall ceilings, an existing egress window, and a sliding door leading to a newly constructed patio. This family of five loves the beach and frequents summer beach resorts in the Northeast. Bringing that aesthetic home to enjoy all year long was the inspiration for the décor, as well as creating a family-friendly space for entertaining. Wish list items included room for a billiard table, wet bar, game table, family room, guest bedroom, full bathroom, space for a treadmill and closed storage. The existing structural elements helped to define how best to organize the basement. For instance, we knew we wanted to connect the bar area and billiards table with the patio in order to create an indoor/outdoor entertaining space. It made sense to use the egress window for the guest bedroom for both safety and natural light. The bedroom also would be adjacent to the plumbing risers for easy access to the new bathroom. Since the primary focus of the family room would be for TV viewing, natural light did not need to filter into that space. We made sure to hide the columns inside of newly constructed walls and dropped additional soffits where needed to make the ceiling mechanicals feel less random. In addition to the beach vibe, the homeowner has valuable sports memorabilia that was to be prominently displayed including two seats from the original Yankee stadium. For a coastal feel, shiplap is used on two walls of the family room area. In the bathroom shiplap is used again in a more creative way using wood grain white porcelain tile as the horizontal shiplap “wood”. We connected the tile horizontally with vertical white grout joints and mimicked the horizontal shadow line with dark grey grout. At first glance it looks like we wrapped the shower with real wood shiplap. Materials including a blue and white patterned floor, blue penny tiles and a natural wood vanity checked the list for that seaside feel. A large reclaimed wood door on an exposed sliding barn track separates the family room from the game room where reclaimed beams are punctuated with cable lighting. Cabinetry and a beverage refrigerator are tucked behind the rolling bar cabinet (that doubles as a Blackjack table!). A TV and upright video arcade machine round-out the entertainment in the room. Bar stools, two rotating club chairs, and large square poufs along with the Yankee Stadium seats provide fun places to sit while having a drink, watching billiards or a game on the TV. Signed baseballs can be found behind the bar, adjacent to the billiard table, and on specially designed display shelves next to the poker table in the family room. Thoughtful touches like the surfboards, signage, photographs and accessories make a visitor feel like they are on vacation at a well-appointed beach resort without being cliché.

Entertainment oasis! Durable epoxy flooring with amazing wet bar, exercise room, projector screen and fireplace!
This is an example of a mid-sized modern fully buried basement in Other with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and blue floor.

This is an example of a modern look-out basement in Chicago with brown walls, concrete floors and orange floor.

Bar Area adjcent to pool room, with hall at end opening to a storage unit
Inspiration for a traditional basement in Minneapolis with orange floor.

Duality Photographic
Photo of a large contemporary look-out basement in Other with grey walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace and orange floor.

Photos by Nazim Nice
Modern basement in Seattle with orange floor.

Mother-in-Law basement makeover
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional walk-out basement in Seattle with grey walls, concrete floors, a hanging fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and blue floor.

Photo of a large arts and crafts walk-out basement in Other with white walls, porcelain floors and blue floor.

Large arts and crafts walk-out basement in Other with white walls, porcelain floors and blue floor.

Mother-in-Law basement makeover
Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional walk-out basement in Seattle with grey walls, concrete floors, a hanging fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and blue floor.

Mother-in-Law basement makeover
Photo of a mid-sized transitional walk-out basement in Seattle with grey walls, concrete floors, a hanging fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and blue floor.

Mother-in-Law basement makeover
Mid-sized transitional walk-out basement in Seattle with grey walls, concrete floors, a hanging fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and blue floor.

Design ideas for a large modern walk-out basement in Portland with white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace and orange floor.