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

This lovely custom-built home is surrounded by wild prairie and horse pastures. ORIJIN STONE Premium Bluestone Blue Select is used throughout the home; from the front porch & step treads, as a custom fireplace surround, throughout the lower level including the wine cellar, and on the back patio. LANDSCAPE DESIGN & INSTALL: Original Rock Designs TILE INSTALL: Uzzell Tile, Inc. BUILDER: Gordon James PHOTOGRAPHY: Landmark Photography

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.

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!
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern fully buried basement in Other with grey walls, a standard fireplace, a tile fireplace surround and blue floor.

Elizabeth Steiner Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional look-out basement in Chicago with blue walls, concrete floors, no fireplace and blue floor.

Photo of a mid-sized country basement in Portland with beige walls, carpet and blue floor.

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

Design ideas for a large traditional look-out basement in Boston with blue walls, carpet, no fireplace 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.

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

A basement family/media room
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional walk-out basement in Boston with beige walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and blue floor.

Elizabeth Steiner Photography
This is an example of a large transitional look-out basement in Chicago with blue walls, concrete floors, no fireplace and blue floor.

Photo of a large eclectic basement in Salt Lake City with carpet and blue floor.

Photo: Robert Burns © 2015 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic basement in Portland with blue floor.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary look-out basement in Toronto with grey walls, vinyl floors and blue floor.

A basement remodel is now a retreat
Photo of a mid-sized transitional walk-out basement in Other with a home bar, white walls, carpet, blue floor and recessed.

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.

Beach style basement with carpet and blue floor.