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.

Design ideas for a large beach style walk-out basement in Minneapolis with white walls, carpet and beige floor.

Beach style look-out basement in Boston with white walls, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

John Gillooly/PEI
Photo of a beach style look-out basement in Boston with white walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Inspiration for a beach style basement in Boston with white walls.

Photo of a large beach style walk-out basement in Other with white walls and carpet.

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.

Photo of a beach style basement in Boston with white walls and medium hardwood floors.

Design ideas for a large beach style walk-out basement in Toronto with white walls and laminate floors.

Point West at Macatawa Park J. Visser Design Insignia Homes
This is an example of a beach style look-out basement in Grand Rapids with white walls, carpet and no fireplace.

Lower Level of home on Lake Minnetonka Nautical call with white shiplap and blue accents for finishes. This photo highlights the built-ins that flank the fireplace.

Inspiration for a large beach style walk-out basement in Toronto with white walls, laminate floors and a ribbon fireplace.

Inspiration for an expansive beach style fully buried basement in Orange County with white walls, concrete floors and grey floor.

Comfortable performance fabric sectional and indoor/outdoor rug for durable family entertaining. Complete with a ventless fireplace and wine closet.
Inspiration for a large beach style walk-out basement in New York with white walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, brown floor and planked wall panelling.

Dan Cutrona
Design ideas for a mid-sized beach style walk-out basement in Boston with white walls, grey floor, slate floors and no fireplace.

Large beach style walk-out basement in Other with a game room, white walls and grey floor.

Our clients hired us to completely renovate and furnish their PEI home — and the results were transformative. Inspired by their natural views and love of entertaining, each space in this PEI home is distinctly original yet part of the collective whole. We used color, patterns, and texture to invite personality into every room: the fish scale tile backsplash mosaic in the kitchen, the custom lighting installation in the dining room, the unique wallpapers in the pantry, powder room and mudroom, and the gorgeous natural stone surfaces in the primary bathroom and family room. We also hand-designed several features in every room, from custom furnishings to storage benches and shelving to unique honeycomb-shaped bar shelves in the basement lounge. The result is a home designed for relaxing, gathering, and enjoying the simple life as a couple.

Beach style basement in Salt Lake City with white walls.

Photo of a beach style basement in Boston with white walls.