In order to achieve the head height needed for this basement communal space to function, we raised the house several feet in the air and built the area that stands above the shelf. Plywood partitions separate off the office space The rustic, funky vibe of this inn makes it an inspiring launching pad for all the activities our beautiful PNW has to offer, and the space is prepped with bicycles and bike accoutrements to help guests on their way. Builder: Blue Sound Construction Designer: Aaron Bush of Workshop AB2C Photo:Alex Hayden

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.

Steve Tauge Studios
Mid-sized midcentury fully buried basement in Other with concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a tile fireplace surround, beige walls and beige floor.

Total basement redo with polished concrete floor and a new bar and theater room
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary walk-out basement in Denver with white walls, concrete floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and white floor.

Jason Grimes
Large industrial fully buried basement in Cincinnati with white walls and concrete floors.

Chic. Moody. Sexy. These are just a few of the words that come to mind when I think about the W Hotel in downtown Bellevue, WA. When my client came to me with this as inspiration for her Basement makeover, I couldn’t wait to get started on the transformation. Everything from the poured concrete floors to mimic Carrera marble, to the remodeled bar area, and the custom designed billiard table to match the custom furnishings is just so luxe! Tourmaline velvet, embossed leather, and lacquered walls adds texture and depth to this multi-functional living space.

Photo of a large modern look-out basement in Melbourne with white walls, concrete floors and no fireplace.

believe it or not...this is the basement! such sophistication was achieved with the ivory and black crisp modern color story. the walls are lacquered in ivory paint, the floor is a stained ivory polished concrete...all high shine finish to bring light into a low ceiling basement.

Basement-level family recreation room designed by AHT Interiors. Model home by Brockton Construction.
Inspiration for an arts and crafts walk-out basement in Atlanta with beige walls, concrete floors, no fireplace and multi-coloured floor.

Photo of a large contemporary look-out basement in Denver with grey walls, concrete floors, no fireplace and grey floor.

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional fully buried basement in Edmonton with green walls, concrete floors, a stone fireplace surround and a ribbon fireplace.

Artistic built-in with hidden storage and display niches. Sun Design Remodeling frequently holds home tours at clients’ homes and workshops on home remodeling topics at their office in Burke, VA. FOR INFORMATION: 703-425-5588 or www.SunDesignInc.com Photography by Bryan Burris

Inspiration for a modern fully buried basement in Indianapolis with concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace and a metal fireplace surround.

Inspiration for a large eclectic walk-out basement in Minneapolis with concrete floors, grey floor, a home bar, beige walls and no fireplace.

Call it what you want: a man cave, kid corner, or a party room, a basement is always a space in a home where the imagination can take liberties. Phase One accentuated the clients' wishes for an industrial lower level complete with sealed flooring, a full kitchen and bathroom and plenty of open area to let loose.

Second ribbon fireplace with stacked stone near a pool table.
Photo of an expansive transitional look-out basement in Chicago with white walls, concrete floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and grey floor.

Inspiration for a large modern look-out basement in New York with white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace and grey floor.

Derek Sergison
Design ideas for a small modern fully buried basement in Portland with white walls, concrete floors, no fireplace and grey floor.

A simpler floor finish that was still decorative was necessary for the basement of the Timnath residence. The homeowners opted for a polished concrete with full exposed aggregate. These floors are easy to maintain and comfortable on bare feet, but tough enough for a storage basement. Photo Credit: Courtney West, 2017