Photo of a traditional living room in Austin with a standard fireplace and white walls.

Los Altos Hills, CA.
Photo of a traditional bedroom in San Francisco with beige walls, dark hardwood floors and a standard fireplace.

Nathan Schroder Photography BK Design Studio Robert Elliott Custom Homes
Contemporary study room in Dallas with blue walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and a freestanding desk.

Photo of a transitional enclosed living room in Toronto with grey walls, dark hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and brown floor.

Inspiration for a contemporary open concept living room in Los Angeles with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a standard fireplace, a wall-mounted tv and brown floor.

72" Linear Gas Fireplace
Large contemporary enclosed living room in Denver with white walls, dark hardwood floors, no fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

This basement features billiards, a sunken home theatre, a stone wine cellar and multiple bar areas and spots to gather with friends and family.
Large country living room in Cincinnati with a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, brown floor and grey walls.

This is an example of a contemporary open concept family room in Orange County with white walls, a ribbon fireplace, a metal fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv and beige floor.

The Official Photographers - Aaron & Shannon Radford
Design ideas for a country backyard deck in Hamilton with a fire feature and a pergola.

Photo of a country family room in Austin.

INT2 architecture
This is an example of a large scandinavian single-wall eat-in kitchen in Saint Petersburg with light hardwood floors, flat-panel cabinets, grey floor, an undermount sink, green cabinets, black splashback, panelled appliances and no island.

Photo of a large transitional open concept family room in Toronto with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, a wall-mounted tv, dark hardwood floors and brown floor.

It’s been said that when you dream about a house, the basement represents your subconscious level. Perhaps that was true in the past, when basements were often neglected. But in most of today’s new builds and remodels, lower levels are becoming valuable living spaces. If you’re looking at building or renovating, opening up that lower level with sufficient light can add square footage and value to your home. In addition, having access to bright indoor areas can help combat cabin fever, which peaks in late winter. Looking at the photos here, you’d never know what you’re seeing is a lower level. That’s because a smart builder knew that bringing natural light into the space was key. Our job, in furnishing the space, was to make the most of that light. The off-white walls and light grey carpet provide a good base. A grey sectional sofa with clean, modern lines easily fits into the spacious room. It’s an ideal piece to encourage people to spend time together. The strong, forgiving linen resists staining, and like a blank canvas this true neutral allows for accessorizing with various throws and pillows depending on the season. The cream-colored throw echoes the light colors in the space, while the nubby pillow adds a textured contrast.

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern enclosed living room in San Diego with a home bar, white walls, painted wood floors, a standard fireplace, a metal fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

©Finished Basement Company
This is an example of a large transitional walk-out basement in Minneapolis with grey walls, carpet, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and grey floor.

IgniteXL™ (XLF100) stands apart as more lifelike and visually stunning than anything that came before it. With new, patented flame and heat technology, IgniteXL transforms the look and feel of any room. Installation is simpler and more flexible than ever, making the possibilities almost endless. Enjoy flawless panoramic views that ignite the senses from any angle.

Landmark Photography - Jim Krueger
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional formal open concept living room in Minneapolis with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround, no tv, carpet and beige floor.

David Justen
Design ideas for a large modern enclosed living room in Dusseldorf with white walls, medium hardwood floors, a plaster fireplace surround and a wall-mounted tv.

Modern bedroom by Burdge Architects & Associates in Serra Retreat. Malibu, CA Photo by Berlyn Photography
Design ideas for a contemporary master bedroom in Los Angeles with black walls, dark hardwood floors, a ribbon fireplace, a concrete fireplace surround and brown floor.