The rec room is meant to transition uses over time and even each day. Designed for a young family. The space is a play room,l guest space, storage space and movie room.

great use of space turning this staircase area into a kids playhouse. complete with motion sensor light for safety and gorgeous shiplap walls
Design ideas for a transitional fully buried basement in Chicago with vinyl floors.

This 1933 Wauwatosa basement was dark, dingy and lacked functionality. The basement was unfinished with concrete walls and floors. A small office was enclosed but the rest of the space was open and cluttered. The homeowners wanted a warm, organized space for their family. A recent job change meant they needed a dedicated home office. They also wanted a place where their kids could hang out with friends. Their wish list for this basement remodel included: a home office where the couple could both work, a full bathroom, a cozy living room and a dedicated storage room. This basement renovation resulted in a warm and bright space that is used by the whole family. Highlights of this basement: - Home Office: A new office gives the couple a dedicated space for work. There’s plenty of desk space, storage cabinets, under-shelf lighting and storage for their home library. - Living Room: An old office area was expanded into a cozy living room. It’s the perfect place for their kids to hang out when they host friends and family. - Laundry Room: The new laundry room is a total upgrade. It now includes fun laminate flooring, storage cabinets and counter space for folding laundry. - Full Bathroom: A new bathroom gives the family an additional shower in the home. Highlights of the bathroom include a navy vanity, quartz counters, brass finishes, a Dreamline shower door and Kohler Choreograph wall panels. - Staircase: We spruced up the staircase leading down to the lower level with patterned vinyl flooring and a matching trim color. - Storage: We gave them a separate storage space, with custom shelving for organizing their camping gear, sports equipment and holiday decorations. CUSTOMER REVIEW “We had been talking about remodeling our basement for a long time, but decided to make it happen when my husband was offered a job working remotely. It felt like the right time for us to have a real home office where we could separate our work lives from our home lives. We wanted the area to feel open, light-filled, and modern – not an easy task for a previously dark and cold basement! One of our favorite parts was when our designer took us on a 3D computer design tour of our basement. I remember thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, this could be our basement!?!’ It was so fun to see how our designer was able to take our wish list and ideas from my Pinterest board, and turn it into a practical design. We were sold after seeing the design, and were pleasantly surprised to see that Kowalske was less costly than another estimate.” – Stephanie, homeowner

This huge sectional from West Elm (it’s 13 feet long!!) gives plenty of seating and fills the space. It turned out that the cats liked the new sofa as much as the humans… not good. So the homeowner brilliantly layered a few Mexican blankets and a sheepskin over the cushions and arms of the sofa to protect it from the cats, and inadvertently added a level of bohemian texture and pattern to the room that is absolutely fantastic!

Basement remodel with living room, bedroom, bathroom, and storage closets
This is an example of an expansive transitional look-out basement in Other with blue walls, vinyl floors and brown floor.

Great under the stairs space idea
This is an example of a mid-sized transitional walk-out basement in DC Metro with vinyl floors, no fireplace and brown floor.

Speakeasy entrance.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional fully buried basement in Chicago with a home bar, grey walls, vinyl floors, a wood fireplace surround and grey floor.

Design ideas for a large transitional walk-out basement in Chicago with grey walls, vinyl floors, a ribbon fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and grey floor.

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional look-out basement in Grand Rapids with beige walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a brick fireplace surround and grey floor.

Large transitional fully buried basement in Columbus with beige walls, vinyl floors and brown floor.

Multi-Purpose Basement By removing the drop-ceiling, creating a large cased opening between rooms, and adding lots of recessed lighting this basement once over run by kids has become an adult haven for weekend parties and family get togethers. Quartz Countertops Subway Tile Backsplash LVP Flooring 205 Photography

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional fully buried basement in Wilmington with grey walls, beige floor and vinyl floors.

Built-In storage featuring floor to ceiling doors. White flat panel with detail.
Mid-sized transitional walk-out basement in DC Metro with white walls, vinyl floors, no fireplace and multi-coloured floor.

Originally the client wanted to put the TV on one wall and the awesome fireplace on another AND have lots of seating for guests. We made the TV/Fireplace a focal point and put the biggest sectional we could in there. Photo: Matt Kocourek

Basement Remodel with multiple areas for work, play and relaxation.
Photo of a large transitional fully buried basement in Chicago with grey walls, vinyl floors, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace surround and brown floor.

Our clients came to us to transform their dark, unfinished basement into a multifaceted, sophisticated, and stylish, entertainment hub. Their wish list included an expansive, open, entertainment area with a dramatic indoor/outdoor connection, private gym, full bathroom, and wine storage. The result is a stunning, light filled, space where mid-century modern lines meet transitional finishes. The mirrored backsplash, floating shelves, custom charcoal cabinets, Caesarstone quartz countertops and brass chandelier pendants bring a touch of glam to this show-stopping kitchen and bar area. The chic living space includes a custom shuffleboard table, game table, large flat screen TV and ample seating for more entertaining options. Large panoramic doors open the entire width of the basement creating a spectacular setting for indoor-outdoor gatherings and fill the space with an abundance of natural light.

There is a space for everyone in the family in this expansive finished basement. One side of the basement houses a gym and playroom.
Photo of an expansive transitional walk-out basement in New York with blue walls, vinyl floors and brown floor.

The space under the basement stairs was opened up to create a niche with built-in drawers and a bench top perfectly sized for a twin mattress. A recessed bookshelf, extendable sconce, and a nearby outlet complete the mini-refuge.

Beautiful, large basement finish with many custom finishes for this family to enjoy!
Large transitional walk-out basement in Minneapolis with grey walls, vinyl floors, a stone fireplace surround, grey floor and a corner fireplace.