If your home has a basement, chances are, it’s probably a neglected space demoted to storage purposes. And while storage is always helpful, you might be missing out on the potential of your basement. However, with a bit of imagination and planning, you can turn your basement into an amazing conversion.
Like attics and garages, basement conversions have become all the rage. People have really started to maximise their space and make the most of what they have, no matter how small, transforming places like basements into personalised extensions of their homes.
Whether it’s a living area, utility room or gym, basement conversion ideas are endless – and we’re here to present you with a variety of them for some inspiration.
Table of Contents
- Getting started
- Utility room
- Library
- Games room
- Basement bar
- Gym
- Basement bedroom
- Home cinema
- Playroom
- Final thoughts
Getting started
Whether a large-scale renovation or a smaller DIY project, there are dozens of ways to convert your basement and enhance its functionality. They’re especially great for homes seeking extra space without having the room for back and side extensions. But, before you finalise your basement plans and get going, you’ll want to consider a few things like cost and practicality.
How much does a basement conversion cost?
Basement and cellar conversions can vary in price according to a range of factors. These include the size, the materials required, the purpose of the space and the work that needs doing.
According to recent market research, existing basement and cellar conversions can cost anywhere between £1000 and £2200 per square metre, while excavations and underpinning for a new cellar can cost around £2800 per square metre on average.
Planning permission
Like attics and garages, you might not need planning permission to convert your basement. Your project might fall under permitted development. But excavation, building work and demolition might require permission from your local planning authority or council as well as building regulations approval.
For example, to include a lightwell, railings or skylight at the front of your property, planning permission will likely be needed. You should always check before any work goes underway using the planning portal just to be safe.
It’s also wise to look into freeholder permission if your property is leasehold and/or the Party Wall Act. You may need a Party Wall Agreement with your neighbour if you’re altering or changing a party wall.
How to tell if a basement conversion is to regulations?
To turn your basement or cellar into a habitable area, you’ll need to comply with building regulations, including but not pertaining to fire regulations, waterproofing and moisture resistance, as well as ventilation, wiring and escape routes. It’s important to remember that safety is always a priority, that’s what building regulations are for.
Light and ventilation
Light and ventilation are two key components of a basement conversion, especially for those who want to transform their spaces into habitable basement rooms. The best way to promote natural light in a basement is to use a lightwell or skylight where applicable. If you don’t need natural light, try out a range of lighting options, like overhead lighting, lamps, wall lights and more.
Ventilation, natural or mechanical, should be incorporated into your space using windows, a lightwell or an extractor fan, especially if it’s prone to getting humid. As mentioned before, a lightwell, railings or skylight at the front of your property or anything that affects its exterior appearance will likely need planning permission, so bear this in mind. You should also prioritise space and head height, drainage, waterproofing and insulation.
Head height
A recommended head height for basements is somewhere around 2.4m for practicality and space. If you’re slightly short, or if you’re still feeling a little claustrophobic, look into increasing the head height.
How could you increase the head height in a basement conversion? Digging out and lowering the floor is the common option, but this will probably need approval and planning permission, and will also be more expensive the deeper you go.
Utility room
Utility rooms are a fantastic and functional idea for your basement space. Washing machines and dryers can be hard to squeeze into kitchens, and converting a room into a utility space might not be an option. If so, there’s no better time to clear out your basement and start renovating.
A utility room doesn’t need to be complex. As long as you have access to pipework, plumbing and electricity, throw in a washing machine and a tumble dryer and call it a day. That being said, you might want to jazz it up a little with some new tile flooring, a counter and storage cabinets, and some laundry hampers for organisation.
If your basement is a big enough room for multi-use, you could install a door to separate your utility room from the rest of the space. Sliding doors make a great space-saving option.
Library
Book storage can be difficult, especially if you’re a keen reader or collector. If that’s the case, you might want to think about turning your basement into your own little library.
Basement libraries won’t take too long to create and if you’re looking for small basement ideas, they can make a brilliant option. You’ll want to focus on storage with shelving units and bookcases that display your collection, though stackable and collapsible boxes are great for extra organisation.
If you have the room, add a reading nook or a comfy chair in the corner with a lamp and a side table for drinks and snacks. You might want to think about extra soundproofing too, if you want as much peace as possible.
Games room
Some families are all about board games. Monopoly can be cutthroat when everyone’s involved, and the risk of pieces being thrown at faces might be too much for a room with valuables. If you’re part of a competitive household, game rooms can make cool basement ideas for the whole family.
Your primary focus will be on comfortable seating and a table for board games with enough space to fit everyone around it, as well as for snacks and drinks (be careful though, these make great ammunition in intense arguments).
Basement bar
If you like a tipple but don’t always fancy hitting the clubs, and you’re looking for more modern basement ideas than offices and bedrooms, a basement bar is a fantastic addition to your home. They don’t have to be too complicated either.
More elaborate basement bars may include countertops, shelves and cupboards, taking on the appearance of a small kitchen area, but you can keep it simple with nice décor, a table and comfy chairs. If you really want that bar style, opt for a high table with bar-like stools and low lighting.
Wine racks and drinks carts can look cool in basements, displaying your drinks and fancy glasses without taking up too much space. Invest in one with wheels if you want to move it around easily as you serve each of your guests. Small bowls and dishes for pretzels and nuts add to the experience, so find a spot to store these.
Gym
Going to the gym can be a mission. Expensive memberships, working around peak times, having time to go before or after work – it all just gets a bit complicated. But a home gym in the comfort of your own basement can boost motivation. Before you know it, you’ll be working out more consistently than ever before.
With a gym downstairs, you don’t have to worry about long walks, fuel costs, or even opening times outside of work hours. You can go whenever you want to, blast your own music, and use all the equipment you need. You can customise your space with the correct weights and yoga mats. If you have the space and the funds, you could put in a rowing machine or a treadmill. Walking mats are a good alternative to treadmills and will save you space.
Basement bedroom
Not every home has a spare room. Even when they do, they tend to be reserved for storage and office space, and can’t squeeze in more than a sofa bed, so a bedroom is a fantastic idea for a basement conversion. Whether you have family members who love to visit, need somewhere for friends to stay after nights out, or have a sleepover spot for your children, a basement bedroom could be the perfect solution.
Creating a basement bedroom can vary in difficulty, it depends on how equipped your space is. Some basements might be ready to go, others will need more preparation. Focus on necessities like insulation, ventilation and access – you’ll want the space to be well-ventilated, warm and easy to get to, especially if guests struggle with a narrow staircase. Consider plug sockets that are necessary for electricals, including lamps, phone charges, and any radios or televisions you might want to add. It’s also wise to change any flooring and paint any walls before you bring in furniture.
When it comes to basement bedroom ideas, one of many basement room ideas, you want to prioritise space. If your basement is a bit cramped, focus on minimalist designs. Light and neutral colour schemes make spaces open and bright, whereas busy wallpapers and dark paints feel closed in. Keep furniture to a minimum too. Make the bed the main feature with a few necessities, like a dresser, a bedside table and a hanging rack. Your furniture can help you decide on accessories and décor items – cushions and throws add comfort and style, and lamps make interesting decorative pieces while adding low light to a cosy room. If you opt for plain walls, framed pictures and paintings can give your basement personality without sacrificing the illusion of more space.
Home cinema
Whether you’re a total film buff or just someone who likes to curl up and watch TV on a night in, a home cinema is perfect for basement remodels. Without much or any natural light, you won’t have to worry too much about making the space dark enough. While windows in bedrooms and living rooms can make it hard to see television screens in the daytime, you can use your basement cinema to binge your favourite film series or TV show whenever you wish.
Plug sockets are a must for home cinemas. You’ll need to plug in your television or projector and any lamps or lighting where required. You’ll want to install a comfy seating area with plenty of cushions and blankets, and maybe a coffee table for drinks, popcorn and snacks.
Home cinemas are pretty versatile, too. They can be doubled up and combined with other basement ideas and basement designs like extra living rooms or spaces for gaming and playing Minecraft, Mario Kart and more. Add storage cabinets and cupboards for toys and games or a sliding door to create space for a utility room or office.
Playroom
Finding space to store all your children’s toys can be a challenge. With Christmases and birthdays passing by before you can blink, you might find everything stacked in piles or squeezed into corners. If this is the case, why not turn your basement into a playroom?
By making your basement a playroom, you can create a designated space for toys, games, paints and dolls. LVT flooring is a great option for playrooms as it is easy to maintain and resistant to spills, stains and scratches. Rugs and play mats further soften hard floors for bumps or falls, and bean bags are a fun and functional seating arrangement that’ll make your children beam.
Storage units come in various sizes, providing ample space for baskets and boxes of Lego and toy cars, freeing up space and alleviating clutter in your living room. You might also have room for a television and games console, maybe even a table for some arts and crafts – be sure to utilise every corner and make the absolute most of it, it’s all valuable space.
Final Thoughts
After reading our guide, we hope that you no longer view your basement as an old storage space. Instead, you’ll view it as overlooked potential for something remarkable.
We look forward to seeing you take our basement and cellar conversion ideas and optimise every inch of your home, making use of all and any available space to elevate your finished basement. Whether you envision a cosy living room, a utility room where the noise can’t bother you, or a dedicated gym space, your basement conversion before and after photos are sure to leave you speechless.