Transform Your Basement into a Family Room

Have you been thinking about a cozy family room for your home?  If you have a basement that is seldom used, you might want to consider transforming it into a room your family will enjoy.  Adding on to your house can be extremely costly; with a basement, you can make a few minor changes and have a room that is comfortable, relaxing and inviting. 

Basements can be cold, damp and to be truthful, a bit scary at times.  When you think about changing it into a family room it may not sound very appealing at first, but you will be amazed when the project is complete!  

There are a few tasks that need to be completed prior to decorating your new family room.  If the walls are not insulated, you will want to insulate them and make sure that there are no air leaks around doors or windows; assuming your basement isn't completely underground.  You don’t want them to allow the cold air during the winter months.  Make the room airtight and finish out minor details before transforming the space into your family room.

If the walls and ceilings of your basement were never finished, do this before moving your furnishings in.  Also make repairs if there are any rough spots or holes before painting.  On the walls, consider a light colored paneling or paint.  By painting your walls, you get to choose any color you like and decorate the room with furnishings and accents that complement or contrast one another.

You can make your basement a room you will absolutely fall in love with by adding a few updates.  If you have avid readers in your household, build a bookshelf along an entire wall. If there are no windows in the room, hang a large mirror and surround it with curtains as you would a window for a unique effect! 

Decorating a basement can be fun, especially if the entire family joins in.  Since this is a room that is especially for the family, put aside your worries about everything being perfect or in its place!  This is a "fun" room, one in which your family can relax and enjoy.  Make it your own by adding anything and everything that makes your family room home.

Even if you take care of any existing leaks or drafts, the basement still tends to be a chilly room.  While that is great in the summer, during the winter it can be a real problem; the concrete flooring only adds to the problem.  To warm up the room and add to the cozy effect, choose carpet.  Many families enjoy a rustic family room; if this is you, consider Spanish tile for the floors but realize that you might want to install in floor heating if you do.  

Carpet is easier on the feet and adds warmth to the room that tiles cannot match, but consider what sort cleaning your floor will require before making your final decision.  Carpet must be vacuumed on a regular basis to maintain its plushness, and should be shampooed occasionally to remove dirt and dust.  Tile floors are easily kept clean with sweeping and mopping.  If you do choose tile flooring, you may want to add warmth and color using accent rugs scattered randomly around the room. 

Whichever you decide on, consider going to the home supply store and bringing home a few samples of each so that the whole family can be involved in the final decision.