We are currently exploring basement makeovers on a budget, and want to share all of the ideas and planning tips with y’all.
When living in Ohio, we did a basement remodel on a budget. It was so cool to see the transformation from a scary old basement to a cool hangout space.
Now, we are planning to do another makeover in our new house. Technically, our house is not new, but it’s new to us. If you don’t know, we moved from Ohio to the mountains of NC!
If your basement is outdated or still unfinished, you might be ready for a change. Renovations can be pricey, and most of us are working on a budget when it comes to home projects.
I was thinking about basement makeovers on a budget and decided to share some cool ideas with you all.
You might want to do a complete overhaul, but if your budget doesn’t allow for it, that doesn’t mean you can’t spruce up the space and make it feel brand new!
A finished or updated basement can really add to your property’s value. So, deciding to do a basement makeover is a good choice, even if it’s a minor makeover!
There are a lot of options when it comes to basement makeover projects. You can choose the ones that fit into your budget, and build on those projects over time with more updates.
Let’s get into some ideas for basement makeovers on a budget!
10 Ideas for Basement Makeovers on a Budget
From totally unfinished basements to current living spaces in the basement that need a refresh, here are some great ideas to get you started!
1. Partially finish the basement
This first idea is for those of you with an unfinished basement with a concrete floor and concrete walls.
Starting from scratch,. you’ll have to spend a good chunk of money just to get it finished.
If you have a large space that’s going to be expensive to finish, on top of all of the other costs, you could consider only finishing part of the basement.
Close in half of the space with new basement walls and a drop ceiling rather than completing the entire basement space. As your budget allows, you can go back and finish the rest.
In the picture below, you can see the beginning stages of our first basement makeover. Travis framed in walls to section off areas of the basement.
2. Apply a fresh coat of paint
This option is an easy DIY project. It’s going to be the most inexpensive way you can transform your basement space.
When you’re on a budget and you need something different, paint can transform the look of a space.
Trust me, it will feel totally different just by changing the wall color.
If you currently have a dark color on your basement walls, consider using a light color paint and vice versa.
Fresh paint can go a long way for a basement makeover on a small budget.
Consider these things when you’re choosing a paint color:
- The Color of the Room’s Furnishings: When choosing a paint color, consider the color of what’s already in the room. This will help to create a cohesive look and feel in the room without having to replace anything you already have.
- The Amount of Natural Light: If the room has a lot of natural light, you may want to choose a lighter color to complement the light. Or you may want a darker color since the natural light will help keep the room from feeling too small or closed in.
- The Room’s Purpose: If it is a room for relaxation or entertainment, you might want a more calming color like blue or green. If it is a workspace, you might want to choose a bright, energizing color like yellow or orange.
- The Mood You Want to Create: Colors like red can create a sense of energy, and blues and greens can create a calming atmosphere.
3. Switch up your flooring
Changing your flooring will completely change the look and feel of your basement.
Depending on the size of your space and the type of flooring you choose, a floor makeover can be fairly low cost, or it could end up costing a lot of money.
You’ll need to do your research and see what flooring materials you can afford for your basement makeover on a budget.
Laminate flooring, vinyl flooring (shown below), or carpet tiles are probably the best ways to get new flooring in the most affordable way.
Consider these things when choosing a new type of flooring:
- Durability: Different types of floors have different levels of durability; some are more prone to scratches, dents, and other forms of damage than others.
- Cost: Different types of flooring can vary significantly in price, and the cost may vary depending on the materials used and the installation process.
- Maintenance: Different types of floors require different levels of maintenance, and it’s important to consider how much time and effort you want to put into maintaining the flooring before making your decision.
- Comfort: Comfort is also an important factor to consider when choosing a type of flooring. If your basement serves as a family room where everyone hangs out and relaxes, carpet may be a good choice. If it’s more of a game room-type place, vinyl or laminate flooring may be a better option.
4. Install a wet bar
This can be a really fun basement project! If you like to entertain and your basement space is already a place where you have guests, adding a bar is a no-brainer!
You can DIY this! Build and install your own bar, or, for an additional cost, you can buy a bar and have it installed. It all depends on your skill level and your budget.
5. Install built-in cabinets or shelves
More storage space is always a good idea! No one ever walks into a house and says, “There’s just too much storage space here.”
You’ll be glad you have it! Plus, storage will increase the value of your house if you decide to sell it.
The best part is you can easily DIY a project like this! Create totally custom built-in storage – for a fraction of the price of buying pieces – to add to your space.
A great option, if you have an unfinished basement, would be to frame out a separate storage room with a door.
For our basement remodel, we decided to build an ikea cabinet directly into the wall. Travis did this as he studded the walls to be dry-walled.
The picture below shows the cabinet installed. The trim had not yet been installed, which is why you see the green along the bottom.
6. Update the light fixtures
Lighting fixtures are something that gets installed, and then we go years without even thinking about them or noticing them again. Before we know it, we have majorly outdated fixtures that are actually pretty inexpensive to update.
New lighting is a simple way to make a big difference in your basement space.
You can pair this update with something like the new coat of paint or even the new flooring and have a huge difference once you’re done!
7. Update decor
You don’t need a basement renovation to give the space a makeover! You can do something as simple as rearranging the furniture, adding new area rugs, new throw pillows, or new curtains.
- rearrange furniture
- add new area rugs
- get new furniture covers
- add new throw pillow
- hang new curtains
- add new artwork on the walls
Do all of those things, and you’ll have a totally fresh space! Add new pieces like artwork on the walls that can be the focal point for the room.
8. Update the staircase
Giving that staircase to your basement a makeover can be one of the least expensive projects you tackle!
Simple changes like pulling up old carpet and refinishing the floors underneath, adding a carpet runner, or painting or refinishing the railing can completely change the look of the whole basement.
9. Paint the Ceiling
In our Ohio house, we did this and hit had a huge impact on our basement makeover.
Typically, in unfinished basements, the ceilings are not dry-walled or sheet rocked. Instead, you are left to look at the floor boards and support beams for the first level of your house.
Rather than adding extra cost to install dry-wall or drop ceiling tiles, we chose to paint everything black.
By painting the ceiling black, it created the modern industrial feel we were hoping for.
Travis purchased a paint sprayer, cleared everything out, and sprayed on a couple coats of pain.
Note that you will want to spray the ceiling before hanging drywall and installing new floors.
10. Install an Electric Fireplace
A fireplace brings ambiance and comfort to any space. Installing a wall mounted fireplace is much more budget friendly than a wood burning fireplace that requires a chimney.
For our basement makeover, we installed a wall mounted electric fireplace.
After installing the fireplace, he created a wood accent wall.
Planning Basement Makeovers on a Budget
Before you jump into changing your basement, you’ll want to see what you can do with your budget.
If you have an unfinished basement, you will have to spend more to get the basement ready to be a living space. This pre=spending will be before you can even add the finishing touches.
Follow these steps to get started:
1. Set a Budget:
Set a realistic budget based on what you can afford, not on what you want to do, and then work within what you can afford.
2. Make a List:
Start by writing down what you would like to accomplish in the space and prioritize them according to importance.
3. Research Materials and Costs:
Research the materials and costs associated with the project. Make sure to consider the cost of labor if you will be hiring someone to help.
4. Shop Around:
Compare prices for materials at multiple stores and online to get the best deals. Look for coupons and deals online or in stores to help save money on materials and labor.
5. DIY When Possible:
Try to complete as much of the project as possible yourself to save money. Even if you don’t have the skills or tools to complete the entire project, you may be able to do some of the simpler tasks.
Before you go, here are more posts you’ll enjoy:
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