A basement is often viewed as a bonus space in your home. Whether you utilize the space for storage, a playroom for the kiddos, or as an extra living area for your family, the basement is a natural hangout spot. Check out our top ways you can transform your basement to add value to your home.
Thinking of making a basement transformation to get top dollar when you go to sell your home? You can easily find homes online to better suit your needs. Before you sell, effortlessly find the value of your home (after your bonus basement transformation investment, of course!).
If your basement isn’t finished yet, know that, on average, finishing or upgrading your basement will provide you with a 70 to 75 percent return on investment. This means if you put $10,000 into your basement remodel, you will likely get about $7,000 more when you go to sell your home.
Some important things to keep in mind before you decide to remodel your basement include:
- Check your local laws regarding permits
- Consider ceiling height (the higher, the better in a basement space, but the standard is often seven feet)
- Prioritize lighting
- Select practical flooring that can withstand moisture
Splish splash
Our first idea for a basement transformation that adds value to your home is adding or upgrading a bathroom. Not only is this a huge bonus in the function of your home, but adding a bathroom will roughly increase your home value by 10 to 20 percent. Adding a bathroom transforms your basement hangout spot into a livable space and can be a huge selling point for buyers.
When designing your new bathroom, try to remember bright, and light is usually best in a basement. Naturally, the space will be on the darker side, lacking natural light. Try selecting lighter tones for your finishes. You can add contrast and draw the eye upward by painting your crown molding a deeper hue. This will create the illusion of higher ceilings and more vertical space.
Light and bright
Basements tend to be dark by nature. Being underground, they often lack natural light. If you’re considering a transformation to add value to your property, consider replacing the windows to allow for more natural light to stream in. Windows also help with energy efficiency which again can help you get the most out of your remodel. Generally speaking, new windows offer a 70-percent return on investment.
Another great way to upgrade the lighting in your basement is to add ceiling lights throughout. There are various kinds of ceiling lights you can choose from:
1) Track: Track lights use several lighting fixtures mounted on a single strip. These are great for angling the lights to shine in particular directions, like highlighting artwork, for example.
2) Recessed: Recessed lights sit inside the ceiling for a flush look that offers a bright punch.
3) Pendant: Pendant lights hang below the ceiling surface and offer a more stylish look with slightly less function in terms of light offered.
Designated spaces
If your current basement situation is essentially one large room, it can benefit your overall home value to designate spaces in your basement. Having a separate space for a home office, a playroom, or an extra bedroom will turn your basement from added storage into added livable space.
The possibilities for designated spaces in the basement are endless. Some great ideas include:
- Extra living room
- Theater room
- Guest bedroom
- Gym/workout space
- Playroom
- Home office
Remember; however, if you decide to stage and style the designated rooms, be sure during the remodel that the rooms can easily be transformed into whatever your buyer may want. This will ensure you get top dollar for your to remodel investment.
Make it waterproof
If you decide to waterproof your basement, this can be a great selling point that will definitely deliver a good return on your investment. Not only will waterproofing make your listing stand out in the crowd, but it also will make buyers feel more comfortable in the basement space you worked so hard to remodel. You can expect about a 30-percent return when you waterproof your basement.
Generally speaking, waterproofing strengthens your foundation, reduces the off-putting odor of must and mildew, keeps your basement cleaner overall, and eliminates health issues related to mold.
