4nids.com – You’ve spent hours decorating your living room, and it seems to be working so well, you are planning to do the same for your basement. You love the eclectic design and it has been a dream of yours to turn it into an office, art studio or a home theatre room. So now you have all of your furniture and accessories, the floor is tiled and there is no dust, it just needs a little bit of work…but it can be done. Let me show you how to turn your eclectic basement into the perfect playroom for your media center.
Have Matching Basement Furniture
First off, take stock of what you already have in your basement. Do you have a TV, a game system, a couple of comfortable sofas and chairs, a music system and speakers? If you don’t, then look at some of your unused objects to see what pieces you can donate to give your room a new life. It doesn’t have to be anything expensive – just some simple, useful items that you haven’t used in a while. Antiques, books, movie posters, baseball cards, crystal…anything! check out your closets, drawers, cabinets, and basins. Is everything in good working order? If not, then look through them carefully, and remove the ones that have the least use. Chances are, these items will be more useful to you than those that are completely broken and useless.
Look at your windows, especially in the summer. Will you be able to allow natural light in your basement, or will you want to block the most sunlight and heat from getting through? Maybe you want to install new blinds or install more heating and cooling units.
Decide if you want to do a finished floor or a concrete slab. There are pros and cons to both options. A finished flooring gives the room a more authentic look, but it is also the most expensive option. On the other hand, a concrete slab is the easiest type of finishing to do. All you need to do is apply the appropriate stain, and then you can make do with a pretty simple sheet of stone.
Deciding on the Right Type of Eclectic Basement
Once you’ve determined what type of eclectic basement you want, you can begin to actually create it. There are many books and magazines on the subject, as well as videos and online instructions. When planning your remodel, think about the space you have and what pieces best compliment it. Some people love open shelves, while others may prefer closed shelving so they can keep their hands free. You can create whatever environment suits you best.
If you are creating an eclectic basement, make sure that the items you include are things from your own home. You don’t want to look cheap. But remember, you already own the pieces. So if you know you don’t have enough wall space for a particular item, perhaps a new piece or two will do the trick. The same goes for a chair or bed; you can’t always find the perfect match for something that’s already in your basement.
Keep in mind that your eclectic basement won’t exactly match your overall house. That’s why remodeling your house isn’t necessary. If you feel that you need to match the style and architecture of the entire house, you can. Just ensure that everything is proportioned properly. Otherwise, you’ll end up with something that really clashes.
Planning a Proper Basement Remodel
Before you start remodeling your basement, draw up plans and check with home construction companies. They will be able to tell you more about what you can expect once your basement is finished and how much it will cost. If you plan on doing most of the work yourself, take note of these prices. This way, when you get ready to start doing some remodeling, you’ll already have an idea on how much the job will cost you.
Decorating an eclectic basement can be fun. Think about the kind of effect you want and then go for it. Don’t be afraid to experiment a little. It is your home, and as such, you get to decide what goes where. So go crazy on the colors, the materials, and anything else that will make your home unique and a place your friends and family will always want to visit!
