Media Rooms
Building a separate media room is one of the most popular themes for
a basement.
The relative darkness and seclusion of the space can make the experience
of enjoying your favorite movies that much more exhilarating.
Your awesome stereo system wont bug the neighbors as much in your
basement, because its position recessed in the ground gives it a
little bit of natural insulation.
The basement is also a great place to stick a smaller TV for the
kids to play video games on, leaving the main living room free for
watching movies. This is often a better alternative to placing a
TV directly into the child's room, as that may tend to isolate them
from the house.
Add a few couches, perhaps a comfy throw rug, and your basement has
the potential to be the most popular room in the house. |

Entertainment Centers

Bean Bag Chairs |
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Game Rooms
Of course a game room can be as simple as a spot at the kitchen table,
but when you designate a space like the basement as the official "game
room", you can get a little bit more elaborate on the accessories you
bring in to enhance the gaming experience.
Items such as poker tables, pool tables, foose ball sets, or air hockey
boards take up way too much space for any home to keep them displayed
for very long. Even chess sets can be quite large and bulky. However
in the basement, you have plenty of extra room for any of these amenities.
Setting aside a separate game room also gives you an excuse to have
events such as family game night, or poker night with your friends.
It can help to create a sense of community between you and those you
care about.
There should also be plenty of room to set up shelves for organizing
all of the collected game sets that you have amassed over the years
and place them in a single location. |

Poker
Tables

Pool Tables

Shelving
Units
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Hobby Rooms
What a great way to reclaim your basement. Set it aside as a private
spot where you can pursue your passions. Quiet, secluded, it is the
perfect place concentrate, and really get passionate about the pursuit
of your dreams.
Many people set aside their basement as a sewing room. Others use it
as a study for writing their next great book. Some love to build, and
decorate the space with their completed hobby's and projects. It can
also be your own private art studio where you explore the boundaries
of your imagination. Anything is possible it is, after all, reclaimed
space.
If you are going to try to do intricate work underground, make sure
that you have plenty of lighting so that you can see what you are doing.
Florescent lights are the choice of many hobbyists, but flood lights,
or even a series of well places lamps can illuminate the space.
If your hobby produces dust or fumes of any sort, you will also want
to get some sort of exhaust fan. Be sure to also open all of the windows
and get as much fresh air into the space as you can.
The lack of windows may be a problem if you have trouble getting
inspired. When decorating your hobby basement, make sure to use
a lot of powerful pieces, that move you on an emotional level.
Don't be afraid to be bold with the decor, as long as it ignites
something within you.
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Sewing
Table

Work
/ Tool Bench

Waterproof
Art Print Rugs |
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Bar / Wine Cellar
What about a downstairs bar? You can entertain guests, unwind at the
end of a long day, or even just go to hide out.
Again the seclusion of the space makes this an ideal theme because
you can keep the liquor in one centralized location, away from children,
or anyone that you don;t want to see it. You can even put a lock on
the basement to keep curious kids from snooping around.
If your floors aren't
finished than the concrete flooring in the basement is virtually impervious
to stain meaning you wont have to worry about spills and drips.
Using your basement as a wine cellar is another great way to get some
use out of this space. The position recessed in the ground makes it
easy to keep the temperature in the space optimal, and the lack of
windows is actually a benefit here, since light does tend to spoil
wine.
Building a small separate room from drywall to keep the wine dark,
and then building a bar around it, can combine these two hobby's to
create a really great room.
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Home Bars

Wine
Racks |
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Fire Place Decor
Adding a vent less, or heatless fireplace to your basement can open
up a number of theme possibilities. On the one hand you could place
some couches and a coffee table around this piece, and you would suddenly
have a wonderful little conversation nook.
Alternatively, put a thick lush rug next to the fireplace and some
attractive ambient lighting, and you have yourself a romantic palace. |

More Pictures & Information |