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This basement was an unused, impractical space for my family. Now, it’s the go-to room for relaxing and spending time together. I can’t get over the transformation our basement went through during the renovation process!
When we bought this house the unfinished basement was definitely not the most beautiful room or a space we’d naturally be drawn to spend time in.
We decided it was high time to put it to good use and utilize this spacious area for the family. After all, there was ample space to really do something magnificent here. I searched high and low on Pinterest for the best simple finished basement ideas. Then, I watched my visions come to life!
I am thrilled to show you today the end result of this basement makeover project!
Before I show you all the pretty “after” pictures, let’s take a quick stroll down memory lane to what the basement looked like before the basement remodeling began.
The “Before”
Concrete floors, dark wood paneling walls, outdated design, and dingy vibes were among the list of things I wanted to change about this space!
As you can see, nothing about this screams inviting!
Not exactly an appealing space, am I right? Not only is it very outdated, but there’s no warmth or practical use of the space. I just knew we could turn this extra space into something worth our money!
A great way to get started is cleaning. We swept, mopped, and dusted for a fresh start. We removed everything out from the space and then got to work on our basement project!
Design Plan
The first step to any major room makeover is planning! Before the renovations commenced I planned out a basement design that helped the space feel more functional. If you’ve never planned a room layout before, this is the perfect opportunity.
That way, you’ll find the perfect place for each piece of furniture before overspending or bringing in things you don’t actually need.
My design plan for the basement remodel included a navy couch and some more rustic/farmhouse style furniture. I paired everything with a classic palette of blueish gray and cool marble.
The “After”
Now, without delay, I am thrilled to share our new and improved basement family room! Personally, I felt that everyone involved did a great job and the end result came out exquisite. Not to mention our home’s value has now increased!
I love that we have an extension of the living room now to spend quality time in. I can see a family movie night, gatherings, slumber parties, and more being held down here for years to come.
Lighting
When the sconces and other lighting fixtures are turned on, there’s a wonderful warm and cozy feeling down here.
The best part is this space has a ton of natural light thanks to new windows and recessed lighting. The dark paneling is long gone and replaced with new drywall and a fresh coat of paint. That alone was a huge transformation!
Furniture
The TV stand, coffee table and end table were all from Raymour & Flanigan. They were a great option and the furniture was a reasonable price point while remaining high quality.
Many of their furniture and decor pieces are available online which is great news if you don’t live in the Northeast but have them on your wish list.
I love the navy blue couch that we picked! The material is a really soft (almost chenille) type fabric and it will be great to hide the stains the kiddos inevitably will leave! We also ordered some custom matching pillows for a small additional cost. Well worth it!
Fireplace
The fireplace got a complete makeover too, with beautiful Carrara marble tile from Tile Bar. I painted the inside, the hearth and added a new mantel to finish it off. I think this may be my favorite part of the whole makeover. It adds such a fresh yet classic touch.
The basement stairs even got some fresh carpet and paint, too.
At the last minute we realized we needed another piece of furniture for the back wall to help break things up. We purchased this sideboard on sale at Wayfair and it’s perfect! At 66 inches long it’s the perfect length but it’s not terribly deep so it fits perfectly.
It’s a very heavy and solid piece of furniture so if you’re looking for something similar I can definitely recommend it.
Accents
I love all the gold accent pieces. Both the picture frames on the mantel and the lamp have some gold to help pull the look together.
Here’s a closer look at the coffee table as well as the rug that I decided to layer over the new carpet.
The rug helps to create some separation and defines the seating area nicely. The rug itself is a fun print with some blues and navy that work nicely with the couch.
I’d highly suggest checking out Rugs USA for area rugs to match your own home! They have just about something for everyone.
The artwork is from Minted and I think each piece is so beautiful. Simplistic elegance is what I was going for and these fit the bill!
They help complete the room without being too “in-your-face” and the colors within each piece of artwork work wonderfully with the clean and bright theme of the living space.
Basement Source List
- Wall color: Reflecting Pool by Behr (Mixed in Sherwin Williams)
- Couch: Jonathan Louis (custom-ordered)
- Navy Patterned Throw Pillows: Custom made with couch order
- TV Stand: Raymour & Flanigan
- Coffee Table: Raymour & Flanigan
- End Table: Raymour & Flanigan
- Marble Tile: TileBar
- Artwork: Minted (first piece)
- Lamp Shade: Target
- Sconces: Wayfair
- Sideboard: Wayfair
- Rug: Rugs USA
- “S’ napkins: HomeGoods
- Faux Flowers/Branches: Michael’s
- Blue/White Plaid Pillows: Target Dollar Spot
- Drinking Glasses: Target Dollar Spot
- Gold & Silver Basket: HomeGoods
- Picture Frames: Michaels
Final Thoughts
The goal for our previously unused lower level was to create a family hangout room that we all love. I wanted to turn the space into very useable square footage. By incorporating different styles – modern, classic and even a bit of farmhouse – I’ve created a beautiful basement space that I know we will enjoy for a long time.
Oh and if you guys are wondering about the entire basement (there’s another side that we also simultaneously remodeled) – yes, it is finished but it has no furniture and it’s not ready for pictures. I’ll be sharing that in the next few weeks, hopefully!
If you are contemplating basement remodeling, I highly recommend taking the plunge. Yes, it can be quite a lot of money and seem like a daunting task, but to suddenly have this entire new level of living in our home is worth every penny we spent!
Beautiful basement remodel. Regarding the gorgeous wall color, Reflecting Pool by Behr, what does “Mixed in Sherwin Williams” mean?
It means I went to the Sherwin Williams store and asked for Behr Reflecting Pool. I didn’t use Behr paint, just the Behr color.
Hey Jenna! Just took a virtual tour of your basement reno reveal, and I am completely blown away! Your transformation is nothing short of spectacular – from a basic basement to this cozy, chic space, it’s like magic happened.
The color scheme and design choices are on point. I can’t believe how the space evolved from a blank canvas to a warm, inviting area. Your attention to detail is evident in every nook and cranny. I especially love the way you’ve played with textures and patterns – it adds so much character to the space.
The before-and-after pictures are like a jaw-dropping revelation. It’s inspiring to see what a vision and some hard work can achieve. The fact that you’ve shared the process and the challenges along the way makes it even more relatable.
Thanks for taking us on this journey. I’m feeling inspired and ready to tackle my own home projects. Your basement reno is not just a reveal; it’s a masterclass in home transformation. Kudos on a job exceptionally well done! 🏡✨👏
What a great reveal! I am in renovation and development business, looking around to get fresh ideas and came across this. It looks really great, cozy and elegant. What a transformation!
Thanks so much, Colin!
The transformation was elegantly done. Made the room look larger and very cozy. It made me feel like I would want to be there to relax and enjoy a good book.
Thanks so much, Barbara! It definitely does feel so much larger! xo
So Beautiful! Your site is great source of inspiration for all the people searching for design ideas. congrats!
Thank you so much!