Welcome to our basement transformation. A basement can be valuable living space if utilized correctly, adding useable square footage. The space is already there, why not take advantage of it.

Before You Start Your Basement Transformation

One of the first things you need to do is look at the space you have available to you. You also need to take into consideration whether the space being considered for transformation is already climate- controlled. If not, it may need to be addressed during the project. Then you need to prioritize your needs and desires as they relate to the space or spaces you are wishing to add and analyze whether the space available for the basement transformation will accommodate it. For us, it was the need for a home office and the desire for a home theatre.

I have started working from home as an online marketer. I was working off a small secretary desk with my laptop computer, in a small corner of an unused space upstairs. As my activities grew, the need for more space grew. I wanted more desk space, as well as a larger computer, to do my work and increase my productivity.

As for the home theatre, well, as I said before, it was a desire. We wanted to enjoy movies with a true theatre experience, right down to the popcorn. And so we set out on that mission.

The Planning and Design Phase of Your Basement Transformation

The Assessment

First things first. You need to know how much space you have to work with. Take measurements of the space that you have to work with. Getting some graph paper comes in very handy for drawing an outline of the space with all the dimensions. We ended up with 300 square feet, not including the space under the stairs nor the landing at the bottom of the stairs.

The space we converted already had electrical outlets every 8 feet around the entire room. The concrete walls are framed and insulated with drywall covering them. There was a generic white tile floor and a drop ceiling of acoustical tiles. A support beam and center metal support pole perfectly runs down the middle of the room creating a separation point for the two spaces desired. The other amenities present are recessed lighting and HVAC ventilation.

The Layout

As mentioned before, there is a beam running down the center of the room. This created a natural separation of the two spaces. It created 165 square feet for the theatre side and 135 square feet for the home office. Definitely enough space with the proper layout.

After a lot of brainstorming, it was decided that the best use of the space under the stairs would be a snack bar/concession stand if you will. Due to its location, in reference to the theatre area, it was going to be a perfect fit. The traffic flow and accessibility were also taken into consideration at this point.

The Home Office for The Basement Transformation

Design Planning

The location for the home office was pretty much decided by the pre-existing beam in the room and the location of the stairs. Due to the dimensions of the space 15ft by 9 ft and the fact that the one 15 ft span was open to the theatre dictated the careful selection and placement of any furnishings.

After a lot of measuring and consideration, it was decided that for this space a corner desk would be the best fit, Shopping and choosing the right one was a challenge but we conquered it. The final choice was a corner desk with a hutch only on one side. And it had to be the correct side due to a window located on one of the walls. The dimensions were important as well because we couldn’t have any furniture protruding into the theatre space.

Along with the corner desk, storage had to be considered. The selection of two lateral files and a bookcase were incorporated into the design. With enough space for a comfy, high back, rolling desk chair and a side chair for a guest to sit. After all of the design planning for the home office, we found that we had enough space for two large dog kennels. Don’t worry, they spend their days free, running around all three levels of the house and the yard.

Lighting and Ambiance

We were fortunate that the space already has recessed lighting but that alone is not sufficient for a home office. A task light on the desk and some decorative table lamps round out the lighting needs for this space, creating a nice, well-lit atmosphere. A method of controlling the office and theatre recessed lighting separately was discovered as well, even though they are all operated from the same light switch. They are now dimmable and color-changing, creating any relaxing atmosphere that you can imagine.

We painted the walls a soft, relaxing color and even sprayed the ceiling tiles to match. The bookcase is filled with books on the lower shelves and the upper shelves house a car collection and photographs. Then, with the addition of the decorative table lamps and minimal artwork to finish the space off.

Technology Makes It Easier

Internet is so important in today’s world. I could not do what I do without it. Thanks to wi-fi and the addition of a mesh system, we have internet signals all over the house with a reliable, high-speed connection, even on our patio, in our shed and back yard. No more cable TV, they’re all wi-fi. It also provides a great signal for cell phones.

Thanks to today’s technology, we don’t have to hardwire or run as many cables as in the past. With wireless technology, we have cordless phones, wi-fi for internet and printers, a wireless mouse and keyboard, and even wireless thermostats and lighting controls.

There are, at the end of the day, still cables to consider. We are going to have those lamp cords and other power cables to contend with. You should bundle them together and keep them out of the way for safety reasons and appearance.

With all of today’s technologies, we all have to protect ourselves from harmful EMFs. All kinds of protections are available as the technology to combat and live harmoniously with today’s technology has advanced to unprecedented levels. EMF Protection for your person is available, there are many options available.

The Home Theatre for the Basement Transformation

Design

The location, as mentioned before, was pretty much determined by the location of the office design and the proposed snack bar location. The flow around the spaces was also taken into consideration.

The placement and selection of the theatre seating and screen placement were decided by the dimensions of the theatre, 15ft by 11ft, and the fact that half, a 15ft section, was open to the office. Different seating options had to be considered due to the pole in the center. The options were individual seats, double seating units or even a 4 or 5-seat unit.

The later ended up being eliminated due to the placement of the pole and the singles were eliminated due to the bulk of each chair. Remember, we are dealing with theatre seating that can be quite bulky but oh-so comfortable. Two of the double units were decided on, creating seating for four people. Individual power headrests and reclining features as well as ambient, under seat lighting and even cup holders for all.

Sight and Sound for the Theatre

You can’t have a home theatre without something to look at now, can you? An 85″ Samsung QLED smart television screen was placed on the 15ft solid wall with each seating block placed on either side of the pole ever so slightly angled inward toward the center of the screen. The viewing distance from the screen gives you the same effect as if you were in a traditional movie theatre. The actual distance from the screen is 8ft.

As for sound, surround sound is a must. Some systems incorporate many speakers but we stuck with a 5.1 system. This means that there are 5 separate channels of sound. Center, left and right front, and left and right rear. That makes the 5 and the .1 is the sub-woofer on its own channel. We chose the Bose system for exceptional sound quality.

The front speakers are placed 15 feet apart on either side of the screen, concealed behind the theatre draperies and the rear speakers are placed 15 feet apart as well in the rear of the entire room (the office) 20 feet from the screen, which is 8.5 feet behind the seating area. The subwoofer can be placed anywhere because its sound is non-directional and it is also cordless. Big sound effects never sounded better!

Surfaces to Enhance the Basement Transformation

The flooring in the entire space, all 300+ square feet of it, needed to be addressed. The cold, white, cracked in some places, tile wasn’t going to measure up in the transformed spaces. A new dri-core subfloor was placed over the tile then covered with a waterproof-vapor barrier underlayment. Finally, a laminate, water-resistant, wood flooring was placed on top to finish it off. It provides warmth and acoustical value to the space along with a soft natural feel under foot. It’s not hard on the eyes either. Major upgrade, and aesthetically pleasing.

The ceiling acoustical tiles were spray-painted black. And an almost black dark blue paint was selected for the walls in the theatre. Doors and baseboards are painted black and the pole in the middle is boxed in to become a column. Two faux half columns are then put at each end of the beam, aesthetically balancing everything and all of the columns are painted in a gold leaf color enhancing their appearance. A large area rug is placed in between the seating and the screen which provides additional acoustical value and provides a warming decorative appearance.

Curtains

For the best sound quality and theatre experience, Full-length, floor-to-ceiling, black drapes were installed around the entire theatre space providing the best acoustics possible. They are on tracks so that they can move and open. They are even installed across the beam in the center of the room acting as a room divider that when closed, creates a backdrop behind the theatre seating and creates two separate rooms.

Lighting, My Favorite Basement Transformation

A theatre needs the proper lighting. So, we have 4 recessed lights in the theatre. As discussed in the home office section, we discovered a product that allows you to retrofit the can fixtures with app-controlled lights that can be grouped or operated individually. We programed them in groups. One group is the theatre with four lights and the other is the home office with two lights. They are dimmable and color-changing with infinite colors available.

So, you can have the home office lit in soft white while over in the theatre, you have a blue (or color of your choice) atmosphere. Cool, right? We added color-changing wall sconces to the columns and auto-on wall sconces to the stairwell. Then there is a vertical color-changing light bar tower and a color-changing up light in a tree in the corner. The possibilities are endless. Oh, and all of that is LED of course! So, with dimmed lights, black theatre drapes and black ceiling, when the movie starts, the surrounding room fades away into an infinite spacial environment bringing you front and center into the movie.

Must Have Snack Bar

Design and Planning

Under the stairs we go. The perfect place for a snack bar in our Basement Transformation, out of the way of traffic and conveniently right next to the home theatre. Shaped like a triangle, you would think presented a challenge when in truth it came together seamlessly. Placing a 24in, three-drawer cabinet, painted black of course, to the right, left room to the left of it for a beverage cooler. And still to the left of that, a place for beverage stock and a trash can. Topped with a counter and voila, you have a snack bar!

Functionality

So, we now have a snack bar with storage and a beverage cooler, what could be missing? In a theatre? A popcorn machine! And there you have it, true theatre popcorn. We found the ultimate theatre accessory, no theatre should be without. Now there is nothing like theatre salted, buttered popcorn, freshly popped. Yum! But I know that there are health-conscious people out there and there is nothing wrong with that. For them, there is a fantastic Protein Popcorn available in three delicious flavors to enjoy during the movie. No one is left out!

The Final Product

A basement transformation can increase the value of your home. It is space that is already part of your home that was probably once looked at as undesirable and or unusable. A desired space that is in use every day as a functioning part of your house with some imagination and determination. For us, it was the need for a home office and the desire to have a home theatre. Therefore, the space is now part of our daily lives. Now we have both without having to put an addition onto the house. You may have a completely different list of needs and or desires. Utilize the spaces that you have through transformation. You’ll be glad you did!

Resources

• FORBES HOME: How To Remodel A Basement
• HGTV: Basement Ideas and Designs
• TITUS: Basement Remodeling Ideas

Thank you for exploring our Basement Transformation. We hope that you are inspired! You should also check out the fireplace that we built by going here: