How to Finish a Basement

Finishing a basement yourself is a great idea to make good use of the extra space. By doing this project yourself you don't have to hire a contractor. Just good planning can help you to finish a basement, enabling you to transform your old dull space into an attractive and usable one. However, during basement remodeling or basement finishing make sure you first clean the space well, and install the furniture before decorating it.

The job of finishing a basement demands skill in plumbing, wiring, carpentry, drywalling and painting. If you are a complete DIYer, make sure you are comfortable with the above jobs. Also, take into consideration the time and energy you need to devote for completion of the project. For complete DIY basement finishing project you will need around 6 months. However, finishing a basement hiring professional help might take only a few weeks. So, you can hire professional help for major basement construction jobs which take time and skill, and do other jobs yourself for finishing a basement.

Planning
Some smart planning basement finishing tips can help to complete the project efficiently. A great deal of planning is needed before you start finishing your basement. You can do the planning and layouting of the project on your own if you are on a budget. This will not only save a lot of money, but will allow you to design the basement according to your liking. Decide how the overall space should look like. Make a list of the furniture you need to install, or certain things you need to discard. Take the dimensions of the basement space, and measure the areas where you will be installing the furniture and fixtures. Also, plan out the wiring and plumbing and note down the total budget, and materials you will need to purchase.

Preparing the Space
First of all get rid of all the unnecessary stuff lying in your basement. Discard all the unnecessary stuff, and store the things you will be reusing in cartons. Clear out the work area completely so that you have a clear view. Then moisture proof all the walls, the flooring and ceiling. After this install a sub floor, laminate wooden basement flooring is a good idea, as it is the easiest to install. Install the electrical wiring and sockets roughly, also install the insulation and vapor barrier. Cover all the electric boards with plastic, to protect them during the painting. Make sure you install a drywall; then sand, tape and prime it well. Install the wall trims and then fix the baseboards. Paint the walls with the colors of your choice, but try to stick to light colors as they will give a feeling of a more open space.

Installing Furniture & Adding Decoration
After you are done preparing the space, install the furniture you planned out in the first stage. For basement finishing you can install a billboard table, a book shelf, a sofa set, etc. Make sure you have enough cabinets and storage space to store the stuff you have kept in the cartons. Another way to use this space is to convert it into a gym, by placing all the gym equipment. Then add the decorating items and lighting. Go for some decent and affordable light fixtures, makes sure there is good lighting in the basement. You can also add some other decorating items like paintings or a flower vase.

Following the above guidelines will help you finish the basement and make use of the basement space for either a gym, a recreational room, or whatever else you want it to be. Also remember that finishing a basement on your own takes time, and it will be a waste of time and money if you decide to abandon it midway. That being said, if you follow the above guidelines, you will soon have your musty old basement converted to a useful space for you and your family to enjoy.