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6 Simple Ways to Customize Your Basement

Renovating the basement in your Toronto home is like many other home remodeling projects: overwhelming, yet exciting. When it comes to this area of your home, the opportunities are endless. There are many ways you can customize and design this space so it meets your family’s needs, increases your home’s value, adds cosmetic appeal, and so much more. However, before you jump into this long project, there are several things you should consider to ensure it is done correctly and you are happy with the final result. 

 What is your home currently missing? 

 Before your basement remodel, consider what your home is missing. This could be features like a place for your kids to hang out with friends, an area for guests to stay, a designated work or study area, etc. As you focus on your basement remodel, keep this list in mind. 

 How can I make this space comfortable? 

 The basement can be one area of the home that is rarely used. There are several reasons for this, but often, it is because this space is dark, crowded, poorly designed, etc. As you consider various customization options, projects, and layouts for your basement, consider how you can make this space more comfortable and welcoming. When your project is complete, you want to ensure this area of your home is well used. 

 What dirty work is involved? 

 A basement renovation in your Stouffville home is more than simply putting up walls and laying a new floor. There are many hidden details that must be taken care of including electrical and plumbing work to waterproofing. You may also need certain permits and have regular inspections completed as well. You should have a team of professionals handling all these small details to ensure everything is well cared for and you can create your dream living space. 

 Once you have asked yourself the above questions, it is time to get to work. No matter if you want to create the ultimate gathering and entertaining area for your family and friends, desire a few extra bedrooms, or even a home office, here are several simple things you can do to customize your basement and create a beautiful, cozy, and functional living area.

 1. Built-In Storage Options

 Basements can be excellent storage areas. This is the area of your home where you can place the belongings that you don’t need every day but you want to protect and access when necessary. A basement remodel in your Markham home is the perfect opportunity to create custom storage options. 

 Built-in shelves are popular options for any room in your basement. If you have a large living room, consider long, floating shelves for pictures and décor items. Cover one wall in your basement with built-in shelves and turn it into a small library. You can also create a room in your basement and line the space with built-in shelving, making it perfect for food storage, emergency preparedness items, holiday décor, tools, and other miscellaneous items.

 One unique storage option you may also consider is a built-in wine cellar. Customize this area of your home with unique wine bottle storage options such as shelves, drawers, glass holders, etc. To truly make this room shine, consider installing an air ventilation system and provide the proper insulation for all of your wine connoisseur needs. 

 2. Downstairs Laundry Room

Regardless if you have a laundry room on your main floor, an additional laundry room downstairs is an excellent way to provide convenience, particularly for those downstairs bedrooms. Your basement laundry room doesn’t have to be large or extravagant, but it is a great way to customize your space. Add a small sink and lots of cupboards and shelving in the room. You may also consider a small supply closet, which is perfect for all your cleaning supplies and extra linens. 

 3. Children’s Room

If you are looking to build an additional room for your child or you want a place for grandchildren or guests to stay, turn a room in your basement into the ultimate children’s space. Be creative with the different features in this room to give it a unique look and feel. For example, consider built-in bunk beds. This is a great way to open up the room and it offers plenty of floor space for your children to play. 

If you have a teenager who wants his or her own space, you may also consider a built-in desk. A small alcove with a desk and bench seat is a great way to give teens their own space to study. 

4. Forget the Walls

A basement is a part of the home that can cater to multiple interests and be used for many purposes. Often, basements can seem small and cramped. However, with a little creativity and design help, you can still enjoy many of these rooms but with a more open floor plan. 

One option is to create one large, open space for a family room, eating area, and media center.  You may consider using sliding glass walls or barn doors to act as a barrier in the basement but still provide a very open and bright atmosphere. 

Another simple way to break up the different areas of your basement, while still maintaining an open floor plan, is to use unique flooring in each section of your basement. For example, you can install carpet in your family room, hardwood in your eating areas, and rubber mats in your home gym area. 

5. Don’t Forget the Stairs

As your guests walk down into your newly-renovated basement, the first thing they will notice is your stairs. Take the time to truly customize this feature and give it a personal touch. For example, create a unique mural or pattern on the wall, install light-up steps, and more. You may also consider unique and fun railings or built-in shelving along the stairway. If possible, you may want to build your stairs with unique materials such as tile, metal, wood, etc. Have fun with this area of your home and make it a unique and creative focal point. 

 6. Brighten up The Space

There is no reason the basement in your home needs to be dark and dreary. When these areas of your home have very little light, it creates an unwelcoming and bleak space. As you work to customize the basement in your Vaughan home, pay attention to the lighting in the room. Choose unique and elegant light fixtures. Consider pendant lighting above seating areas and accent lighting throughout the entire space. You may also consider smart light fixtures that allow you to dim the lights, turn them off, or flip them on when upstairs or away from the home. 

Additionally, strive to add  natural light. If possible, install large windows or design a walkout basement. For smaller windows, add a creative touch with windows that feature unique designs and accents within the glass panes.

If you choose to work with professionals, like The Renovators of Canada, you will have a basement that you love. These home renovation experts will work with you to apply all of your great ideas and customize a space that not only increases your home’s value but is functional, spacious, and gorgeous. Call The Renovators of Canada today to schedule your consultation.   

Home Additions and How They Add Space and Value to Your Home

No matter if you have been living in your home for many years or it is a recent purchase, you want to create an atmosphere that you love and you are proud to call home. There are many ways that you can spruce up and create a gorgeous living environment, and there are also many upgrades you can make that will improve the functionality, look, and design of your property.

But, if you want to make a significant difference, increase the space in your home, and see a drastic increase in your home’s value, a home addition should be at the top of your list. Let’s take a closer look at home additions, their benefits, and several examples of these large renovations.

Why Choose a Home Addition?

It can be a challenge to determine if a home addition is the right project for your property. Before you proceed with the decision, you want to think about it carefully. There are several questions you can ask to help you make a decision that you don’t regret. These include:  

Is a Home Addition the Best Option or Should I Purchase a New Home?
Many homeowners are faced with the dilemma of adding onto their home or to simply put their house on the market and purchase a new property. While both have their advantages, you will want to weigh several key factors before making your choice such as your budget, time, and future plans.

When you choose to complete a home addition, you have the ability to create a space as you want it.

Do You Have a Budget?

The amount of money you spend on a home addition will vary greatly by the size of the project, the contractors that you hire, and more. You can expect to pay on average $200 per square foot on the home addition but you should work closely with a licensed contractor to stick within your budget and to determine the best places to cut costs if needed.  

Will a Home Addition Address My Concerns?

Do you have a growing family and need more space? Or do you want to increase your home’s value? Will a home addition address your concerns or are there other options that will require less time and money? The more research and thought you put into the project, the more satisfied you will be with the final results.

The Benefits of a Home Addition

As you determine if a home addition in your Toronto house is the best option, you must consider the benefits of this project. Let’s discuss a few.
Helps You Create Your Dream Home
As you work with a licensed contractor to renovate your Markham home, you can let your creative juices flow. You can work with these professionals to create a beautiful, trendy, and stylish living space that not only increases your home’s square footage but also improves the aesthetic appeal of the living space.

Many of the best contractors have galleries of past projects that you can browse through to gather ideas and implement small details into your project to create a truly customized and functional area.
Gives You More Room
For many individuals, they consider a home addition because of the increased square footage in the home. Whether you are adding a new room, bathroom, or even a garage, you have more space for your entire family and lifestyle needs.
Increases Your Home Value
One of the greatest benefits of a home addition is how this one project will greatly increase the value of your home. The type of room and the amount of square footage you add will affect your home’s value.

For example, adding a new bathroom to your home will give you the biggest return on your investment — an average of 86%. On average, you can expect that for every 1,000 square feet you add, you can increase your home’s value by up to 30%.  

However, keep in mind that there are several factors that will impact the return you receive and your increase in value. A few of these include:

  • The quality of the home addition. If it is done by professionals, you will receive more than if it is a DIY project.
  • The room must be functional to be beneficial.
  • The flow from the original home to your addition is smooth.
  • You use high-quality materials to complete the addition.

It is best to work with a licensed contractor to complete this project and ensure you have the expertise and the knowledge to complete a beautiful, functional, and usable space.

Home Addition Ideas for Your House

As mentioned previously, one of the advantages to completing a home addition is you have the ability to create a home that you love — that you are proud to call your own. There are also many ways you can transform your indoor living space and ensure you have the space and features that you love. A few home addition ideas for your house include:

A New Bathroom

If you are considering selling your home in the future or your family is growing, a bathroom addition may be ideal. The cost of full bathroom additions will vary depending on the size of your project and the many features and appliances you plan to include. If you want to cut costs, you may consider building a half bathroom with just a sink and toilet. This is also a much faster and more simple project but you still reap many benefits.

Or, if you do not want to complete a full bathroom addition in your home, you can expand a current one to add more space and make the room more functional. Consider implementing more storage space and features such as a walk-in shower or a large vanity.

A Laundry Room
Many homes may have a laundry room in their garage or basement. By building a laundry room on the main floor of your house, you not only increase your home’s value but you make this dreaded chore much more enjoyable. Having a laundry room on the main floor is also a major selling perk if you plan to sell your home in the future. Consider incorporating a mudroom into this area of your home as well for even more appeal.
A Sunroom
A sunroom is an excellent way to bring the outdoors inside. You can add large windows, skylights, and doors to create a bright and beautiful area. Brainstorm ideas with your contractor about how to include various features into this space to turn this room into a beautiful indoor living area.
A Family Room
You may feel like the most visited areas of your home are tight and difficult for your entire family to sit in and enjoy. By adding a large family room, your home not only looks bigger, but it is more comfortable, aesthetically appealing, and livable.
Expand the Kitchen
A large, open kitchen is all the rage and if you are considering selling your home in the future, it will greatly attract potential buyers. Rather than add a new room onto your home, just expand your current one. Add more square footage to allow for more counter space, sitting areas, and more.

If you are considering a home addition in your Canada house, contact a licensed contractor such as The Renovators of Canada.They can help you create the indoor living space that you desperately desire. Whether you are looking to add a new living room or even expand your kitchen, they can help you every step of the way. Plus, you can browse their gallery of past projects to help you generate creative and unique ideas to truly transform and turn your home into your dream living space.

Getting the Most Out of Your Basement

The Dream is Within Reach

Basement renovations have become incredibly popular for many reasons, but the main reason has been to take advantage of the extra square footage that you have sitting below your main floor. Basements are being renovated with more sophistication. Whether it is a new home office, gym, bedroom, family room, or even sometimes a kitchen!  The basement has given many families the square footage they need to turn their home into a dream home! With more complex basement renovations, means more opportunities for poorly renovated basements. To eliminate the possibilities of a poor renovation, asking a professional to work with you on your renovation plan is significantly important. A professional can help guide you in the right direction. A professional can also take care of all the stress that is attached to performing a renovation. Most likely you have a budget for this basement renovation, and having a professional show you your options in that price range is important as well. Beginning a renovation that is clearly out of your price range can lead to you spending much more dough than you had originally planned to spend. Hiring professional costs money, but this initial investment will allow you to stick to your budget and to renovate your basement perfectly.

Lighting Changes Everything!

I am only going to discuss one significantly important factor to consider when performing a basement renovation. Many people looking to renovate their basements forget to add quality recessed lighting. This means installing lights into the ceiling of your basement. The reason I am emphasizing this aspect of the basement, is due to the fact that most basements have little natural light. Windows tend to be quite small in basements, therefore giving off a dark and sometimes dingy feel. Adding excellent lighting in your basement will give your basement the brightness it needs to be a welcoming space for your family and friends. Recess lighting also saves a lot of space that would otherwise be wasted on lamp space. Saving on space for lamps will give you the ability to truly take advantage of the extra square footage you are accumulating through your basement renovation.

O Canada

Our next blog will include more tips on basement renovations. Living in Canada may give us a tough winter, but having the extra square footage is excellent for us Canadians. We should all use our basements wisely, and this is why we will be creating another blog on basement renovation! We want to help you create your dream home! Remember, if you are going to dream, you might as well dream big!

Written By: Jake Fortinsky

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