Basement Ideas and Designs
What type of home is suitable for a basement conversion?
A basement conversion is particularly suitable for urban homes on small plots and can offer the perfect solution for extending a terraced or semi-detached urban home. Whilst it is typically more costly to convert a basement than to complete a loft conversion or extension, for those that have already completed these renovations or where even more space is required, extending below ground can be the best option. The best candidates are homes with an existing cellar and it is just a case of deepening or expanding the existing space. If you don't have a cellar, a retro-fit basement can be created but a project of this magnitude will require additional time and money.
What room should I turn my basement or cellar into?
The proximity of the basement conversion to the living areas and internal infrastructure of the house make it ideal for additional living, recreational and utility rooms. It can also lend itself well to creating an entirely separate, self-contained annexe or apartment. If you’re just extending your house for some extra space to play with, the basement ideas you could have are the stuff of dreams: home gyms, snooker rooms, wine cellars, home bars and indoor swimming pools are among the most exciting uses.
How should I tackle a cellar or basement conversion?
The best thing to do is contact a professional to assess how feasible it will be to have a basement conversion or excavation in your home. There’s no point looking at lots of basement ideas if it would actually be structurally impossible to install a basement room. You should also check what permissions and consents you will need before beginning a project like this – a basement conversion can be very disruptive for you and neighbours so you need to make sure you are legally allowed to go ahead with the conversion first. Your chosen contractors will then need to underpin foundations for support, completely waterproof the basement and build in the internal walls. Then, all the finishing touches, staircases, flooring and electrics will need to be completed. Remember to consider internal balconies or mezzanines, as well as light wells and perhaps sunken terraces outside of the basement to introduce as much light as possible.
Start browsing through the photos on Houzz to get some basement ideas and inspiration. You can start saving your favourite photos to ideabooks and then contact professionals that have worked on projects you like.
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Petr Krejci
Design ideas for a contemporary basement in London with white walls and multi-coloured floors.
Work a wallPicture shelves that have a lip to hold the images in place or grooves to position them in – or both – are designed for leaning. But why not follow the example of this living space, where the arrangement’s continued at floor level with a grouping where there’s no shelf? The result is an individual feature wall that can be reworked as the mood grabs. With so many pictures on show, copying this idea of sticking to a monochrome display is a good discipline, so the parts work as a whole. - susanne_buck
Lyndon Douglas
Inspiration for a contemporary basement in London.
skylight, sliding door, patio layout - neatguy6908
Traditional walk-out basement in Surrey with light hardwood flooring.
ideas for us.. layout is similar to ours. - awanish_kumar
Inspiration for a contemporary basement in London with light hardwood flooring and beige floors.
Maybe combine games room with gym. Love the golf game - webuser_475476958
Firth Associates Limited / Transform Your Home
This is an example of a basement in Other.
Walls style and light around screen - bturner91698
This is an example of a contemporary basement in London.
not like this ! need bigger gap out to steps etc otherwise is dark - rcombs49
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Shower room
Inspiration for a modern basement in London.
Design ideas for a basement in London.
Mah Jong with pretty extra cushions - maria_michopoulou
Photography | Simon Maxwell | https://simoncmaxwell.photoshelter.com
Jordi Barreras
Photo of a large modern fully buried basement in London with white walls, light hardwood flooring and no fireplace.
A table is useful in any apartment, for dining or gathering round for a drink, cards or a board game. This simple, graphic design is made from the same grey oak as the desk and both pieces boast interesting, angled legs, for a chic, harmonious feel at this end of the space. The table’s circular shape is super sociable — just pull up another chair or chunky wooden stool — and it’s flanked by comfortable, classic Danish-designed chairs in solid wood. The dining area is finished with moon pendant lights which create warm light over the table and intimately zone the space.
Small contemporary fully buried basement in London with grey walls and no fireplace.
Uses all available space without feeling cluttered - tracey_austyn
This is a basement sitting room. We've kept it bright by using vibrant and light colours and fabrics. The Living Wall helps to 'bring the outside in'.
I like the green wall (foliage?) outside. Assume it’s to reduce air pollution. - nickcole1953
For light to penetrate into the basement, we designed and installed this glass balustrade. The glass is fixed by studs resin-bonded into the concrete, then secured with round stainless steel bosses.