I didn't know how I wanted to use the basement when I bought so I left it unfinished.
Thirteen years later, started thinking about selling and major life changes so decided it would sell better with a finished basement.
I planned out a room that could double as a bedroom or a storage room with home theatre adjacent. Drew out my plans for permitting and started costing/researching materials and installation. Ultimately, I installed a drop ceiling with narrow grid with primarily white tiles (taupe and translucent feature tiles), laminate stone look flooring over dry core insulated base, finished some drywall the builder didn't do (note to self - if I buy another house, I will make sure the builder finishes the stairway to the basement...), a bit of electrical to install a bathroom fan and some additional lighting and plugs, minor HVAC changes, walnut accents to cover HVAC and exposed piping (incorporating some shelving), drywall the stairs and outer wall, paint, wallpaper then finished the stairs with two tone carpet in a French cap finish. It kept me busy between trips out of town dealing with a family situation. I enjoyed all aspects, many of which I'd never done before but I grew up in a handyman family.
I didn't know how I wanted to use the basement when I bought so I left it unfinished. Thirteen years later, started thinking about selling and major life changes so decided it would sell better with a finished basement. I planned out a room that could double as a bedroom or a storage room with home theatre adjacent. Drew out my plans for permitting and started costing/researching materials and installation. Ultimately, I installed a drop ceiling with narrow grid with primarily white tiles (taupe and translucent feature tiles), laminate stone look flooring over dry core insulated base, finished some drywall the builder didn't do (note to self - if I buy another house, I will make sure the builder finishes the stairway to the basement...), a bit of electrical to install a bathroom fan and some additional lighting and plugs, minor HVAC changes, walnut accents to cover HVAC and exposed piping (incorporating some shelving), drywall the stairs and outer wall, paint, wallpaper then finished the stairs with two tone carpet in a French cap finish. It kept me busy between trips out of town dealing with a family situation. I enjoyed all aspects, many of which I'd never done before but I grew up in a handyman family.
