Wow, I do love this forum! Thanks for the helpful replies. Lavender_Lass you make some very good points. I have responded to your ideas below: Kitchenette: I also feel that the kitchenette with bar sink is cramped and I like your solution. We will not use the kitchenette for much, but if ever we want to rent out the basement (i.e. when some kids leave home) a bigger kitchen would be necessary. However, if we move it to where you suggested, it would take it even further away from snack counter on wheels that is behind the couch. Do you think that is a big problem? Mudroom: I believe we have the benches covered in the mudroom by planning for a built in seat to each locker (i.e. extra depth at seating height). If not additional benches can go where you suggested. TV/Seating area: Yes I do agree that the TV would be nice under the stairs, and in an earlier plan we had it there. However, with the south windows shinning on the screen the image would be difficult to see. I really don't want to cover up the windows as I crave light in basements. To clarify about the windows they cover only the top 3 feet of wall, so there is a full 5 feet below for the TV so I don't imagine having the TV in between two windows (like in picture) should be a big issue, unless I am missing something. In order to have decent surround sound the staircase location I have been advised is not the best. I do love your idea for sectional seating -- if there is any money left over we will go for it as the current furniture is rather worn. Peytonroad, thanks for your input! You made me laugh at your image of a heap of shoes by the garage door (and worried at the same time). No, I definitely don't want that! I will work hard to 100% train my family to put their stuff (shoes and all) in their own locker. Unfortunately, your thoughtful suggestion of moving the door to where the corner locker is will result in a longer passage through the garage for the walkers (i.e. the kids) and have them enter through a narrow part of the garage. Our garage is going to be around 40 feet deep as it is a tandem garage with one car parked behind the other. There is extra width for walkers to enter and bikes to be parked for the first 25 feet of so, then it gets narrower. Where I show the door now, it has people entering through the wider part of the garage if that makes any sense. Thanks again for your help, and in advance for other suggestions:) Carol

Great suggestions so far and I think getting the table refelted would be helpful...they have so many beautiful colors now, so you're not stuck with a kelly green. Play around with the cues and you will indeed see they take up a lot of room. That is why so many pool halls have items up on the walls and not in the line of the cues. You might think about chairs similar to your dining chairs on the walls in the pool room and using the buffet as a room divider with the front facing your dining room and the back facing the pool table with a leather couch or chairs on the back side of the buffet facing the pool table with small occasional tables. Maye a couple of tall palms in the corners of the pool room to flank the mirror...it would add some ambiance and soften the kelly green if you stay with that felt. Your home is beautiful and how exciting to inherit such a wonderful piece of furniture. Here is a link that might be useful: felt

Not sure you would be open to it, but carpet, rather than wood, will help absorb some of the noise from the area. I would try to incorporate your husband's sports decor. It will mean a lot to him, and your son may enjoy it, too. The space can remain a "cave" yet, as it's not very visible from your main living area. How old is your son? I'd get him involved in choosing the decor. It will make a difference in how he "owns" the room and takes care of it.

We need a little more info but first IMO you need some sort of heat and light blocking so solar shades would be a nice choice and a floor plan with as much detail as possible like the measurements of all the spaces and doorways for sure . Is the sofa staying, is that a good indication of your style. Some pics of the other spaces in the home would be helpful