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Building a Home Design Dilemma Basements

I have no idea how to finish our basement. Any suggestions?

3 years ago

We currently have a 3bed, 2 bath upstairs in our raised ranch (approx 1400sqft) and have a pretty open concept basement and have no idea on how we want to finish it. We like the idea of a big family room, but I think it's almost too big and we could benefit with having 3 more rooms down there (2 bedrooms and a smaller bedroom which would be used as an office) + bathroom and laundry room. We have 2 boys with one on the way so we don't really need 3 rooms and 2 would be fine, but having a spare bedroom for guests and a smaller office seems to make sense, but an 8x12 'flex' space too small? The flex space/office doesn't need a closet either, but figured it would be nice to have, especially if we want to make it a legal bedroom for any reason. It would be 81 sqft in total so pretty small.

One thing we really lack upstairs is storage (no closets in either bathroom, and no closet in front foyer so adding a couple closets down there is a must. I attached a layout (not 100% perfectly to scale, but close) with and without our ideas.

Honestly we're open to anything really. please help!

Comments (9)

millworkman
3 years ago
Those windows are all large enough to meet code for egress?
Evan Barnes thanked millworkman
partim
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
Requirements for egress differ from place to place. Where I live (Ontario Canada) it's enough to have an egress window somewhere in the basement, in addition to the main staircase exit. The window doesn't need to be in the bedroom. It may be different where you live, or you may want to put in a bedroom egress window even if your code doesn't require it. So be sure you budget for that expense if you don't already have what is required.

The requirements for a legal bedroom, size-wise, also differ from place to place. If you want to list it as a bedroom when you sell, be sure you build it to the adequate size for your location.
Evan Barnes thanked partim
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Evan Barnes
Original Author
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I’m in Ontario as well. the windows are 44”x28”, I don’t see them being a problem but have no idea really.

As for the listing, since it’s in a basement it would still be a 3 Bed technically anyways I believe, or a 3+3 Bed I’ve seen I guess too. We built in 2019 and don’t really have plans to sell anytime soon so listing isnt a huge concern.
Evan Barnes
Original Author
3 years ago
partim
3 years ago
http://www.buildingcode.online/1405.html Here you go.
Evan Barnes thanked partim
lyfia
3 years ago
rough sketch
Evan Barnes thanked lyfia
Evan Barnes
Original Author
3 years ago
Thank you! Still gives us a good amount of storage as well as increasing the bedroom size just enough. I never though about brining that wall out a bit (by the vanity).
Trish Walter
3 years ago
glad you got help.

we are finishing our basement currently and it was hard to figure out what to do.
seosmp
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I'm not suggesting you do this, but we had intentionally left our basement unfinished while the kids were young. We used the color foam pads on the floor and painted the walls white, and padded the posts. They played all kinds of sports down there - basketball, softball (hitting practice!!) as well as had a TV / xbox / etc. and all their toys.

When they got to be older / high school, we decided to finish it. My son (now in college) still has a little hoop down there and dribbles a small ball on the LVP! :)

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