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It’s time for a change!

last year

The sectional is old, ugly & uncomfortable. I’d like different seating ideas, pool table on one side of the basement along with treadmill & exercise bike. The basement is very cold in winter, so maybe some sort of small fireplace? Help me with ideas, thanks!

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Comments (6)

Elaine Doremus Resumes Written
last year
I would recommend a couch and an upholstered chair. Determine what your budget is. Also, how long do you keep your couches? I see my seating as an investment and I paid $2000 for a custom Ethan Allen couch. I plan on keeping it for at least ten years. My sister pays $400 for hers. Her cats destroy it and she buys another one every three years. Again - depends on how long you plan on keeping your couch. About the fireplace, I'm afraid I'm a frugal person and an environmentalist at heart - therefore my answer will reflect that. Do you know if there is any insulation in the walls? You may want to consider getting an energy audit from your energy service or environmental agency. I can't tell by your pictures if you have wall to wall carpeting. If so, if there is no pad, have one installed. If you do not have carpet, get a big warm one with an under pad. If you get a fireplace without doing that, you will have a high bill and will be throwing money out the window. If you do not get an energy audit and takes the needed steps to make this room warm, at the very least hang warm large quilts on each wall. The lighting in the seating area is not conducive to a conversation. Instead of ceiling lights, much better is a table lamp or wall sconce in each corner at chest height. Cover windows with blinds for warmth as well.
Ilona Dodd
Original Author
last year
Well, this sectional is close to 30 years old. I’ve looked for slip covers but no luck finding something that will fit properly, unless you have a suggestion. New carpet is definitely a must, but no covering on those windows, it would definitely be a dungeon then. We have lots of throws & afghans for warmth, there are plenty of ceiling lights throughout the entire basement, 16 in all. Thanks for the input!
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apple_pie_order
last year
Custom slipcovers would work well if your sofa is in good condition.
kandrewspa
last year
I don't see why you would slipcover a sofa that is by your description old and uncomfortable. People have a tendency to put their oldest sofa in the basement, but if you spend a couple hours every evening down there watching TV it seems to me it is worth some investment. Look for a sofa you like with a contrasting (not matching) chair or two, or another sectional if you really like sectionals. Then look at carpet to go with the sofa. You may have to go back and forth a couple times until you find a combination you like. Be sure to be conscious of the undertones in solid color materials - all grays are not the same for instance, neither are all navys.

You could put LVP in the whole basement and get an area rug for the TV watching area (that's what I did). If the wall color doesn't work with the new sofas you will have to paint, but there is no need to think about a wall color until everything else is in place. If you want a partial kitchen or bar now is the time to think about that since you're changing the flooring. There are thousands of pictures on Houzz of basements if you want to see what other people have done.
er612
last year
Any chance you could post a floor plan?
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ballonSTUDIO interiors & remodeling
last year
Here are a few ideas for furniture from some designs we have done. It might be a good idea to take measurements where you want the furniture to be and decide if you want another sectional or a sofa and two chairs. You might also look into an electric fireplace to put under the TV in place of what is currently there.
Filbert Street · More Info

Filbert Street · More Info

St. Helena Sanctuary · More Info

Timber Cove · More Info

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