Family’s Colorful Renovated Basement Brings the Fun
A contractor found on Houzz creates areas for rock wall climbing, doing arts and crafts, playing games and more
Cheerful color and artwork inspire loads of fun and family time in this Doylestown, Pennsylvania, basement. The homeowner has two daughters, ages 6 and 8. “He wanted a space where the kids could be active all year round and proposed a rock climbing wall. I’d never done one before, but I love a challenge,” contractor Jon Atkin says. In addition, the dad wanted space for the kids to work on art projects, build Lego sets, play games and have family movie nights. The result is a colorful and multifunctional basement that welcomes the whole family like a warm hug.
The project feature the dad was most excited about for his daughters was the rock climbing wall. Atkin suspected the homeowner might like to use the wall himself. “I made sure to ask my client if he would be doing any climbing on this wall as well, because we needed to add ample support for the weight of adults,” Atkin says. “I always like to build beyond what is required in these kinds of situations.”
The flooring, a vinyl plank in a light tan, is both durable and waterproof.
Rock wall paint: Tart Orange, Behr
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The flooring, a vinyl plank in a light tan, is both durable and waterproof.
Rock wall paint: Tart Orange, Behr
Find a local general contractor on Houzz
This photo shows how the TV zone and the fun zone work in concert. The posts needed for structural support help to delineate the two areas.
The area behind the sofa provided a good spot for storage in the fun zone. Storage units keep the kids’ toys and games organized and provide space to display favorite photos.
A colorful rug, a purple sofa and lavender walls also feature in the fun zone. In addition to rock wall climbing and game playing, this is a creative zone. “Both of his daughters are artistic, so he wanted room for them to work on arts and crafts projects,” Atkin says. The storage system has pullout baskets that make it easy to grab supplies and toys and put them away.
Wall paint colors: Halation and Wisteria Blue, both Behr
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Wall paint colors: Halation and Wisteria Blue, both Behr
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The staircase was inspired by a photo the homeowner found on Houzz. But the color on the treads was inspired by Penn State. “Our client wanted to use Penn State blue on the stairs and some of the walls in the TV area,” Atkin says. Behr’s Compass Blue was a good match for the university’s signature color.
“Staying active is really important to this family, so a workout area was essential,” Atkin says. He created a small exercise area tucked away from the crafts and relaxing zones. In addition to the treadmill pictured, it contains an exercise bike. The door leads to a storage area.
“Staying active is really important to this family, so a workout area was essential,” Atkin says. He created a small exercise area tucked away from the crafts and relaxing zones. In addition to the treadmill pictured, it contains an exercise bike. The door leads to a storage area.
While the homeowner had his kids in mind when planning the basement, he also wanted to use it himself. “He and his girlfriend both work from home, and he knew the basement could serve as a separate getaway space after work,” Atkin says. He also wanted a good spot where he could play video games with his buddies. He chose a long carved media cabinet to house the equipment.
Blue paint: Compass Blue, Behr
Find the right media storage cabinet for your space
Blue paint: Compass Blue, Behr
Find the right media storage cabinet for your space
The basement also serves as a space for displaying the owner’s art collection, including creations by his daughters, family photos and favorite pieces he’s picked up over the years. The artwork pops against the Penn State blue.
The homeowner surprised the girls with the reveal and compared their excitement over it to that of a Christmas morning. The finished basement has transformed the family’s lifestyle at home and gives the girls plenty of room to stay active and creative when they can’t play outdoors.
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The homeowner surprised the girls with the reveal and compared their excitement over it to that of a Christmas morning. The finished basement has transformed the family’s lifestyle at home and gives the girls plenty of room to stay active and creative when they can’t play outdoors.
More on Houzz
Browse photos of basements
Tour more basements
Hire local design and remodeling pros
Shop for your home
Basement at a Glance
Who lives here: A father, his girlfriend and his two daughters
Location: Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Size: 900 square feet (84 square meters)
Contractor: Jon Atkin of Doylestown Builders
Deciding to finish the basement was a bit of a process for the homeowner. Originally he had a leaky window and was thinking about renovating a portico on the exterior of the home. He searched Houzz for local general contractors, thought Atkin looked like a great choice and gave him a call.
Upon arrival, Atkin grabbed his ladder to fix the window while chatting with the homeowner and later provided an estimate for the exterior renovation. The homeowner, after giving it some thought, realized that he’d much rather put his money into transforming his unfinished basement into a space that would make his daughters happy and comfortable.
“My client and his girlfriend also were very into the concept of hygge and wanted the space to feel comforting for everyone, like a big hug,” Atkin says. The Danish concept of hygge involves adding coziness and comfort to a home to create a feeling of contentment.
Atkin and his client chose vibrant colors for the walls, artwork and furnishings.
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