Take a Walk Through the 10 Most Popular Basements of 2016
Home theaters, reclaimed wood and hidden doors were among our readers’ favorite basement features
Whether it’s adding tiered seating for the ultimate viewing experience or building a second kitchen to draw a crowd, there have been lots of great ideas for basement makeovers this past year. Here are the 10 most popular basement photos uploaded in 2016, as measured by the number of saves to ideabooks. Tell us in the Comments which one is your favorite.
10. Walkout wonder. If you live on a hill or a mountainside, a walkout basement, such as this one designed by Otto/Walker Architects, is a fantastic design feature. Although it doesn’t come cheap, having the ability to walk directly from your basement to the outdoors dramatically increases the room’s entertainment value.
9. Open sesame. Renovating a basement provides an opportunity to add some design elements that might seem a little too quirky for the upstairs. Therefore, if you ever wanted a hidden door, such as this custom one designed by Just Basements, consider your basement an ideal location to follow your whimsy.
8. Banquette dining. Banquettes are a fun way to gather friends and family around the table, whether for dining or playing a board game. This Minnesota basement features reclaimed wood floors salvaged from an 1890s grain mill and post and beams recovered from a 1900s barn.
7. Formal attire. There’s no reason a basement can’t be just as formal as your upstairs living room. Since a basement is sometimes the largest room in the house, it can make a terrific place to host a large number of guests. Keep it as well dressed as your upstairs spaces, and no one will complain that the party is happening underground. This Philadelphia basement features crown molding, recessed lighting and matching sofas.
6. Stadium seating. Just like a movie theater with stadium seating, adding a bar counter and bar stools behind a sofa or sectional allows those farther from the screen a clear view from their elevated perch. This basement also features a custom reclaimed wall unit for the flat-screen TV that cleverly hides all wires and electronics in the cabinets underneath.
5. A place to go bold. If adventuresome design defines your home, there’s no good reason to deny your basement the same treatment. Conversely, if your design aesthetic runs to the tame side, why not push the boundaries down below? This basement on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, uses bold blues and fabulous wallpaper by Porter Teleo to draw folks downstairs.
4. Kitchen or kitchenette. If you really want to attract people to your basement, a kitchen is likely to do the trick. You may have a large kitchen upstairs and just want to add a kitchenette in the basement so the kids can make a snack. Or you may want to forgo an upstairs kitchen altogether and add your full-time one downstairs. This blue-and-brass kitchen in Utah has all the allure of any kitchen that’s located a floor above.
3. Rustic refinement. This industrial-style basement designed by jodi foster design + planning has a few windows for natural light, but it still provides a comfortable media room for the family. It also includes a wall of reclaimed wood, which seems to be a popular design material in many basements these days.
2. Movie time. One of the most popular uses for a basement is as a media room. The relative darkness, large-screen television and comfy seating combine for a theater-like experience, as found in this Minnesota basement by Grace Hill Design.
1. Picturesque view. Since many basements have no windows, the views are going to have to come from the inside. A gallery wall can be a great way to offer visual interest. This London basement designed by the team at Sigmar features two floating shelves and a floor lined with a collection of black-and-white photography that’s likely to make people forget about any lack of windows.
More: Read more stories about designing and remodeling a basement
More: Read more stories about designing and remodeling a basement