Basement of the Week: Hobbies and Entertainment on Tap
A Colorado couple finish the lower level of their family home to add a music studio, sewing room, playroom and more
A sewing-craft room, music studio, performance space-playroom, keg refrigerator, TV lounge and even a secret hideout under the stairs — there’s something for everyone in this family of five’s newly finished basement. There’s also plenty of room for them to hang out together and entertain their friends.
The kegerator tap is a custom brass-and-walnut hexagon, and the grate is plumbed to drain any spills. PVC-pipe cubbies built into the wall house wine bottles.
Penny tile backsplash: Daltile; quartz counter: HanStone
Penny tile backsplash: Daltile; quartz counter: HanStone
Looking in this direction, you can get a peek into the guest bedroom. There is also a full bathroom at this end. The availability of an egress window (one that meets requirements for exiting in an emergency) made the bedroom location a no-brainer.
The designer repeated the reclaimed hackberry of the island top on the open shelves over the sink. Two-tone cabinetry anchors the wet bar, while brass hardware and a quartz counter bring glint to the mix.
A combination of LED can lights, undercabinet lighting and sconces keeps the subterranean space light and bright.
The designer repeated the reclaimed hackberry of the island top on the open shelves over the sink. Two-tone cabinetry anchors the wet bar, while brass hardware and a quartz counter bring glint to the mix.
A combination of LED can lights, undercabinet lighting and sconces keeps the subterranean space light and bright.
Across the room from the wet bar is the TV lounge, which is cozy but can still fit the whole family. Harriman wrapped this area in a removable wallpaper to anchor it within the larger space.
The flooring resembles wood but is luxury vinyl tile. “It’s super durable and nonporous, so it’s a great choice for basements,” Harriman says.
Flooring: Karndean Designflooring
The flooring resembles wood but is luxury vinyl tile. “It’s super durable and nonporous, so it’s a great choice for basements,” Harriman says.
Flooring: Karndean Designflooring
One of the homeowners wanted to be able to see the TV from her sewing room, so Harriman installed a wall of windows that look out to it. The room is also wired with speakers for when she wants to hear it.
“The custom stand-up table on casters was a key component,” Harriman says. “They can use it as a cutting table, pull it out from the wall when they want to work around all sides of it, and use it for gift wrapping.” The wall is outfitted with dowels and pegs for threads, fabrics, wrapping paper and other supplies.
Desks and shelving: Ikea
“The custom stand-up table on casters was a key component,” Harriman says. “They can use it as a cutting table, pull it out from the wall when they want to work around all sides of it, and use it for gift wrapping.” The wall is outfitted with dowels and pegs for threads, fabrics, wrapping paper and other supplies.
Desks and shelving: Ikea
This playroom area is located beyond the island (you can see it in the first photo.) The girls wanted a spot where they could put on performances. “We wanted to give them that but create something versatile that could grow with them, rather than installing a raised stage they might want to get rid of later,” Harriman says. She installed a rod that spans the width of the room for the theater curtain. The girls also use gymnastic mats and a balance beam in here, while their little brother has room to spread out his train and other toys. A thick wall allows for display and storage niches along the right side of the room.
On both sides of the room are 4-foot-wide pocket doors. The one on the left leads to the sewing and craft studio; the one on the right leads to the music studio. “We installed wide doors so that the separate spaces could feel open to one another when they wanted, but that they can close off when they want privacy,” the designer says.
On both sides of the room are 4-foot-wide pocket doors. The one on the left leads to the sewing and craft studio; the one on the right leads to the music studio. “We installed wide doors so that the separate spaces could feel open to one another when they wanted, but that they can close off when they want privacy,” the designer says.
Here, one of the homeowners plays the banjo in his new music studio. Harriman installed halogen flush-mount ceiling lights rather than LED cans in here for soundproofing reasons (more sound can escape upstairs with can lights). The ceiling is soundproofed with recycled denim insulation.
A warm neutral area rug, an orange sofa, music posters and all the instruments make the space inviting. The shiplap on the back wall ties the room to the rest of the basement.
Now the family has room for their favorite activities and for entertaining their friends.
Browse more basement stories
A warm neutral area rug, an orange sofa, music posters and all the instruments make the space inviting. The shiplap on the back wall ties the room to the rest of the basement.
Now the family has room for their favorite activities and for entertaining their friends.
Browse more basement stories
Basement at a Glance
What happens here: Socializing, sewing, crafting, art and music making, playing, beer drinking, and hosting overnight guests in their own suite
Location: Lafayette, Colorado
Size: 1,500 square feet (139 square meters)
Architecture: Track Architecture; Builder: Buildwell
The parents of 9- and 7-year-old daughters and a 2-year-old son wanted a space that felt bright and open but that also had separate spaces for specific activities. In the heart of the basement, a custom island and wet bar serve as the entertainment hub. Designer Jamie Harriman Buildwell added custom touches that cleverly dealt with basement challenges. For example, the column at the end of the island is structural, so she planned an industrial piece around it. She had the column wrapped in steel, then repeated the steel on the island’s waterfall edge. The top is reclaimed hackberry wood.
Harriman opened up the side of the stairwell and installed steel spindles down the staircase to repeat the industrial look. The spindles also make the stairwell feel more open, rather than a dark, closed-off descent down into a basement. The stairwell wall is covered in shiplap, and if you look closely, you can see the small door that leads to a secret fort underneath.