Most people would prefer to have a finished basement when moving into a new home. But in our line of work we regularly see basements that have unnecessarily sat unfinished for decades. There are easy ways to finish a basement or at very least to make it more attractive and usable. 

Today, we would like to encourage those with unfinished basements to consider tackling the job and making the space more inviting. Let's look at How to Finish Your Basement.

If you're looking to really finish your basement and make it into a livable space, there are some essentials to making it as cozy as possible.

INSULATION & DRYWALL
One of the biggest changes you'll make is installing insulation and drywall. This will help to close up the unfinished look of a basement while keeping warmth in the space. Basements are notorious for being cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Adding insulation can help to combat this issue.

FLOORING

Next, one of the first things you notice about unfinished basements is that the floor is cold and the concrete isn't very barefoot friendly. So, we want to put down flooring, but we might want to put down some underlayment first. Get one that's insulated with a vapour-barrier.

For flooring, you can lay down hardwood, laminate, vinyl, porcelain tiles, ceramic tiles, natural stone tiles or carpet. Laminate flooring is one of the easier and more affordable ones to install. And since it's smooth, it's easy to clean.

Just be careful putting laminate flooring in rooms where there are laundry rooms and sump pumps. Water can damage them if they are exposed excessively. If you like something soft under your feet, in your TV or family room, just throw down a big comfy rug.

DROP CEILING
If your basement's ceiling is exposed, consider adding a dropped or suspended ceiling to reduce sound and keep in heat.You'll need some tools and materials to get this job done such as t-channels, cross T's, drop ceiling tiles, wire and wire hanging eyelets, a drill eyelet adapter, tin snips, utility knife blades, and more.

LIGHTING

One of the most important aspects of finishing your basement is adding lighting. Not only do you need it for function, but you also need it to make the space more inviting. There are lots of options for lighting your basement, including recessed lights, track lights, pendant lights and even wall sconces.

COLOUR

While it is not necessary to renovate your basement in order for you and guests of all ages to enjoy a fun time there, adding some colour can be the perfect way. You don't have to spend big bucks on renovations when simple changes like painting will do wonders! 

FURNITURE 

If you have an unfinished basement, it's likely that you don't have any furniture in the space. This can make the space feel unfinished and cold. Add some furniture to make the space more inviting.

You don't need to buy expensive pieces. There are lots of affordable options that will make your basement feel like a finished space, including sofas, chairs, coffee tables, side tables and even rugs.

ACCESSORIES  

Don't forget the details! Accessories can really make a space feel finished and polished. Consider adding pieces like art work, mirrors, plants or lamps to your basement. These small touches will help to transform the space and make it feel like home.

PARTITIONING 

You could also partition your basement. If you want to make your basement a multi-use room, then why not use the space wisely? One simple solution is installing an inexpensive curtain system. You can do this either with wire or cute hooks on curtains and they won't cost too much money!

WORKOUT SPACE 

One of the smartest things to do in your basement is make space for a workout area or room. Simply add foam mats. Whether you want to use it as an extra home gym, or you have kids and need somewhere safe they can play without making too much noise. Adding some foam mats will solve both problems with ease. And these mats can come in any colour you want to complement or match the space.