Beauty can be in the basement
Modern design brings new life to extra space
Bars have been a feature of basements for at least as long as suburban dads have been turning concrete walls into rec rooms.
One basement, designed and built by Just Basements in Ottawa, takes that idea to a new level by including a complete electric microbrewery behind a custom quartz and walnut bar. The sleek, gleaming brewery with its chrome draft tower was the homeowner’s idea and it produces eight types of beer — just the thing to quaff while unwinding in the tiered home theatre or after a spell in the custom-built infrared sauna.
The high-end makeover illustrates “the trend of people willing to go to the trouble of designing spaces and spending money in the basement to have what we would never have thought of before,” says Just Basements’ Norm Lecuyer.
In keeping with the tastes of home buyers, basement renovation clients are increasingly asking for slick, modern designs, he says. In the case of the homeowner who loves craft beer, that meant a grey-toned colour scheme, strong lines, and metal and glass accents.
Traditional design still holds a place in the heart of basement lovers, of course.
The high cost of building an addition to a home coupled with the spaciousness of basements, some with nine-foot ceilings, that are typical of today’s larger homes inspire contemporary homeowners to max out the “free” space that was once the dingy preserve of laundry tubs and old sports equipment.
Well-planned lighting is critical in a basement, says Suzanne Martin of Luxurious Living Studio. A good floor plan will dictate a logical ceiling plan because you’ll know what you’re using the various spaces for and how best to light them.
For example, since pot lights are expensive, Martin suggests grouping several to brighten up dark corners and then using recessed and other lights elsewhere. Running tape lighting with small LED bulbs behind bulkheads can add atmosphere without breaking the bank.
Other basement planning ideas from the pros: laminate flooring is a reliable, less costly alternative to engineered hardwood; batt insulation around your furnace room muffles sound, and drywalling the inside of the furnace room provides shelf space; a fireplace offers atmosphere and heat; hiring a designer, even if just to create a basic plan, can mean a better end product and reduced cost.
Also, Postmedia columnist and TV personality Mike Holmes warned that incorrectly installed basement insulation can lead to moisture and mould. He says rigid foam insulation is best.