Do you use your St. Louis basement? And if so, are you using it to its full potential? There’s usually a considerable amount of underused square footage in unused (or underused) basements. Maximizing your basement space is always a good idea; and can sometimes help a growing family stay in the house they love, without having to move into something larger. Here are a few things to consider if you want to make the most of your basement:

Finished or Unfinished

What state is your basement in currently? And if it’s unfinished, do you have a plan to renovate it? Many homeowners have unfinished basements, and these seem to be the ones that pose the most challenge. If you’re planning to finish your unfinished basement, you get to design everything and create a new space. It’s easy to make that appealing. But homeowners working with unfinished basements and no plans to renovate don’t need to write off the space entirely. There are many things they can do right now to give this part of their home a boost.

Lighting

Lighting is often the number one challenge in a basement. If you’re heading into a dimly lit space, you’re not going to be able to see the potential that’s there. Maybe you only run down to the basement to do a load of laundry and lighting hasn’t been a priority. Spending just a bit of time adding some brighter lighting though can help you expand its function a bit. Maybe it allows you to extend your laundry area and better store out-of-season clothing. Or maybe better lighting illuminates those unused corners that could be repurposed.

Storage

Basements are great for storage. Coming up with a system that works for you is key. Vertical shelving units are often a perfect choice for basements, and they can help homeowners keep things organized. By giving different shelves different purposes, you can better sort your belongings and find things when you need them.

Get Creative

If you have a spacious basement, maybe it’s a place your kids can set up some games after making the above improvements. An indoor spot where a game of catch isn’t endangering any breakable household items, or a place to build a fort that can stay up for weeks on end. With just a little sprucing up, your basement can be a great rainy-day option for your kids.

If you’d like recommendations for local remodelers or handymen, please reach out to us. We’d be happy to help you meet someone with experience that you can trust.