Top 5 Inexpensive Ideas For An Unfinished Basement

Do you have a large unfinished basement you aren’t sure what to do with? Is it visually unappealing? Those exposed wooden beams and pipes … that cement floor … 

With a few simple renovations, you can get a lot of value out of your unused basement. You can clearly envision how you want it to look, but if you’re on a tight budget, it can be rather difficult to bring those visions to life. With these five easy inexpensive ideas to finish your basement, you’ll have it renovated and ready to use in no time.

Five Inexpensive Ideas To Finish Your Basement

1. Installing Drywall/Adding A Fresh Coat Of Neutral Paint

Installing drywall can be done yourself, although if you’ve never done it before, it’s best to ask a professional for tips to ensure you’re hanging it correctly, measuring around outlets, windows and doorframes, and avoiding electrical wires or pipes.

Painting the walls a neutral colour can make the room seem a lot bigger and also more comfortable. Dark paint can suck the light out, which may not be the best option for a basement. 

2. Carpet Or Vinyl Flooring

The most popular, cheapest flooring option is carpet. Not only is it cheap, but it’s also comfortable and warm on the feet (which may be much needed in the basement!).

If you’re ever worried about the carpet in the basement getting damaged or wet, particularly if you have issues with your basement being damp, another cheap option is vinyl. Vinyl flooring patterns have definitely improved since the 1960s!

Now it can be made to look like natural hardwood and there are waterproof options. 

3. “Hey, Macklemore, Can We Go Thrift Shopping?”
   

Someone else’s trash is another person’s treasure. Affordable furniture can easily be found at local thrift stores.

If you’re worried about everything looking too mismatched, take on your own DIY projects and repurpose those chairs or end tables yourself.

Materials to repurpose furniture can also be found at thrift stores.

4. Add Area Rugs

If you’re still on a rather tight budget and can’t afford to add new flooring, area rugs work wonders.

Even if the basement floor is cement, area rugs can spruce up any space and make it look larger and more comfortable. It will also keep your feet warmer rather than walking on cement or tiling. 

5. Leave The Ceiling Exposed

You may not think your exposed ceiling is attractive, but you can drastically change the appearance with a coat of paint.

This includes painting the beams, the pipes, the poles that support the ceiling, the ductwork … everything. You’ll be surprised how finished, comfortable, and larger it makes your basement look. 

Start Now

It may seem hard to picture a finished basement when you have a tight budget, but it’s still possible if you get creative! By taking on your own DIY projects, going thrift store shopping, or installing drywall yourself, you won’t have to stress about how you’re going to pay off an expensive basement renovation. Of course, if you’re looking for professional help, Honest Renovations are always here to lend you a hand!