50 Finished Basement Ideas to Upgrade Your Downstairs Space
It will become your favorite part of the house.
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Once upon a time, basements were just used for storage, laundry, and heating. But nowadays, a finished basement can be whatever you want it to be—including a home office, a family game room, or even a guest bedroom! Whether you're planning a gut renovation or a simple refresh for your basement space, get ready to be inspired by plenty of stylish DIY finished basement ideas to choose from.
If you have a more formal living room, a finished basement can be a place where you and your loved ones gather to unwind, unplug, and unleash your inner couch potatoes. It can be a playroom for the kiddos or feature a wet bar for the adults. You can add a kitchenette for entertaining, an organized pantry for extra storage, or even a home gym to stay healthy. When it comes to finished basements, the possibilities are truly endless! Unlock your space's true potential with these DIY projects.
Here, you'll find tips and tutorials that will help you totally transform your space from dingy to divine on any budget. For example, you can work makeover magic with a few coats of paint or some colorful wallpaper, hide your TV in plain sight with a simple visual trick, or even add a unique handrail for the staircase. So get ready finally finish that basement and get the space you want and need!
Find even more home inspiration:
Warm White Art Studio
If you're the artistic type, making a space for your art will help your creativity bloom. Warm white walls are quite literally a blank canvas for your imagination.
See more at Inspired by Charm.
Family Game Room with Wet Bar
While a game room is a great idea for kids and adults alike, if you want to make it more enticing for the older set, add a wet bar! It can be your go-to place to serve a cocktail in style.
See more at Holland Avenue Home.
Neutral Home Office
Combine modern and vintage to create a cozy home office you'll never want to leave. Many of the pieces here are thrifted yet feel updated with the addition of a new chair.
See more at Rooms for Rent.
Cozy Spare Bedroom
You don't need a ton of space to create a cozy spare bedroom. Look at how lovely this little room is! It is mostly thrifted furniture, including a twin bed that's a convenient extra space for a guest.
See more at Room for Tuesday.
Boho Farmhouse Suite
A fun stenciled mural and a few hanging macrame hammock chairs are really all you need to create a bohemian oasis in your basement. It's chic on a budget!
See more at Lemon Thistle.
Branch Handrail
You need a way to get down to the basement safely, so you might as well make it stylish! Look at this DIY handrail made from a maple tree branch. It adds an unexpected level of detail.
Get the tutorial at The Merrythought.
Creative Craft Room
Calling all crafters! Carve out a space where you can get as creative a you want. This blogger actually divided her space, so it's half crafting room and half living space with a cozy couch.
See more at Home Made by Carmona.
Fully Stocked Pantry
Basements are often the place you think of when you need extra storage, so make sure you carve out a section if you need it. Fully organized shelves with decorations to make it more welcoming is the way to go!
See more at Home Made Lovely.
Butler's Pantry
Speaking of pantries, if you really want to give yourself a luxury experience, build a butler's pantry. A long narrow closet or the space underneath the stairs are perfect locations to consider.
See more at Live Pretty on a Penny.
Inspiring Home Gym
It's hard to get motivated for a workout. But if you create an inviting space, you're more apt to do what you need to stay healthy! You don't need a ton of space either.
See more at Bless'er House.
Tiny Luxury Basement Office
Even a small space can feel luxurious! Rich shades for your furniture and walls make it so much more fun to enjoy the little nook that you have carved out for yourself.
See more at DIY in PDX.
Colorful Bohemian Basement
Basements have a tendency to be dark and cramped. Brighten it all up with a super colorful palette. You can pop the furniture, add colorful painted accents, wallpaper, or all of the above!
See more at Casa Watkins Living.
Guest Bedroom Nook
If you don't have room for both a spare bedroom and a couch, add a nook! Tucking in a space to sit and relax makes it cozy and inviting. Don't you just want to cuddle up with a book?
See more at Fynes Designs.
Cake-inspired Kitchenette
Having a small kitchenette setup is so helpful if you entertain. It gives you extra space to prep and store for parties. It also allows your guests to have a space for snacks. Look at how cute this cake-inspired cutie is!
See more at The House That Lars Built.
Wallpapered Windowless Office
Windowless rooms can feel so dark and uninviting. Reverse that entirely by adding a pop of color and some light and airy wallpaper. It'll brighten up the space even without touching the light fixtures.
See more at Up to Date Interiors.
Blush and Black Basement
A blush and black palette add beauty to this multi-purpose basement, which was designed to be a living and wellness space for practicing dance, yoga, and more. With style like this, you'll definitely be living well!
See more at Vanessa Francis.
Peaceful Basement Office
Working (or crafting!) from home without a defined workspace can make your job feel way more stressful. Enter this sophisticated basement office/craftroom, which features an accent wall in a soothing stone tone.
See more at Snazzy Little Things.
Neutral Basement
Transform your basement space by painting the floors white. Round out this chic look with a neutral color palette of black, white, and tan—with a few splashes of animal print for some extra pizazz!
See more at My Sweet Savannah.
Basement Playroom
A basement playroom is the perfect place to have fun with mixing patterns! Whimsical wallpaper and a geometric print rug come together for a playful look that banishes the basement blahs.
See more at Elements of Style.
Sophisticated Basement Man Cave
Who says man caves can't be stylish and elegant? The Makerista incorporates typically masculine elements like rich, dark leather and wood, while breaking stereotypes with a white faux fur ottoman and floral throw pillows.
See more at The Makerista.
Tierney McAfee is a freelance writer and Country Living and The Pioneer Woman contributor who covers entertainment, holiday & entertaining, food & drinks, design ideas, DIY, and more.
AnnMarie Mattila is the Senior Editor for The Pioneer Woman, covering a wide range of topics from food and cooking to home, beauty, style, and more.
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