Surveys done by the New York Times, the CBC and Velux show that about 1 in 4 Canadians spend almost their entire day (21 — 23 hours) indoors. And this makes sense because Canada experiences very long cold winters, making Canadians retreat to the comfort of their homes for longer periods. Within our homes, basements have been the space where we all retreat with our families and friends during those long cold winters or scorching summers. Basements come in many forms, ranging from indoor hockey rinks to traditional wood-panelled, shag-carpeted party rooms.
There is growing interest among Canadians to utilize the basement as an additional living space. However, most people do not know what to do in basement renovations in Ottawa to undertake to unlock a basement’s true potential. This brief article helps you understand the process of transforming your basement into a functional place you can retreat to with your family and friends during those long cold winter months or scorching summers.
Consider cost:
Cost is an important aspect of basement renovation, in fact, any home addition or renovation. Any projected costs will depend on the kind of basement transformation you intend to achieve.
For example, your basement renovations could be inspired by the need to utilize your basement as:
- A fully integrated space in your home
- A place for kids to play
- A place to dump old furniture or electronics
There are merits for each of the above uses to which a basement can be put. For example, while renovating your basement for use as storage space has a minimal cost impact, it compromises your home’s functionality and value.
Consider renovations as an investment:
Because your basement has almost the same square footage as your main floor, fully integrating it into your house increases your home’s potential. Transforming your basement into a fully functional extension of your house requires a bit more planning and budgeting appropriate for the kind of improvements you envision. Expect to invest money in your basement renovations as you would invest in another home. You have an option of cutting down the cost by using lower-grade materials and lesser-quality constructors. However, if you want to increase the usability and the value of your home, say by using good materials and fully automated functions like Bluetooth and touch-activated lights, your budget will definitely exceed the amount you have set aside for basement renovation.
Basement renovations that include the following features will increase your home’s potential:
- A few rooms
- Family space
- Home theatre
- Office
- Gym
- Basement bathroom
When you decide to renovate your basement into a functional living space, you will still need to leave some room for the following:
- The furnace/hot water tank
- Storage space for holiday decorations
- Storage for once-a-year plates/serving platters
- Storage for a few boxes of clothes and items you might want to store
Whatever you want to achieve with your basement renovations, always ensure your budget is commensurate with the functionality you envision. Your basement is a substantial square floor footage in your home that can be renovated to increase your home’s potential, hence eliminating the need to move or add home additions.
Ben Ozorak is one of Ottawa’s leading basement design-build and renovation firms. If you are considering investing in an Ottawa basement renovation to increase the potential of your home, we are here to help you realize unmatched home transformation through professional basement renovations.
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