We started with a blank slate on this basement project where our only obstacles were exposed steel support columns, existing plumbing risers from the concrete slab, and dropped soffits concealing ductwork on the ceiling. It had the advantage of tall ceilings, an existing egress window, and a sliding door leading to a newly constructed patio. This family of five loves the beach and frequents summer beach resorts in the Northeast. Bringing that aesthetic home to enjoy all year long was the inspiration for the décor, as well as creating a family-friendly space for entertaining. Wish list items included room for a billiard table, wet bar, game table, family room, guest bedroom, full bathroom, space for a treadmill and closed storage. The existing structural elements helped to define how best to organize the basement. For instance, we knew we wanted to connect the bar area and billiards table with the patio in order to create an indoor/outdoor entertaining space. It made sense to use the egress window for the guest bedroom for both safety and natural light. The bedroom also would be adjacent to the plumbing risers for easy access to the new bathroom. Since the primary focus of the family room would be for TV viewing, natural light did not need to filter into that space. We made sure to hide the columns inside of newly constructed walls and dropped additional soffits where needed to make the ceiling mechanicals feel less random. In addition to the beach vibe, the homeowner has valuable sports memorabilia that was to be prominently displayed including two seats from the original Yankee stadium. For a coastal feel, shiplap is used on two walls of the family room area. In the bathroom shiplap is used again in a more creative way using wood grain white porcelain tile as the horizontal shiplap “wood”. We connected the tile horizontally with vertical white grout joints and mimicked the horizontal shadow line with dark grey grout. At first glance it looks like we wrapped the shower with real wood shiplap. Materials including a blue and white patterned floor, blue penny tiles and a natural wood vanity checked the list for that seaside feel. A large reclaimed wood door on an exposed sliding barn track separates the family room from the game room where reclaimed beams are punctuated with cable lighting. Cabinetry and a beverage refrigerator are tucked behind the rolling bar cabinet (that doubles as a Blackjack table!). A TV and upright video arcade machine round-out the entertainment in the room. Bar stools, two rotating club chairs, and large square poufs along with the Yankee Stadium seats provide fun places to sit while having a drink, watching billiards or a game on the TV. Signed baseballs can be found behind the bar, adjacent to the billiard table, and on specially designed display shelves next to the poker table in the family room. Thoughtful touches like the surfboards, signage, photographs and accessories make a visitor feel like they are on vacation at a well-appointed beach resort without being cliché.

Stairs lead down to the basement, which was greatly expanded in this renovation. Wallpaper reminiscent of old newspapers and the sanded original door hint at the home's origins. Old newspapers are often found tucked into walls when homes are remodeled.

Basement family room with built-in home bar, lounge area, and pool table area.

Game area of basement bar hang-out space. The console area sits behind a sectional and entertainment area for snacking during a game or movie.

Lower Level of home on Lake Minnetonka Nautical call with white shiplap and blue accents for finishes. This photo highlights the built-ins that flank the fireplace.

Dark mahogany home interior Basking Ridge, NJ Following a transitional design, the interior is stained in a darker mahogany, and accented with beautiful crown moldings. Complimented well by the lighter tones of the fabrics and furniture, the variety of tones and materials help in creating a more unique overall design. For more projects visit our website wlkitchenandhome.com . . . . #basementdesign #basementremodel #basementbar #basementdecor #mancave #mancaveideas #mancavedecor #mancaves #luxurybasement #luxuryfurniture #luxuryinteriors #furnituredesign #furnituremaker #billiards #billiardroom #billiardroomdesign #custommillwork #customdesigns #dramhouse #tvunit #hometheater #njwoodworker #theaterroom #gameroom #playspace #homebar #stunningdesign #njfurniturek #entertainmentroom #PoolTable

Once unfinished, now the perfect spot to watch a game/movie and relax by the fire.

Bourbon Man Cave basement redesign in Mt. Juliet, TN

This farmhouse style home was already lovely and inviting. We just added some finishing touches in the kitchen and expanded and enhanced the basement. In the kitchen we enlarged the center island so that it is now five-feet-wide. We rebuilt the sides, added the cross-back, “x”, design to each end and installed new fixtures. We also installed new counters and painted all the cabinetry. Already the center of the home’s everyday living and entertaining, there’s now even more space for gathering. We expanded the already finished basement to include a main room with kitchenet, a multi-purpose/guestroom with a murphy bed, full bathroom, and a home theatre. The COREtec vinyl flooring is waterproof and strong enough to take the beating of everyday use. In the main room, the ship lap walls and farmhouse lantern lighting coordinates beautifully with the vintage farmhouse tuxedo bathroom. Who needs to go out to the movies with a home theatre like this one? With tiered seating for six, featuring reclining chair on platforms, tray ceiling lighting and theatre sconces, this is the perfect spot for family movie night! Rudloff Custom Builders has won Best of Houzz for Customer Service in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021. We also were voted Best of Design in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021, which only 2% of professionals receive. Rudloff Custom Builders has been featured on Houzz in their Kitchen of the Week, What to Know About Using Reclaimed Wood in the Kitchen as well as included in their Bathroom WorkBook article. We are a full service, certified remodeling company that covers all of the Philadelphia suburban area. This business, like most others, developed from a friendship of young entrepreneurs who wanted to make a difference in their clients’ lives, one household at a time. This relationship between partners is much more than a friendship. Edward and Stephen Rudloff are brothers who have renovated and built custom homes together paying close attention to detail. They are carpenters by trade and understand concept and execution. Rudloff Custom Builders will provide services for you with the highest level of professionalism, quality, detail, punctuality and craftsmanship, every step of the way along our journey together. Specializing in residential construction allows us to connect with our clients early in the design phase to ensure that every detail is captured as you imagined. One stop shopping is essentially what you will receive with Rudloff Custom Builders from design of your project to the construction of your dreams, executed by on-site project managers and skilled craftsmen. Our concept: envision our client’s ideas and make them a reality. Our mission: CREATING LIFETIME RELATIONSHIPS BUILT ON TRUST AND INTEGRITY. Photo Credit: Linda McManus Images

This older couple residing in a golf course community wanted to expand their living space and finish up their unfinished basement for entertainment purposes and more. Their wish list included: exercise room, full scale movie theater, fireplace area, guest bedroom, full size master bath suite style, full bar area, entertainment and pool table area, and tray ceiling. After major concrete breaking and running ground plumbing, we used a dead corner of basement near staircase to tuck in bar area. A dual entrance bathroom from guest bedroom and main entertainment area was placed on far wall to create a large uninterrupted main floor area. A custom barn door for closet gives extra floor space to guest bedroom. New movie theater room with multi-level seating, sound panel walls, two rows of recliner seating, 120-inch screen, state of art A/V system, custom pattern carpeting, surround sound & in-speakers, custom molding and trim with fluted columns, custom mahogany theater doors. The bar area includes copper panel ceiling and rope lighting inside tray area, wrapped around cherry cabinets and dark granite top, plenty of stools and decorated with glass backsplash and listed glass cabinets. The main seating area includes a linear fireplace, covered with floor to ceiling ledger stone and an embedded television above it. The new exercise room with two French doors, full mirror walls, a couple storage closets, and rubber floors provide a fully equipped home gym. The unused space under staircase now includes a hidden bookcase for storage and A/V equipment. New bathroom includes fully equipped body sprays, large corner shower, double vanities, and lots of other amenities. Carefully selected trim work, crown molding, tray ceiling, wainscoting, wide plank engineered flooring, matching stairs, and railing, makes this basement remodel the jewel of this community.

Friends and neighbors of an owner of Four Elements asked for help in redesigning certain elements of the interior of their newer home on the main floor and basement to better reflect their tastes and wants (contemporary on the main floor with a more cozy rustic feel in the basement). They wanted to update the look of their living room, hallway desk area, and stairway to the basement. They also wanted to create a 'Game of Thrones' themed media room, update the look of their entire basement living area, add a scotch bar/seating nook, and create a new gym with a glass wall. New fireplace areas were created upstairs and downstairs with new bulkheads, new tile & brick facades, along with custom cabinets. A beautiful stained shiplap ceiling was added to the living room. Custom wall paneling was installed to areas on the main floor, stairway, and basement. Wood beams and posts were milled & installed downstairs, and a custom castle-styled barn door was created for the entry into the new medieval styled media room. A gym was built with a glass wall facing the basement living area. Floating shelves with accent lighting were installed throughout - check out the scotch tasting nook! The entire home was also repainted with modern but warm colors. This project turned out beautiful!