Below Buchanan is a basement renovation that feels as light and welcoming as one of our outdoor living spaces. The project is full of unique details, custom woodworking, built-in storage, and gorgeous fixtures. Custom carpentry is everywhere, from the built-in storage cabinets and molding to the private booth, the bar cabinetry, and the fireplace lounge. Creating this bright, airy atmosphere was no small challenge, considering the lack of natural light and spatial restrictions. A color pallet of white opened up the space with wood, leather, and brass accents bringing warmth and balance. The finished basement features three primary spaces: the bar and lounge, a home gym, and a bathroom, as well as additional storage space. As seen in the before image, a double row of support pillars runs through the center of the space dictating the long, narrow design of the bar and lounge. Building a custom dining area with booth seating was a clever way to save space. The booth is built into the dividing wall, nestled between the support beams. The same is true for the built-in storage cabinet. It utilizes a space between the support pillars that would otherwise have been wasted. The small details are as significant as the larger ones in this design. The built-in storage and bar cabinetry are all finished with brass handle pulls, to match the light fixtures, faucets, and bar shelving. White marble counters for the bar, bathroom, and dining table bring a hint of Hollywood glamour. White brick appears in the fireplace and back bar. To keep the space feeling as lofty as possible, the exposed ceilings are painted black with segments of drop ceilings accented by a wide wood molding, a nod to the appearance of exposed beams. Every detail is thoughtfully chosen right down from the cable railing on the staircase to the wood paneling behind the booth, and wrapping the bar.

2023 is the “Year of Color,” so get creative when choosing cabinet colors!✨ Choosing cabinet colors is all about expressing your personal style and bringing that vision in your mind to life. If you want to experiment with color, but aren’t ready to commit to painting your entire house bright blue, adding pops of color to spaces like your mudroom, basement, or office can be a great way to ease into the trend.

Our clients wanted a speakeasy vibe for their basement as they love to entertain. We achieved this look/feel with the dark moody paint color matched with the brick accent tile and beams. The clients have a big family, love to host and also have friends and family from out of town! The guest bedroom and bathroom was also a must for this space - they wanted their family and friends to have a beautiful and comforting stay with everything they would need! With the bathroom we did the shower with beautiful white subway tile. The fun LED mirror makes a statement with the custom vanity and fixtures that give it a pop. We installed the laundry machine and dryer in this space as well with some floating shelves. There is a booth seating and lounge area plus the seating at the bar area that gives this basement plenty of space to gather, eat, play games or cozy up! The home bar is great for any gathering and the added bedroom and bathroom make this the basement the perfect space!

Separating this long space into different areas based on use, helps to give each area it's own unique importance. custom rugs were used to help define some of the spaces.

In this project, Rochman Design Build converted an unfinished basement of a new Ann Arbor home into a stunning home pub and entertaining area, with commercial grade space for the owners' craft brewing passion. The feel is that of a speakeasy as a dark and hidden gem found in prohibition time. The materials include charcoal stained concrete floor, an arched wall veneered with red brick, and an exposed ceiling structure painted black. Bright copper is used as the sparkling gem with a pressed-tin-type ceiling over the bar area, which seats 10, copper bar top and concrete counters. Old style light fixtures with bare Edison bulbs, well placed LED accent lights under the bar top, thick shelves, steel supports and copper rivet connections accent the feel of the 6 active taps old-style pub. Meanwhile, the brewing room is splendidly modern with large scale brewing equipment, commercial ventilation hood, wash down facilities and specialty equipment. A large window allows a full view into the brewing room from the pub sitting area. In addition, the space is large enough to feel cozy enough for 4 around a high-top table or entertain a large gathering of 50. The basement remodel also includes a wine cellar, a guest bathroom and a room that can be used either as guest room or game room, and a storage area.

A basement remodel in a 1970's home is made simpler by keeping the ceiling open for easy access to mechanicals. Design and construction by Meadowlark Design + Build in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Professional photography by Sean Carter.

Basement finished to include game room, family room, shiplap wall treatment, sliding barn door and matching beam, numerous built-ins, new staircase, home gym, locker room and bathroom in addition to wine bar area.

Call it what you want: a man cave, kid corner, or a party room, a basement is always a space in a home where the imagination can take liberties. Phase One accentuated the clients' wishes for an industrial lower level complete with sealed flooring, a full kitchen and bathroom and plenty of open area to let loose.

Basement living room with reading nook

This full basement renovation included adding a mudroom area, media room, a bedroom, a full bathroom, a game room, a kitchen, a gym and a beautiful custom wine cellar. Our clients are a family that is growing, and with a new baby, they wanted a comfortable place for family to stay when they visited, as well as space to spend time themselves. They also wanted an area that was easy to access from the pool for entertaining, grabbing snacks and using a new full pool bath.We never treat a basement as a second-class area of the house. Wood beams, customized details, moldings, built-ins, beadboard and wainscoting give the lower level main-floor style. There’s just as much custom millwork as you’d see in the formal spaces upstairs. We’re especially proud of the wine cellar, the media built-ins, the customized details on the island, the custom cubbies in the mudroom and the relaxing flow throughout the entire space.

Neil Kelly Design/Build Remodeling, Portland, Oregon, 2021 Regional CotY Award Winner, Basement Over $250,000

Lodge look family room with added office space. Recessed lighting and the egress window give natural light to this space.

From addressing recurring water problems to integrating common eyesores seamlessly into the overall design, this basement transformed into a space the whole family (and their guests) love. Nearby is a small workspace, adding bonus function to this cozy basement and taking advantage of all available space. Like many 1920s homes in the Linden Hills area, the basement felt narrow, dark, and uninviting, but Homes and Such was committed to identifying creative solutions within the existing structure that transformed the space. Subtle tweaks to the floor plan made better use of the available square footage and created a more functional design. At the bottom of the stairs, a bedroom was transformed into a cozy, living space, creating more openness with a central foyer and separation from the guest bedroom spaces.