Of course it's not an easy job - there are some challenges. Let's start with the puddles that are down there. There isn't a sump pump, but instead a utility pump that runs pretty much 24x7 (thanks in part to a leaky water meter). So we will need to put in a basement waterproofing system.
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| Door cut to allow bathtub drain from the room above!! |
There's a door to a bulkhead exit - but it has this fancy cutout for the bathtub drain in the room above. LOL - that's a unique way to open the door! And I'd be curious how often there were pipe freezing problems in the winter. That's a tough spot to insulate.
And then there are the cobwebs. These are SERIOUS cobwebs. No spider sightings yet, but you'd hear me scream if I stumbled across one.
But when we fix all that, think of the bonus room you could put down there. Or home office. And a fancy laundry room (why do I fantasize about fancy laundry rooms???? Next to a mudroom, it would be something I'd love to have in my own home!!). And it could have a legal egress exit, which would make it suitable for a 3rd bedroom, if someone wanted it.
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| This is not a fancy laundry room!!!! |
Where I live, it's rare NOT to finish your basement (unless you have a McMansion, in which case you probably already have too much housecleaning to do). Most people use it for hobbies/workroom, a gym, a separate TV area for teenagers, or an extra bedroom (although that doesn't work that well if you don't also have at least a 3/4 bath down there with it). Or maybe you should just clean it up and leave a clean slate for the new owners to do with it as they please. They might just want the extra storage area!
ReplyDeleteStorage and laundry space are two things you can never have too much of. Due to basements being dark I'd vote for a tv or rec room instead of a bed room. Is there room for a half bath with the laundry so you don't have to run upstairs??
ReplyDeleteWe have a house in south portland that is almost this exact size and footprint, I am so excited to see what you do here. If it helps at all we are very seriously thinking about finishing our basement to be a playroom, laundry room, and extra bedroom for guests. It would provide so much more space!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a nice laundry room. When I first saw the upstairs I wondered when the laundry room would be. I think office and storage too. It seems there can never be enough storage.
ReplyDeleteI love how you pose these questions and included us in your thinking! The value added features for us would be to add a second bathroom (if there isn't one already on the first floor), a place to work out, laundry, and a place for visitors to crash for the weekend.
ReplyDeleteso funny! i signed on tonight to look for ideas for basement renovations. i think a laundry/mudroom is also a fantasy of mine. and, speaking as a mother of three elementary-aged children, our basement playroom is one of our favorite rooms in the house! as always, i look forward to seeing what you come up with!
ReplyDeleteDen or exercise room, not laundry, it's no fun to lug clothes up and down stairs
ReplyDeleteDue to the size of the house I would definitely go for a family room with a nice laundry room down in the basement. Also adding a bathroom would be nice and maybe leave some of the basement space for storage too. I love following along on your renovations. I love what you do with all your houses. I can't wait to see how this one turns out.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely need to include a bathroom if considering additional living space. We are in a similar circumstance right now although our basement is not in such a state of disrepair. At this point we are doing 1)updated laundry room, 2) (very) multi purpose room (couches to beds , excercise equipment, etc.) with an egress window, a 3/4 bathroom and a storage space with shelving. Anxious to see your decision.
ReplyDeleteIf the laundry is downstairs, might there be a chute that can handle clothing being thrown down. It's much easier to walk up the stairs with a laundry basket than walking down the stairs. This was a feature in a 1920s bungalow I used to live in and we absolutely loved it.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is so similar to our basement when we moved in last year (minus a few of the cobwebs - yikes that's a lot of cobwebs!!). I am all for a nice laundry room. Having to keep the laundry in the basement (like myself) it would be so nice to at least have a pretty and inviting space. (It's still on MY wishlist!!). Also, a second living space is a real bonus - especially in summer when the basement is the coolest spot in the house. And of course a storage room is a necessity. Love how the main level is looking with the wall and ceiling gone - it's going to be fabulous!
ReplyDeleteI think with a small house that a dedicated storage space would be on my list. Then I'd add a family room/den, a lovely, underline lovely, laundry room, a craft/sewing area or room that could double as a guest room, and a three quarter bath.
ReplyDeleteI think the key to whether I'd want the space finished is the ceiling height, which looks good in the photos. If that house were mine I'd love a craft room, storage, a guest bedroom with bathroom (which could double as a craft room if there wasn't space for both). When I was looking at real estate I thought a finished basement was a nice to have not a need to have; I am always wary of water issues. Other people may have different thoughts.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely finish! A great laundry room, lots of great storage (maybe a large closet with open space on one side and shelving on the other), a nice bathroom and leave the remaining space open. That way it could be any of the things mentioned (office, crafts, tv / game space for kids).
ReplyDeleteLaundry and family room. And a small bedroom if you can squeak it out. We have a TINY basement bedroom which barely fits a full size bed, two night stands and a tiny closet but it's a GUEST ROOM and my parents love staying in the dark, cool, quiet space away from everyone else!
ReplyDeleteI'd add a small addition off the kitchen door with a w/d, pantry storage and space for coats & boots - a tiny mudroom. Then downstairs, I'd put a small guest/office/crafty room, 1/2 bath and use the rest for a workshop. A fully functional exit door is necessary.
ReplyDeleteHas your plumber checked that drain out--it sure looks like a drum trap like we used to have. Those aren't considered up to code anymore. Or perhaps you plan to relocate the whole works.
ReplyDeleteOur boiler lines run above the Bilco doors to our basement and we worried about them freezing for years. Better insulation on the doors and a second door to close off the entry and better insulation has helped, but I still worry. It can get down to -40 sometimes around here. So far it has been OK, but the lines sandwiched between the old porch floor and the subfloor of our enclosed porch nearly froze one weekend we were out of town. The nearly new zone valve failed and temps got down to the 40s in the room before we discovered it! Holes to vent air from the basement to the crawl space under the porch has helped quite a lot.
My vote is also for a laundry chute, nice laundry area, storage, and a multipurpose room with egress, and a half or full bath would be a bonus. I got to admit, I've always been a little afraid of what might be lurking behind the walls of a finished basement, and it is nice to have access to all the electrical, heating and plumbing lines. Are you digging out and grading and waterproofing the exterior of the basement as well? It looks like you have concrete block basement, and they are known for slippage and leaking in the mortar joints. Very common in this age and style of house.
You're correct - we are having to change out a lot of the basement plumbing to meet new codes. And we will be doing foam insulation, to keep those pipes nice and warm - as well as a new door with good seals on it will make a huge difference! Oh, and we are doing a complete waterproofing system, to keep it nice and dry! It's a big investment to do it right - but so worth it for the future homeowner!
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