How to Build a Basement Rec Room

A basement rec room can be a great place to bring the family together to play and relax. It’s a very informal space and you don’t need to worry about keeping it as neat as the living room. Building a basement rec room is something most people can do once the basement itself has been finished. The main thing is to plan it all out carefully.

Step 1 - Planning

Before you begin creating a basement rec room from your finished basement, you need to plan it all out. You have a large space to fill, so you should work out how to use it most effectively. Allow areas for different activities. One should be for relaxation, another for entertainment, and a third for storage. The last is something people often forget, and in any home storage is always important.

Step 2 - Entertainment

An entertainment area is vital. If you desire it you can make one area into a home theater with surround sound. With a large flat screen television it can also be used for video games. For this, you’ll need the surround sound system and good seating, as well as lighting. Before you go shopping for these items, create a budget and make sure you stick to it—it’s very easy to splash out on a home theater system.

Step 3 - Relaxation

The entertainment area can double as a relaxation area if there’s not that much space. If that’s the case, it’s vital that you offer enough floor and comfortable seating space for everyone to sprawl out and play. An area like this will promote togetherness for the family, which is always important. Have a coffee table in this area. This will let you play board games together or eat snacks when gathered there.

Step 4 - Storage

Be sure to leave one part of the basement rec room for storage. By including storage rooms in your basement you can keep all the clutter out of sight and have somewhere to store things. Adding in a closet to keep spare clothes can be a boon—how many people have enough closet space?

Step 5 - Lighting

You’ll need different lighting for different areas of the basement rec room. For the home theater or entertainment area, lighting on dimmer switches is ideal, allowing you to adjust the level. In the relaxation area have a mix of overhead and table lighting. That way you can have lighting that meets the needs at any one time.

Step 6 - Stairs

For many, the basement stairs are something to be hidden, looking tatty and worn. If you’ve created a basement rec room, turning it into a very usable space, then you need the stairs to be inviting. This should be the last step in creating the basement rec room. Cover the wood with carpet or good, attractive treads and make certain there’s a secure railing on the stairs to avoid possible slips and accidents. With that done you have a great rec room waiting in the basement.