2016 Basement Remodeling Trends

The lowest level of a house holds lots of potential. It can provide storage, be a playroom for kids, or offer extra sleeping quarters, yet when left to its own devices, a basement can easily adopt a dark and dingy air. I once saw an episode of The Lucy Show where Lucy and Ethel attempt to completely redo their “rumpus room” with crazy wallpaper and complicated finishes. Although their project ended terribly (I believe they actually ended up gluing each other to the walls), your remodel doesn't have to be so complicated. This article will cover the major upcoming trends for redoing a basement in 2016 including wall finishes, flooring, color schemes, and even a bit on how to add stylish flooring to your most forgotten and neglected space. Hate your basement? Being on trend and adding to your home is easier than ever. Here are some ideas to get you started.

Wall Finishes

Many basements have the same grey concrete walls that just add to the cold and dark feel already present in unfinished spaces. Though past design movements offered ways of embracing the hard-to-deal-with look, experts say 2016 is going to be about covering them completely, making the space feel reminiscent to the rest of the home above. Using plywood, drywall, even types of waterproof paint -- designers are now more than ever making previously forgotten basements comfortable.

Pro Tips

When covering basement walls, be sure to first ensure any moisture problems are well handled. This can be as simple as using a layer of roll-on sealant (looks and works like paint) to waterproof the wall, disallowing water and leakage from sneaking through to ruin a new interior wall.

Don’t forget the insulation. Remember the dark and cold feeling I mentioned above? This can be easily solved by installing foam board installation before erecting the drywall or panels of your choice.

Colors

Because this space tends to be lacking in natural light, it is said that a single color should be placed on the walls and ceiling to add freshness and consistency to the space. That color should be light in tone. This means all of the bold tones experimented with on the other floors above such as deep purples, blues, and reds should be swapped for ones more easy on the eyes, like creams, whites, and beiges. If contrast is still on your mind, opt for a simple trim in an opposing color.

Floors

As basements in 2016 are meant to flow with the look of the rest of the home, hardwood and natural-looking floors have been highly favored in style journals and magazines, with one significant catch. As the space will be both highly used as well as subjected to potential water damage, practicality trumps the large financial investments of buying such flooring. While hardwood floors are both expensive and sensitive to wear-and-tear use, laminate and even vinyl floors in natural-looking fashions will be a favored alternative this year.

Pro Tips

When choosing a floor in a basement, a homeowner must consider the threats of higher levels of humidity and moisture, in addition to flooding and the potential for water backup. Decor and financial investment will be lost as moisture is able to seep through tiny cracks in the foundation. Therefore, if such a situation applies in your own home, attempt to avoid flooring materials that contain levels of cement (inexpensive laminate and tiles) which allow water to enter through their pores.

Carpets are easy to install and maintain, but due to the nature of a basement's proximity to the elements carpet can come with a host of problematic headaches. Instead of the carpeting being fully wall-to-wall, why not try carpet squares? This way, should a problem arise and the floor underneath needs attending too, you only have to remove sections.