View Before and After Pictures Of This Finished Basement

Our clients are a young couple with a family. The builder who constructed their home left them unsatisfied with the design and construction process. They chose to work with our company because we were flexible and gave them more of a say in the look and feel of their basement remodel. They contacted us based on a referral from friends.

Their two-story home had an unfinished basement and needed more livable space. They concluded that adding more usable living space required a finished basement. From the start of the design process, their number-one goal was to create a place where friends and family could gather. They envisioned a finished entertainment space, including a guest bedroom, bathroom, wet bar, and a comfortable recreation space for adults and kids. A fireplace was a must-have. With the couple's goal in mind, we started the design process, closely working with our clients to give them the finished basement they desired.

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Starting with a Blank Canvas

One of the advantages of starting with a blank canvas is that we can work closely with the homeowners to give them exactly what they want in their space. That being said, we always encounter challenges during the design process, big or small, and this project was no exception.

A structural support post provided an obstacle to the design. The bedroom and bathroom entryway needed to be set on an angled wall to accommodate the post. This meant a pocket door would need to be used to access the bathroom. The pocket door eliminated space required by the swing of a hinged door. We designed the vanity with open shelving instead of drawers since drawers could not slide all the way open while the bathroom door was closed.

An additional design challenge was the location of a floor drain for the furnace. We placed the bar so that we had easy access to the drain while accommodating the furnace. The solution meant creating another angled wall to allow ample length for the bar and also to allow access to the drain.

Once we addressed these challenges, it was time to add the aesthetic design details.

Creating a Stunning Design Perfect for Entertaining

Once we addressed the physical challenges of designing the space, it was time to work with Christian and Caroline on the aesthetics of the design. The overall color scheme was crucial to achieve the perfect aesthetic. After picking the cabinet color, Dark Knight stained Alder wood, Christian and Caroline wanted to add a warmer tone. After exploring several options, we decided that a Florida tile Berkshire Oak wood-look ceramic tile was the way to go for the bar backsplash. We carried over those warm tones into the entertainment space with non-combustible wood paneling to surround the fireplace.

The bar area butcher-block waterfall edge island table creates a central focal point for the basement with a built-in WOW factor! Our expert carpenter's careful craftsmanship added a stunning addition to the finished basement design. If you look closely, you can see the precision in the cuts, ensuring that the grain lines up perfectly through every piece used!

A Lighting Design To Enhance the Mood

Our clients requested a "moody restaurant feel" for the bar and seating area during the initial design process. That meant the lighting design was a critical part of the finished basement when it came time to create the perfect atmosphere.

We chose Emiko One Light matte black pendants hung over the island and the Nouveau One light pendants in gold over the vanity to help achieve the perfect mood. The tape lights under each shelf on the bar and inside the frosted glass cabinets on either side, along with the under glow of the vanity lighting, all contribute to the vibe.

The sliding patio door and large windows in the basement flood the space with natural light, so we made all of the lighting dimmable, giving Christian and Caroline complete control over the lighting level to create a balanced theatrical look.

The Ideal Finished Basement!

This finished basement is the perfect warm and inviting entertainment space for entertaining family and friends. The guest bedroom and bathroom add plenty of private living space, perfect for hosting family over the holidays.

With all the elements from the bar and fireplace to the color scheme and lighting working together, the result is a finished lower level that Christian and Caroline love and a design experience they will never forget!

Are you in need of additional livable space? Let us help you design and build the perfect finished basement! If you live in the Greater Madison area, call the experts at Degnan Design-Build-Remodel at (608) 846-5963. We can take your home to the next level of comfort, design, and function! Ready to learn more? We're always happy to answer your questions.