So, it's been a while since we've done any big projects in our house but we always had one BIG, ok REALLY BIG, project in mind when we bought this house... and that was finishing our basement (see photos on left). Our basement is pretty great in that there is a lot of open space without many obstructions and we have two egress windows already installed (BONUS)! There are even two drain lines in the basement which is great - but there is no 'rough end' plumbing for a toilet (#losing). So we had our work cut out for us.
We (mostly I) had a lot of grandiose visions for the basement including a bar, a workout space, potentially a 'brew room' - my husband is into home brewing - a full bathroom, and a bedroom - or living room with pull out couch. I wanted to get this project at least mostly complete before we started procreating in the coming years- so winter was a great time for me to sit down with my 3D computer program (I am an engineer after all), and get our design ideas on "paper" and see what works.
Well, before I even really got started with idea generation, I started digging into building codes in the area and made a few phones calls to our local inspectors. I found out lots of useful information that put a damper on some of my plans. First, While our windows met egress standards for the year the home was built (1996), standards have changed. My local home depot man said we'd be OK since the code typically goes with the year the home was built. Unfortunately this wasn't true for us since it's a 'change of use' of the space (to habitable space - regardless of if it's a bedroom), and that requires NEW WINDOWS. Ugh, luckily I found some non-custom casement windows on home depot that we can 'pop in' to replace our current windows.
We (mostly I) had a lot of grandiose visions for the basement including a bar, a workout space, potentially a 'brew room' - my husband is into home brewing - a full bathroom, and a bedroom - or living room with pull out couch. I wanted to get this project at least mostly complete before we started procreating in the coming years- so winter was a great time for me to sit down with my 3D computer program (I am an engineer after all), and get our design ideas on "paper" and see what works.
Well, before I even really got started with idea generation, I started digging into building codes in the area and made a few phones calls to our local inspectors. I found out lots of useful information that put a damper on some of my plans. First, While our windows met egress standards for the year the home was built (1996), standards have changed. My local home depot man said we'd be OK since the code typically goes with the year the home was built. Unfortunately this wasn't true for us since it's a 'change of use' of the space (to habitable space - regardless of if it's a bedroom), and that requires NEW WINDOWS. Ugh, luckily I found some non-custom casement windows on home depot that we can 'pop in' to replace our current windows.
Also, through my digging into building codes I found out that for every room you need 2 exits - one is the stairs, the other is the window. So, this left us with two options.
This was NOT originally the design goal but we realized that adding too many walls really chopped up the space so we went with Option #2 - callingIncome Property - anyone with me? anyone? So as you can see from the floor plan above we had to modify our original vision a bit (but really, not too much). We will still have a bar area - but it will be smaller than originally planned. We will still have a gym! Wahoo - my husband and I are really into P90X3 - love it by the way! We will have a living area with (maybe) a pull out couch - depends if we can get it through our stairs!! and finally, we will only have a half bath instead of a full bath.
So I took to Google Sketchup (really easy to use even if you're not that familiar with 3D programs) to get the design really started. Here's a few things that are great about doing this in a 3D program instead of by hand.
- Option 1: divide the two egress windows (that are within 3 feet of each other) with a partition wall to make two 'habitable spaces',
- Option 2: make 1 large open-concept room.
This was NOT originally the design goal but we realized that adding too many walls really chopped up the space so we went with Option #2 - callingIncome Property - anyone with me? anyone? So as you can see from the floor plan above we had to modify our original vision a bit (but really, not too much). We will still have a bar area - but it will be smaller than originally planned. We will still have a gym! Wahoo - my husband and I are really into P90X3 - love it by the way! We will have a living area with (maybe) a pull out couch - depends if we can get it through our stairs!! and finally, we will only have a half bath instead of a full bath.
So I took to Google Sketchup (really easy to use even if you're not that familiar with 3D programs) to get the design really started. Here's a few things that are great about doing this in a 3D program instead of by hand.
- Google Sketchup is FREEEEEEE!
- It's easy to change! I can just keep saving the file with new names and try new configurations
- In Google Sketchup you can easily download tables, bars, kitchens, and even art work from the Sketchup 3D Warehouse - super fun!
- It's easy to rearrange and make sure your furniture fits!
- There is a way for you to 'walk around' the space which makes it seem more real and gives you a better since of if it's a good design.
- There are lots of tutorials which makes it easier to learn!
So enough about what I did and more about what I plan?? OK!
So, I took some before pictures this weekend- which I'm typically terrible about because I think the before pictures needs to be pretty and everything should be picked up. Yeah - well - I'm over that. So... excuse my before pictures :).
So, I took some before pictures this weekend- which I'm typically terrible about because I think the before pictures needs to be pretty and everything should be picked up. Yeah - well - I'm over that. So... excuse my before pictures :).
The first room is the living area and workout space. Our idea was that we wanted to use a staircase that is more see-through than normal so it really feels like one space. I put in a window bench under our windows and TV to create a sort of retreat for when we're NOT watching tv and playing games or something. I think it looks cozy
I've seen a lot of great pinterest posts on ways to create storage under your stairs and I really like the idea of a bookshelf under our stairs! I love this idea - and I love the idea of a pop of color behind the bookcase. Look soon for some posts on how to transform Billy bookcases from IKEA to 'custom' built ins ;).
The next big need is a nice workout space. Currently we have our 'gym' on the second floor in one of the spare bedrooms. However, P90X3 has a lot more jumping and you need more space so we moved part of our workouts to the basement - see makeshift 'workout space' with college lamp and all :). We put the stereotypical mirror on the wall for two reasons:
You'll also notice there are two sets of doors. The first set is a closet that is underneath the stair landing and the french doors are to our furnace room/ storage. Never know when you'll need a new furnace ;).
- It's good to check form
- There is no window in this area so it will hopefully (fingers crossed) help displace lights.
You'll also notice there are two sets of doors. The first set is a closet that is underneath the stair landing and the french doors are to our furnace room/ storage. Never know when you'll need a new furnace ;).
Looking back at the living room you can see that we can comfortably fit in a chair and sectional. It's questionable whether or not the chaise will work in the space. I'll have to do some more taping down in the basement - hint this is great, I put masking tape down on the floor of the basement to make sure that I like where the bathroom etc. will be. It helps visualize it.
So a bar area was very important to us because we wanted an adult entertaining/ football watching area. We have a weird cut out where our upstairs bay window is. We thought this was the perfect opportunity for a built in bench. I also wanted to make sure that we could clearly see the bar from the living space. Sketchup is pretty awesome because I put in my actual height (5' 5") and this is my viewing from the couch lol. awesome.
We wanted something simple for the bar area - mainly a few storage cabinets - for booze of course- a mini fridge, and a big sink. The big sink was important because it's replacing our utility sink and the hubs needs a sink to wash out his 6ish gallon bucks and other beer supplies. We wanted a sitting area but didn't want a huge bar area so this is what we settled on. I think it's great.
There are a few things you can't really see in the other pictures I wanted to point out. The door behind the bar is to the bathroom - good thing this isn't a real establishment and guests can make their own drinks here lol. I love that in Sketchup you can play around with flooring too - this is really likely the tile I'm going to go with in the bathroom.
The built in window seat will likely go through some revisions as well. The hubs wants it to look and feel like a bar so we left it all wood now - I had to remove the fabric covered cushion I had on it lol. More soon!
The built in window seat will likely go through some revisions as well. The hubs wants it to look and feel like a bar so we left it all wood now - I had to remove the fabric covered cushion I had on it lol. More soon!
Finally, our storage and furnace room is a great size. I learned some interesting things about building around a furnace from my building codes. First, you have to have 30" of space around the furnace to get to it. OK that's pretty much all I learned- but I thought it was interesting.
Luckily, the floor drain in the basement was not covered by a wall - this was totally happens chance - I forgot about it - but it made it into the furnace room lol. I'm able to get about 4 4' by 8' utility shelfs in the furnace room without violating the previous rules. AWESOME!
Luckily, the floor drain in the basement was not covered by a wall - this was totally happens chance - I forgot about it - but it made it into the furnace room lol. I'm able to get about 4 4' by 8' utility shelfs in the furnace room without violating the previous rules. AWESOME!
So, that's where we're at for now. Design - check. Permits - nope, contractors - nope. building anything - nope.
More soon- this project will go on for a while :).
*Knowgirl Scarlett
More soon- this project will go on for a while :).
*Knowgirl Scarlett