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Now I'm a Basement Guru!

A couple of months ago I had a chance to talk about basements. Boring? Nope – finished basements are an opportunity to give a home that extra pizzazz and personality that can help it sell. In fact, that was the point of "Reinventing the Basement," one of the featured articles in the current issue of Maryland Distinctive Properties published by The Daily Record.

Journalist Carrie Oleynik found me through - of course - Active Rain. She asked about what kinds of things I have seen in basements over the years. What haven't I seen?! As she says in the article, there have been the usual in-law or au pair suites and personal retreats. But I've also seen hair salons, wine cellars, specially designed rooms for any kind of collection you can imagine, home-school rooms, and areas just for the convenience and care of pets. Home offices, media rooms, and home gyms are common, but how about an Olympic-sized ping pong table and competition area?

Basement Finish

Basement Wine Music

Basement Pool Table

Basement Bar One of my favorites was this amazing basement that had a restaurant-sized C-shaped lighted glass block and granite bar. Greek columns visually divided the area that had room for shuffle board, a pool table, big screen TV, gaming table etc. Custom built-ins included wine storage, and the wood burning fireplace added warmth. Behind mirrored doors was a walk-in cedar closet with plenty of storage. Marble floors, a powder room, and separate entrance created the perfect party place.

Basements are one area where people can carve out a very personal space and mold it to their special interests. What interesting and unique basements have you seen?

Posted by Margaret Rome-- HomeRome Realty on 09/03/2007 03:38 PM

Comments (21)

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Originally posted at: Margaret Rome's Blog: Now I'm a Basement Guru!

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21 Comments on Now I'm a Basement Guru!

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2007

You know I have never lived in a house with a basement and rarely seen one. It looks like the room where the husband has to live and keep all his toys:)

Bryant, Basements are a big deal in Baltimore! I have sold a few without but it is definitely not the norm. So many uses for basements and it is a good place for all of us to keep our toys including the occasional hubby who has to live down there.

My ceramic studio was in my basement aka as the lower level.

We have no basements and therefore, no pool table. ;)

Chris,

We have lots of pool tables and lots of media rooms.

Could really use some Florida type homes here. Plenty of buyers would be happy with a rancher sans lower level.

One thing with basements is that they are very personal. Often, despite the huge cash that gets tossed in, the renovation doesn't add much value... unless there is a buyer looking for the same thing. It figures that if you have a media room, the buyers will be looking for bedrooms. If you have bedrooms, they'll be looking for a wine cellar and pub.

BTW, one of my clients put in a wine cellar, pub, and game room. It is a great space.

Lane, You are right ,basements are very personal. Sometimes the basements are not finished. This can be a plus for some because they can then design for specific needs. Many times that media room can be used for a bedroom. As long as the space is finished there are many different ways of utilizing these areas.

When I have a listing with unfinished area...my description reads.." Lower Level ready finish to meet your special needs!"

I have also seen the rowhomes in Baltimore, and there are some really cool layouts for basements. It's one of my favorite rooms in the house because it's the only room that isn't already designated to be something (dining rm, bedroom, etc). So it's up to the owner to create something unique. And some homeowners have done a great job creating an amazing space.

Max, You are so right about this space not being already designated.

I remember one client, an avid golfer, who dug his basement way deep and then put in and a Driving Range with a heavy duty net, of course.

Decorating basements can be a lot of fun! I once saw with in a Betty Boop theme. I wish I had taken pictures. I could only imagine the fun parties that took place there.

Margaret,

My friend used to have lots of rooms in his...we also called it the hang out... Rob's Rainbow lounge.:)

Basements are an absolute must in Ann Arbor. People won't even look at the house if they don't have one. At least many people won't. I grew up in the South so I wasn't use to one. But, man I love mine now. If I ever get to move back it is a "must have" on my list. My teens have loved it too, keeps them home instead of the street.

Kris, That Betty Boop basement must have been a fun place.

Neal, Bet you had a lot of good times in Rob's Rainbow lounge.

Missy, Basements do keep the kids home and I find that most people absolutely want a basement.

Margaret, what a unique post. Out here in Cali there few basements. My wife's grandparents, however, were from the midwest and the basement was the hangout. There was a pool table, a pinball game, air hockey and a sweet 8-track that had Billy Joel's Zanzibar album...thanks for the memory.

Joey, Thanks for stopping by and glad that this post brought back some good memories.

Margaret, Enjoyed reading this post and also enjoyed reading the article that appeared in The Daily Record. Some very creative ideas you share here from the many basements you have seen. I have a new listing with a room decorated with loads of beer related collections - signs,signs that light up, statues, paintings from beer companies. What is special is that they are Guenther, National Bo and other "oldie but goodies" from the Baltimore area. It is unique, Hon.

Pat, I am looking forward to you posting that new listilng with lots of cool photos. Where is your new listing? I want to hear all about it!!

Margaret, I will have it up next weekend, still doing some sprucing up and building a set of steps. I will post it - especially the National Bo room ;) It is in Annapolis, near the water, in a cool community that has converted from a few weekend cottages to a thriving year round community with water privileges and a great school nearby. And I will get your tips for having it come up on Google, they will love it!

I love basements Margaret, what a great addition to any home if properly done. Hmmm, mine is half finished, perhaps I should hire you to do the rest....before I sell of course. Great pics by the way!

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2007

Jason, Sounds like a good project for you! Go finish your basement and do a basement remodel blog series. Thanks for stopping. That client's basement was an all time favorite of mine.

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2007

I just found this post...it brought back memories of our basement with a jukebox, pinball machine and pool table we were THE hangout for my friends as a teen. We don't have many basements here in NC as they are too expensive or problematic to build. Most of my buyers from the north really want basements because I think they represent that part of the home where they experienced so much happiness!

Sounds like your basement was a highlight of your youth.

Diane, Enjoy the races today!! Fourth Annual Dachshund Race in Downtown Mooresville

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