Oh, the gloomy basements we’ve seen. Think sprawling layouts, little or no insulation, leaky windows, and bare concrete floors. Even when fully excavated, many basements in older homes are damp and poorly lit with exposed pipes snaking through the ceiling. Mechanicals slosh and grumble in dark rooms like a B movie soundstage. Many are dumping grounds for the accumulation of odds and ends; boxes from two moves ago sit next to old furniture and mementos which nobody dares to bring upstairs—the silent subterranean crowd that reminds us of our previous lives. The list is long and grim.
Once upon a time, this basement was just another forlorn basement on the North Shore and the least attractive place in the home. Last century builders often assumed that homeowners would have little use for their basements. After all, who would want to spend time down there? Today, we know better.
We happen to adore those old and unloved caverns; in fact, the uglier the better. Such a good opportunity to take advantage of the enclosed square feet without a costly addition and zoning board review! The neglected basement is a prime area for improvement.
The same could describe a basement we recently improved. This 1909 home had been treated kindly for more than a century, but the basement was an afterthought. After the owners eliminated the water problem, we executed an architectural plan to convert the sprawling unfinished basement into a multifunctional space that included a new laundry room, media room, gym, and wine cellar. In other words, something for everybody.
The old laundry room was dark and dank. New cabinetry, tile, and wallpaper make laundry less of a chore. We added a dry bar to complement the media room.
The new gym with rubber flooring. New windows and insulation help keep the basement comfortable.
Another view of the gym with ballet barre and alcove lighting. It’s a happy day when you can load your wine collection into the new cellar that holds more than 900 bottles.
We were delighted to help this family reclaim their basement so that it meets their needs today and provides flexibility as their young children grow. Along with organized storage, they now have a place to enjoy regularly instead of avoiding it unless it was absolutely necessary to go downstairs. Basements are a good example of what we refer to as “recaptured” square feet: the space was always there, but unsightly and ignored. Once lost and now found. If you have a weary basement in need of some improvements, don’t hesitate to contact us. Cheers!
