This project was a major kitchen upgrade for a substantial home built in the early 1990s. It included new cabinets, countertops, lighting, appliances, tile backsplashes, and refinished hardwood floors. Cabinets and Crown Colding were raised to the ceiling.
Breezeway Cabinets and Countertops Before
Breezeway Cabinets and Countertops, After – Cabinets and Crown Molding are raised to the ceiling. Tile Backsplash added.Oven Bank Before
Oven Bank and Cabinets After. Cabinets and Crown Molding are raised to the ceiling. Tile Backsplash added.
Refrigerator Cabinet Before
Refrigerator Cabinet After – 48in Builtin Subzero
View of Kitchen Breakfast Bar Area Before
Looking over the Breakfast Bar to the Sink area and backyard.
New Work Island and refinished hardwood floors; View from Kitchen to Breakfast Room
JIll Weber, Owner and President of Kitchen Connections, LLC
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Recently, I have noticed increased homeowner interest in finishing basements. For example, YouTube offers many channels devoted to this subject. That would be a relevant indicator of subject matter interest. Those videos now refer to a finished basement as ‘The Lower Level.’ It must be ‘a thing.’ Although most of my business involves remodeling Kitchens and Baths, I have experience in other areas, including finishing and remodeling basements. I just completed a basement remodel, and I am in the final stages of finishing the walk-out basement in our home.
The rationale for finishing a basement varies from adding bedrooms for a growing family to creating lavish Bars and Home Theaters in larger homes. The former adds low-cost living space, while the latter provides highly specialized space for entertaining. Some make apartments to generate rental income and living space for aging parents or adult children. Creating a home office in your basement becomes more important as more people work remotely or have home-based businesses. Additionally, as apartment rents increase in major urban areas, a basement apartment may be an investment opportunity worth considering.
Investing in one’s home is generally a good idea. It has created a lucrative income for me. However, some expenditures have a better payback than others. Remodeling a kitchen or a master bathroom is your best investment. Conversely, a finished basement is not among the best home improvement options. That line of reasoning may be changing as new lifestyle trends emerge.
Viable Reasons to Finish a Basement.
Bedrooms for a growing family
Private space for aging parents
An apartment for an adult child
Space for entertaining, i.e., a home theater or bar
Home office or studio
Gym
Playroom for young children
Space to accommodate a hobby, like a wine cellar, cigar bar, or workshop.
Self-contained space for visiting family and friends
A man cave, a gaming area, etc.
Many homes in our neighborhood have created a Lower Level. On one side, our neighbor finished their basement to provide an apartment for their parents. Our neighbor across the street finished their basement by adding a wine cellar, a wet bar, a gaming area, and a home theatre. The homes in our neighborhood were designed to make it easier to finish a basement. Most have walk-out basements, making a finished basement more useful. Our builders provided rough-in plumbing, and the basements were framed identically to the first floor. The basement framing supports the load of the primary and second floors. So, much of the initial work was already done.
As I said, my husband, Jim, and I are in the final stages of creating a basement apartment in the home we built in 1996. Recently, we recognized a compelling reason to consider finishing our basement. We are empty nesters with far more space than we need. However, we have three daughters with families, i.e., grandchildren, who visit from time to time. A furnished apartment would provide utility for visiting friends and relatives. There are other lesser reasons we considered, of course, like adding a place where Jim and his friends can enjoy a cigar while watching college football when it’s too cold to entertain on the deck. Considering all the potential benefits, we were convinced to take the plunge.
We decided to improve 750 square feet, about half the basement’s total square footage. That is enough room for a comfortable apartment. Our floor plan includes a large living/family room, a bedroom, bathroom, kitchenette, and a fully functional laundry room. This apartment has a private entry into the family room from the concrete patio under the deck. The area to remain unfinished includes a utility room, storage area, and a large area that is Jim’s workshop. The shop area also has a private entrance. That area has excellent potential for future consideration.
Creating our Lower Level has been a learning experience and fun. So much so that it is worth sharing; suppose you have thought about finishing your basement; this series of articles will help you determine if it is a viable option for you, how to plan the project, and what to expect regarding cost. I invite you to stay tuned for posts exploring this topic over the next few months.
For more information about Kitchen Connections, LLC and what we can do for you, visit http://kitchenconnections.biz
Jill Weber, Owner and President of Kitchen Connections, LLC
I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox. Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.
Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read. Your input is very important to me, so please leave a comment.
This project was a complete Kitchen Makeover that included new cabinets, surfaces, lighting, appliances, fixtures, trim, and paint. It is now a highly-functional, contemporary kitchen.
Contact Kitchen Connections to learn how we can improve the functionality and ambiance of your kitchen and bathrooms while increasing the value of your home.
Jill D. Weber is a Licensed Contractor and the owner of Kitchen Connections LLC., an award-winning design company specializing in home remodeling, design, kitchen, and bath cabinetry. She has more than 20 years of experience and stays engaged by managing each project, from start to finish. Your total satisfaction is her primary goal.
