Basements in the Birmingham area have come a long way since the old-furniture-on-bare- concrete playrooms of childhood. Homeowners today want to feature elaborate living spaces that include full service entertainment centers, home offices and gyms, self-contained ensuites, and more. But like any complex home remodeling project, doing things right the first time will save your Michigan family from endless hassle, added expense, and avoidable stress—and this blog shows how.
Step 1: Visualize Your Dream Basement
The sky’s the limit far as home remodeling options go, a truism that even applies below ground. Budget, timing, and space are your only limitations, so a great place to start is your imagination. Go downstairs and take a look around. If you’re like most Pleasant Ridge homeowners, you’ll have plenty of square footage to transform into an entire floor of optimal form and function based on you and your family’s immediate needs, and longer-term desires for an improved quality of life.
Popular reasons Royal Oak residents remodel their basements include creating an additional living space, such as a family room; a new socializing space for friends and extended family; an ensuite for grandparents or kids visiting from school; and a home gym, or office. Since you and your architect are starting from scratch, these designs should be blended with clear goals and design creativity to transform your basement into a wonderful multifunctional area of your home.
A vital part of discovery is talking to your family to determine their specific needs, and get a sense of their expectations. You might be surprised to hear that a state-of-the-art entertainment center with a home theater and game room may win out over a new family room, or additional guest bedroom. Regardless which remodeling path you take, consider adding useful and fun improvements such as a bathroom, kitchenette area, or when age-appropriate, a wet bar.
Here’s where the unique qualities of a basement remodel offer numerous options, and demand special considerations. Since most Michigan basements are about equal in space to the first floor, you’ll have plenty of room to work with. Make sure to also note the many limitations and quirks, such as obtrusive hvac and other utilities, supporting beams and columns, limited natural lighting, and the need for an egress window to allay safety concerns.
Step 2: Make Your Dream Basement a Reality
After you and your family describe the dream, the next step is to determine budget, which you may base on the size and structure of your existing home. Central to figuring that out is determining whether any walls have to come down, be moved or added, and what kind of plumbing and electrical work will be necessary to turn your drab basement into a fully functional new living space, one well-equipped with lighting, water, ventilation, and all the luxurious extras.
At this point the expertise of an architect and interior designer is necessary, and you have the choice to hire one yourself, or partner with an integrated design build remodeling company where they are part of the larger team. Going the latter route is recommended to ensure that nothing is lost in the communication between the designers and the builders, and to provide you with a single point of contact throughout the project, making your life much easier at every step.
By partnering with a local design build firm, your budget and timeline should be accurate from the get go. Most changes can be avoided thanks to seamless communication between each of the experts involved in the project, from concepting through completion. Consider how a basement bathroom, kitchen, or bar will require infrastructure adjustments to your home that impact everything from budget to timing. Ensure your whole team is in sync!
As far as the layout goes, options abound, and range from closed designs where each specialized area is compartmentalized, to more open arrangements featuring a large shared space that blends into various ergonomic experiences. Regardless which style you choose, make sure you and your family’s needs drive the blueprints, instead of the other way around. Be clear about what you want your new basement to do, and the form will follow the function to perfection.
Step 3: Design Your Basement from the Inside, Out
A proven best practice for basement remodels throughout Southeast Michigan is to choose an area of focus, and design around it. For example, if the renovated basement’s primary function is to become a stunning new family room, then perhaps a modern fireplace wall with Peau de Beton concrete paneled tile, surrounded by a limestone mantel and hearth will not only make a statement, but center the energy and experience around a gorgeous interior design element.
Floors, walls, and ceilings should align with that focus, and the overall look and feel of your entire residence. If your home’s mood and style are rustic, consider appropriate Country Oak wood plank vinyl flooring, and perhaps a vivid Benjamin Moore or Sherwin Williams eggshell finish for matching walls. An stunning kitchenette featuring semi-custom Omega or custom Plain & Fancy cabinetry with a shaker door style, quartz countertops, and brushed bronze finished hardware for the fixtures might be the perfect finishing touch. The point is that, working with a talented Interior Designer, you will find the design that speaks directly to YOU!
Southeastern Michigan homes also abound with basement bathrooms designed with comparable levels of quality and sophistication. Tuck a half-bath near a stairwell, for instance, designed using the same custom cabinetry and countertops as the adjacent kitchenette. Finish the distinctive look with gorgeous wallpaper and quartz or quartzite countertops and a fun tile design. Foster the illusion of natural light by adding glass subway tile and open wall shelving.
Basement windows are usually either nonexistent or tiny, so the choice of lighting elements and fixtures is also important. Coordinate them with the rest of the lower level decor, not to mention the floors above. Continuing the rustic theme, consider a modern Filament Chandelier in a bronze finish hung above the kitchenette table, or light up your mirrors with shaded wall sconces. Drab basement no more! Turn your cellar into a palace.
Step 4: Example of a Design Build Basement Remodel
An exciting and innovative example of putting steps 1-3 into practice for spectacular results is this basement remodel for a discerning Bloomfield couple. Natalie and John wanted to convert their under-utilized mess of a 1,300 square foot basement into a fully functional and gorgeous entertaining space, designed for “University of Michigan” football Saturdays, March Madness and gameroom for all their friends and family. A blank slate enabled their design build remodeling firm to start literally from scratch:
These stunning results were no accident. “What struck me from the very beginning of the project was how everything was all-inclusive,” beams Natalie. “We didn’t have to hire an architect, who instead was integrated, and made things streamlined and efficient.” Working with the couple, the architect designed their new “Entertainment Center” basement into an open space for groups, with compartmentalized areas that featured their own lounge, bar, bedroom, and bathroom.
Although the basement was unfinished, a custom tin ceiling, reclaimed brick walls, and beautiful beam work were designed into the pub-like bar, and augmented by Core-Tec wood grained flooring and a gorgeous, custom finished, black wainscot. The handmade wood bar is the main focus of the layout. Handcrafted steel doors are welded to a built-in liquor cabinet, and a rear wall of stainless steel refrigerator, freezer, ice maker, beer unit, drawers, and sink make the grade.
Adjacent to the bar is a luxurious TV and sitting area, with a game room large enough for shuffleboard, foosball, and plenty of childrens’ toys. Straight ahead through a small hallway lies the full featured bathroom with an oversized shower, white subway tile, and restoration fixtures. A chunky steel and marble vanity complements the urban styling in the other open areas. A cozy bedroom nearby has oversized closets, and an egress window for natural light and safety.
“The level of detail and preparation on the front end provided an incredible amount of confidence in our relationship early in the process,” smiles John. “The firm was transparent about what was included in the design build process, and were approachable and easy to partner with at every step.” The seamless connectivity and single point of contact also enabled Natalie and John to rest assured knowing the job was getting done on time, and on budget.
Entertainment Area
Bedroom
Built in Cabinet
Bathroom
Step 5: Partner with Birmingham’s Best Basement Remodeler
MainStreet Design Build is a full-service, design-build remodeling firm headquartered in Birmingham, MI. The local leader, MainStreet is committed to delivering a luxurious end-to-end experience marked by personal care, accountability, timeless design, and exacting attention to detail. Since 1991, our team has made the renovation process comfortable, enjoyable, and safe, ensuring your home and basement transformation exceeds your expectations at every turn.
With a deep bench of architects, interior designers, and craftspeople, MainStreet Design Build is favored by discerning homeowners throughout Southeast Oakland County who value a high level of comfort and trust in knowing that their remodeling project will be done RIGHT. Browse our gallery of award-winning basement renovations, and schedule a virtual design consultation. Let’s partner today to make your dream basement a reality, and do it on time and on budget.
