How Much Does a Basement Renovation Cost?
Here’s what you need to start planning.
Basement renovations may not be at the top of your home improvement list, but you may change your mind after you read this guide! Basements tend to get less renovation love compared to kitchens and bathrooms. However, with a little renovation TLC, basement spaces can be transformed into dream office spaces, entertainment spaces, or studios. We’ll go over how much a basement renovation costs using a real-life example, and break down everything you need to know about the process.
How Much Does a Basement Renovation Cost?
The first question you’re probably asking is, "How much does a basement renovation cost?" The final cost largely depends on your basement size and your finishes. It generally costs between $25 and $50 per square foot to finish an unfinished basement, but it could go higher based on a number of factors. The most common factors include: adding lighting and electrical wiring, heating and insulation, flooring, plumbing, or any special features, such as a wet bar or a second kitchen. While the homeowner in the example below renovated her basement for under $1,000, a basement renovation could cost upward of $40,000.
For this colorful basement renovation, the homeowner spent:
- Flooring: around $500
- Wall repairs and panels: $40
- Wallpapering supplies: $45
- Paint and supplies: $40
- Wallpaper: around $35 per roll
The Details
This homeowner’s basement was previously used as a makeshift office, housing a barely used desk and filing cabinet. The room needed a renovation, but it was very low on the to-do list. After receiving some water damage, the homeowners took the opportunity to renovate the space.
Flooring
The water-damaged carpet was replaced by vinyl flooring, which is waterproof and reduces the chance of future water damage. For this homeowner, this was the costliest portion of the renovation, but also the most essential. For more information about incorporating vinyl flooring into your home, you can read our guide, What Is Vinyl Flooring?
The drywall was also repaired, and a water-valve access panel was created instead of closing the wall off completely. The homeowners incorporated the wall panels into the overall look of the room. One of the panels was disguised as art, while the other two were painted over to create a colorful wall mural.
The room looked and felt larger with the new neutral wall color, but the homeowners thought it still needed some pizzazz and pops of color. The solution was to cover the ceiling with colorful graphic wallpaper. Wallpapering your ceiling may seem overwhelming, but we promise you can do it. We’ll walk you through the steps in our guide, Breaking the Rules: How to Wallpaper Your Ceiling.
Storage is always a need for a studio or office. Open shelving units are great for both storing frequently used supplies and displaying special items. Plus, they don’t require any drilling into your walls!
Accessories
Choose accessories that complement your space, like the bohemian accents that make this basement renovation feel comfortable and stylish. You can infuse your style into your room in many ways, including:
Plants: Even if you don’t have a lot of natural light in your basement, you can still incorporate live plants. Plants can still thrive in low-lighting spaces. However, you may want to consider only using plants that require low lighting or faux plants when decorating a basement room.
Baskets: Keep your shelves organized (and clutter at bay) by using baskets to sort your things.
Decorative objects: What better way to inject your personality into a room than with decorative objects? From geometric shapes to animal figurines, you can add whatever fits your style.
Stephanie Watkins is the designer and DIY crafter behind the colorful blog, Casa Watkins Living. When it comes to home decorating, Stephanie loves vibrant and eclectic spaces infused with global touches. Her home and projects have been featured in top design websites. Stephanie continues to share her easy decorating ideas and projects on her growing Instagram account, @casawatkinsblog. She lives in Maryland with her husband and three children.
