Take Your Home to New Heights With These Elevated Basement Trends (4/4)

Gone are the days when basements were dark, scary places primarily used for laundry and storing holiday decorations. Today, they are an integral part of the in-home experience, offering a unique and exciting extension to primary living areas. And in upscale homes, it is expected that this subterranean square footage be designed with the same high-quality materials and craftsmanship found throughout the rest of the home, including high ceilings, plenty of windows, walk-out access to outdoor amenities, designer finishes and much more.  

Fortunately, you can take that blank canvas from studs to sensational without having to worry about sunk costs. Converting unused basement space to liveable square footage typically makes for a good investment and delivers strong enjoyment and resale value. A win-win for home buyers and homeowners alike. Limited only by your imagination, going underground is all the rage these days, with a tricked-out basement an absolute must for high-end homes. From basement swimming pools to luxury cinemas, the possibilities are virtually endless.  

To help get your creative juices flowing, we have compiled some of the top trends in luxury basement design.  

• Home Theater – Not necessarily a new trend but one with staying power, the perfect home theater can be both a great space to entertain and watch the game and an equally great place to escape and relax. Create the perfect theater setup with some comfy recliners or classic theater seating, some cool lighting, acoustic wall treatment, surround sound and the biggest LED or projector screen that your budget can survive. And do not forget to add your very own movie theater popcorn machine!  
   

• Built-in Wet Bar – Another mainstay in the upscale basement design is the built-in wet bar. There are countless styles and features to consider for your bar. Consider your overall style of home design and let all other decisions stem from there. On the other hand, do not be afraid to have fun with the design and give your lower-level bar a completely different vibe from the rest of your house. Whether your ideal style is a cozy Irish or British-inspired pub with stone and brick accents, an upscale hotel launch with fancy glassware and backlit glass shelving or a classic sports bar showcasing games on multiple flatscreens and memorabilia on the walls, select quality fixtures and add your personal touches to make it your own.  
   
• Hidden Room – There are few architectural details that can give a home a sense of mystery and wonder like a secret door leading to a hidden room. If you have ever wanted a private hideaway, extra secure storage for valuables or an almost magical escape to another world, a hidden room is sure to amaze and inspire. Consider adding this feature to your basement by designing a secret bookshelf, wall or door leading into a hidden room. Use the extra private space for a quiet home office, gym, playroom or perhaps your very own speakeasy or adult lounge decked out with luxury finishes.  
  

• Game Room – Another trend that has survived the test of time is the game room. With today’s elevated spaces, there is no one-size-fits-all when creating a basement game room. From the room design to the colors on the walls, it all depends on your preferences. Some people dream of creating a place to show their latest console, while others choose to keep it strictly card and board games in the basement. Whatever style you are going for, the most important thing is to make it a fun place. From pool tables, shuffleboard and darts to ping pong tables, a console gaming area and even arcade games, the possibilities are endless. To appeal to a wide variety of ages and tastes, try mixing retro, arcade and tabletop games, as well as modern console experiences in your game room.  
  
• Bowling Alley – If you want to add a luxurious and unexpected twist on gaming and entertainment at your house, arguably one of the most unique basement features is a custom bowling alley. It is an effective way to add an all-season entertainment venue to your home that is sure to impress your guests. And since bowling is an indoor sport, it can be played during rain or snow, day or night. There is nothing like knocking down some pins in the comfort of your own home. So “spare” no detail and consider this ultimate addition to your basement.  
  

• Basement Pool  – The ultimate in luxury is an indoor pool. Imagine the convenience of walking a few steps down into your basement to enjoy a relaxing swim any time of day or night and during any type of weather or season. Turning your basement into a pool may not be quite as simple as adding a few rooms or updating the kitchen, but it can add incredible quality to your home for you to enjoy and reap the benefits of when it comes time to sell your home. An indoor basement swimming pool is not only convenient during the summer months but can be enjoyed year-round for entertaining, parties and exercise. Basements serve as the perfect setting for indoor pools. Due to location, flooding is not as much of a concern and the concrete floor is ideal for a pool and lounge area. Depending on space and budget, you may be able to also add a hot tub, spa area or sauna!  
  

• Home Gym – There is no doubt about it, a home gym can be a great convenience. And the cool and quiet nature of basements makes them the perfect spot to build yours. The best home gym design increases the chance of achieving maximum workout benefits while maintaining aesthetic properties with the rest of the house. And to create an upscale home gym, you need to think beyond the traditional treadmill and rack of dumbbells. You also want to invest in various equipment options to help break up the monotony that comes with sticking to the same workout. For example, consider incorporating an indoor lap pool or an indoor climbing wall for strength, agility and overall conditioning. A Pilates reformer machine will help you develop the all-important core strength. Of-the-moment equipment, such as a Peloton or the Mirror, are also popular choices. Just do not forget the rubber flooring!  
  

• Wine Storage  – Transforming your basement into a luxurious and functional wine cellar can be an exciting and rewarding project. With careful planning and attention to detail, you can create a space that not only showcases your wine collection but also offers a luxurious and elegant atmosphere for you and your guests to enjoy. It should be a marriage of both form and function. For true oenophiles, building a beautiful wine cellar is not just about aesthetics. Other features such as placement, security, temperature and humidity control plus different bottles shapes and sizes must be considered. Using a variety of materials ranging from wood to glass, some of the most impressive in-house wine rooms are works of art themselves. For added elegance, consider adding a tasting room to your wine cellar. This addition can create a luxurious and functional space to host wine tastings and entertain guests. The cellar stores and ages wines, while the tasting room provides a comfortable and inviting atmosphere for guests to appreciate the collection’s unique flavors. This combination provides both practicality and luxury, making it a perfect addition to any high-end home.  

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