My own preference when exercising is to have air - maybe ventilation would've been good where planned, but just a mention that near a window could be nice.... media doesn't need a window, or does it?

I second everdebz, a window is so helpful in an exercise room. And if you don't have walls in, you could easily switch the spaces. A media room doesn't need outside light at all. Do you have large equipment for your exercise room? Are the doors going to be wide enough to get the equipment through?

The room that says media room will actually be the exercise room. And the one that says exercise room will be a playroom. He is putting a wider door on the exercise room so we can get equipment in there and all the storage boxes that will go in the closets along the back wall.

Thank you for the suggestions. :)

I suppose with a closed-off play space you could have padding/ climbing who knows!? Here's an Ikea idea for under stairs - a cozy hideaway [most kids like that don't they?] Course I mean at top of under-stairs.... room could have murals/ neat lighting... or 1-person hammock sold with a stand to be moved around/ Pier 1 I think sells too...

Thank you! I love that idea!

Is that a sliding glass door?

I like the practicality/ beauty of a 2-sided fireplace....which wall will have tv/media stuff? and maybe fireplace? Cause if you have larger groups, how will viewing be best for you and them? Sometimes I like the long/narrow set-up.

Any thoughts about bathroom placement [roughed in?] mudroom function coming from outdoors?

A steam shower instead of tub, and located in exercise room - I like dreaming can you tell??!!

You sound like you have a lot of grand ideas like my husband. But, I'm over here trying to be frugal. Haha

The basement is mostly underground with the sliding doors on the other side being a walkout level.

The bathroom placement is the only thing that has to stay as is because it's already roughed in that way.

He put that fireplace there and I was thinking we would put the tv above that. But, I really am not good at visualizing things. So it's all open for change. I'm not even sure if we will even put a fireplace either. Can you tell how indecisive I am!? Haha

If you keep the fireplace I would not hang the tv above it, especially if that is one of the main functions of the room. It puts The TV at too high of a viewing position and strains your neck.

Books inside of staircase and/or facing kids' room? sconces nice.

Seems that you could eliminate the door at far right of fireplace --have storage door open into playroom / or into hallway?

If mine, I'd eliminate the utility room door from exercise room.

Our house had a walkout basement [that faced south, nice] and there were no windows possible on sides - not for yours either? So you want the side of basement to have the closet?

Possible use of tv wall's system while exercising? You might not want an exercise wall, just brainstorming with you, but I guess that's why you're picking our brains? :)

Sometimes when a builder roughs in the bath it is not always in the best or correct positions. I hope yours is good. Usually the plumbing on the first floor can determine where the plumbing should go on the basement or 2nd floor.

I don't know the exact of it all - but what if you'd like the look of/ practical view into playroom of these see-through staircase walls? You I hope are glad to have a handy husband!!!! Or any style you want / open on the basement's hallway side.

The TV above the fireplace does strain the neck. I would put it eye level for comfort. And if it were me, I wouldn't close off any of the rooms. I would simply designate the spaces with types of room dividers (like ikea's KALLAX shelving unit.). Seeing the tv from the treadmill could be really nice. And my kids take the toys out to join the rest of us anyway.