Hi there! We just bought a house and we are looking to do some remodeling to the basement. We plan to add an addition to the above ground basement which will become a 5th bedroom. What we want to do is re-configure the layout of the existing basement so we can build a theater room area, craft "room" area, gym and storage area. We are okay with an open-concept theater room since the spaces seem small to close it in. My husband and I are disagree on how we should set up the theater room, and which walls we should knock down. We took some pictures and I put some description of our thoughts. Anyone have thoughts of how we could modify the current layout to best fit our needs?

Picture #1:

This is the open space. The measurements are approximate and are in feet (sorry for the typo below in the pic). The window will become a door which will lead out to the 5th room addition. I planned on setting up my craft "room" to the right (where it says 2'6")I have a large cabinet in the inset and will set up a table too. Where you see 9'6", we planned on taking down that wall to open up into the room behind it (see pic #2). we were thinking of building the open-concept theater room in that area. There is a step down of 8" into the room behind the door. I was thinking we raise the floor of the room to match the open area (since it will be too costly to widen the step-down) and put the TV/screen on the wall where the window is. My husband thinks we should put the TV on the other side (i.e. 9'6" wall, but on the corresponding wall in the room behind it). Not sure how either one will work. Right by the door to the right, there is a supporting beam, so we will have a column right there in the middle.

Picture #2 (Room behind open space depicted in Picture #1).

Picture #3: Room behind the room depicted in Picture #2

This room we planned to use as the gym.

Picture #4: Room next to the room depicted in Picture #2.

We planned to make this area into storage. I wanted to build a wall where the pole is straight down. This way, the area to the right of the pole is open storage, and the area to the left of the pole would be a hallway to the gym room (Picture #3).