IMO we need to see the plans . I like basement stairs that are not closed off and are part of the original plan I would give anything to be able to have mine much wider and more open but not to be in my home without a huge renovation. Yes noise travels somehwt but placing TV not near the stairs works well I also am not understanding the owners suite shared bathroom item.

I added a screenshot of the floorplan. Hopefully it is visible.

The sound will carry up and down the open stairs, unless there is a door at the bottom of the stairs.

Are you equally concerned about the sound traveling between "Bedroom #2" and "Bedroom #2" with no doors between them?

A "Great Room" is traditionally a living area, dining area, and kitchen al in one large space. Once you layout furniture in the space labeled "Great Room" you may find it is not so great.

There are other issues but I have to get back to the drawing board. Good luck.

Is the overall shape of the house dictated by the lot? I know you are only asking about noise from the basement (build a media room and put doors on it), but I'd make suggestions about the floor plan too.

Put a door at the base of the stairs.

Yes, the shape is very much driven by the lot and it is a 'new urbanist' community where there are porches in front and garages in back on an alley. The house is actually positioned on the far side of the lot, so there is a side garden. This can't be a traditional suburban new build due to the community restrictions and the size/shape of the lots.

We have an open concept home with a rec room, guest room and bathroom in basement. Noise absolutely carries and we can here kids hysterical downstairs when we are on main floor. For now we tolerate it but I suspect within the next couple of years we will put a door down there somehow to lessen the chaos!

Open stairs are so much nicer. Speaking from experience, yes the noise of a tv will travel upstairs. I'm often hearing the phrase "turn it down" in my house. As suggested a door at bottom should alleviate this.

Agree, door at the bottom. You can even make a bit of a "foyer" at the bottom and then have double doors into the basement family room. The doors can also be glass if you want some of the upstairs light to filter down into the space.

I've built and lived in both styles.

Thank goodness no in-laws, no TV sports fanatics!

But with four kids, tightly-fitted solid-core doors were a must.

@chispa love these ideas

Chispa has a good idea. My DSIL has open stairs to the basement, at the bottom is a nice-sized room with double doors to the rec room, bar, a home office, guest room and bath, and storage. The nice thing is you don’t look down the stairs and see a door, and the landing is large enough to set a piece of furniture down, turn it easily, and catch your breath before continuing on. also in that space is a closet. The arrangement is nice for guests, too too, who feel like they have their own space.

What i don’t lke in your plan is stairs going down right next to the bedroom door.

IMO a media room with doors solves the issuand allow the look of the open stairs I think media rooms well sound proofed are always a great idea.. IMO putting a door at the bottom just negates the whole look of a nice staicase. I too notice issues with layout of the spaces .

Upstairs, if you put the kids’ bathroom on the outside wall it could have a window.

We had the open concept basebasement stairway in our last house and we were always YELLING ”turn it down” to our young sons. this time we put a door in. really good decision, especially since one of those twin boys now lives in the basement while going to college.

our door is at the top of the stairway. serves a duo purpose of keeping young grandkids from falling down stairs.

Perhaps something like this.

@ILoveRed, I remember the views out the back of your house ... so your son has pretty fancy college accommodations! :-)

Lol, chispa. he basically has an apartment. the other twin is taking a gap year.

Well...would it help your decision-making if you just didn't have a basement?

Then the stairs could go to the second floor, then ILoveRed's son could move in with you and have an even nicer place to live.

Our rambler stairs are open to lower level. Builder added some additional soundproofing between floors and it makes a big difference.