Full Basement Finish - a few questions...

4 years ago

We're about to finish a 1400 sq ft unfinished basement. The house is a 1400 sq ft ranch so this will nearly double our liveable space. It's a long, narrow space with the stairs and furnace in the middle to work around. There is rough in plumbing which sets the bathroom where it is. We're stuck on a few design details. Would love advice!

1) We have white faux wood shutters on the main level and love them. Should we do the same in the basement or go with a less expensive black out roller shade?

2) I am a personal trainer and do a lot of sessions on Zoom. One room will be a gym where I'll be working. It's off the new TV room. Do we use a solid wood door like all the others or create more light in this room by having a door with glass?

3) We currently do not have a closet in the design for the gym. Wondering if we should? If so, it would create a "bump out" design going into the living room as I can't afford to lose space in the gym.

4) We don't want to walk down the stairs and have a solid wall on the left. This seems as though it will make the basement feel smaller. We are considering framing out a small doorway to the left into the laundry/storage room and a larger entry into the livingroom. Thoughts on this design?

5) Do we pay $800 more to add a sink by the laundry?

6) What else?? Thank you!

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Comments (7)

2pups4me
4 years ago
A couple of questions for you -

Is the laundry area your only laundry area in the house?

What type of equipment will you use in the workout room?
Lyndee Lee
4 years ago
If you move the freezer you could put a door to the hallway and have easy access to the bathroom sink. Where would you wash out paint brushes? I have a combined laundry room and bathroom in the basement with a large china sink where I wash paint brushes and do similarly messy tasks. If you don't want to use your basement bath for such tasks add the laundry sink
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Annie Garland
Original Author
4 years ago
Very good point on accessing the bathroom sink. Let me see if we can swing that.
Annie Garland
Original Author
4 years ago
Yes the laundry is our only laundry. That's currently where our washer and dryer are and there is no other place upstairs for them. The quote to move them a few feet over is between $1k and $1600.
I use a variety of small equipment in the gym but also have a spin bike and need a laptop set up with enough distance for me to stand back and demonstrate exercises on video.
Sigrid
4 years ago
I'd put a big sink in the laundry room. I've had houses without a laundry sink and for $800, I'd say definitely.
Sigrid
4 years ago
One way to deal with a bump out is to put built in shelves on either side, so it looks deliberate.
2pups4me
4 years ago
I would opt for a utility tub or sink near the laundry. Do you have a space to fold clothes, store detergent, etc ?. I see a proposed storage closet, but not a space for everything that goes along with doing laundry.