Too often our basements are treated as afterthoughts during our home decorating process. But, in fact, these below-grade areas can be inviting, integral spaces in our homes and in our family life. We're always afraid of water in the basement, so we feel we don't want to invest too much in this space. But with the right products, water can be far less of an issue, and can truly elevate that otherwise castoff room. Look what one Chatham homeowner did, installing waterproof vinyl flooring to look like wood. Would anyone call this beautiful space "just a basement?"