By Peter Jeswald
Transform Your
Musty Basement Into A Beautiful Living Space
How do you turn your basement into the place to be? You transform
it from a cramped, musty space to terrific rooms your family members
will want to be in. No more dreaded trips to put in a load of
laundry in a dark, dank locale or retrieve something from gloomy,
cavernous storage. Instead, you'll enter a warm, welcome family
room, a cozy home office, or a slick gym.
For the motivation to pull these basement renovations off, look
to Basement Ideas That Work. Filled with practical and
budget-friendly advice, Basement Ideas That Work not only helps you
to get more enjoyment from your home, but increases its value in a
single leap -- a finished basement reportedly earns an average of
90% of its remodeling cost back at resale.
The most extensive basement design book ever!
- Part of the Ideas That Work series
- Invaluable whether your basement rehab plans are grand or
modest
- Covers every aspect of turning your basement into prime
living space... The Ups and Downs of Stairs, Adding Windows,
Waterproofing, more
- Covers every aspect of transforming your basement into your
dream place! Home theater and entertainment center, play area,
craft and hobby retreat, secluded study, personal gym, laundry
room you'll love, more
- 20 amazing case studies, 250 full-color photos (Be inspired
by incredible ugly-duckling-into-sensational-swan success
stories)
- The latest exciting options in flooring, lighting, sound
proofing, electronic equipment
Savvy solutions for a basement's special problems -- moisture,
heating, plumbing, dealing with immovable obstructions
- Don't let another day go by without exploring the
possibilities awaiting you "downstairs"...send for Basement
Ideas That Work!
About the author
Designer and builder Peter Jeswald's accomplishments include
residential homes, medical facilities, retail stores, restaurants
and schools. The author of two building books, he makes his home in
Massachusetts where you're very likely to find him at work or play
in the basement!
Introduction:
Let's face it. When it comes to remodeling, basements often don't
get much respect. But given the way basements have been treated in
the past, it's easy to see why. Viewed as cheap space, most
basements were literally done "on-the-cheap." Design and space
layout were virtually ignored. Little attention was paid to the
unique requirements of basement construction. And most of the
materials installed in basements looked like leftovers from bargain
bins. As a result, many basements were just not inviting places.
Over time, they reverted to their previous function as storage
depots.
Perhaps motivated by increasing home prices and construction
costs, homeowners and builders have begun to take a fresh look at
basements. Time is now spent thinking about how to effectively use
basement space. Advances in building science provide an
understanding of proper basement construction techniques. And
quality materials are becoming the rule, not an exception. After
all, you wouldn't use inferior materials in a kitchen or bathroom
remodel, so why should a basement be treated any differently?
Is your home bursting at the seams, every nook and cranny filled
by your growing family? Do your children need a place to get away
from their parents -- or vice versa? Perhaps you'd like to
telecommute and need a home office. What about a place to exercise
so you can keep up with your kids? You've thought about moving, but
you love the neighborhood and the schools. Rearranging the furniture
won't solve the problems: You definitely need more space. Building
an addition seems like the best solution. Or is it?
Basement Ideas That Work shows you that a better answer
may be right under your nose. The following pages will change your
image of basements forever. In fact, you might turn a page and find
yourself exclaiming, "That can't be a basement." You'll see that
basements can accommodate almost every housing need or activity you
might have. And there's a lot of nitty-gritty information that will
help you determine if remodeling your basement makes sense for you.
Even if you're already sold on a basement remodel, Basement
Ideas That Work has something for you. In addition to
inspiration, this book provides you with tricks and techniques to
overcome the special challenges basements present.
So set aside your preconceived notions of what remodeled
basements used to be and enjoy a tour through the world of the
up-to-date basement.
Contents:
Introduction 2
Chapter 1
From Storage to Living
Space 4
Transforming Your
Basement 6
The Ups and Downs of
Stairs 8
Lighting the Way 12
Putting It All Together:
Rehabilitating a Bad
Remodeling Job 14
Flooring 16
Walls and Ceilings 18
The Essentials Wall
Surfaces 20
The Essentials: Ceiling
Materials 24
Adding Windows 26
The Essentials: Types of
Windows 27
An Open and Shut Case
for Doors 28
The Essentials: Types of
Doors 29
Putting It All Together:
From Storage Room to
Family Room 30
Chapter 2
Planning Your Finished
Basement 32
Make a Wish List 34
Understanding Basement
Construction 36
Putting It All Together:
Opening Up the Stairs 38
Dealing with
Obstructions 42
Waterproofing Your
Basement 48
Moving into the Design
Phase 52
Putting it All Together:
A Period Remodel 53
Chapter 3
Gathering Spaces 56
Open Floor Plan versus
Multiple Rooms 58
Putting It All Together:
A Remodeled Basement for
the Entire Family 60
Family Rooms 62
Putting It All Together:
A Family Room that
Entertains 70
Entertaining Areas 80
Home Theaters 88
The Essentials:
Incandescent versus
Fluorescent Lighting 97
Putting It All Together:
Lighting a Home Theater
100
Chapter 4
Activity Spaces 102
Home Fitness Rooms 104
The Essentials: Flooring
112
Play Spaces 114
Putting It All Together:
A Playroom for Kids of
All Ages 118
Putting It All together:
Creating Zones for
Multiple Activities 122
Craft and Hobby Spaces
128
Putting It All Together:
A Craft Space with Flair
129
Laundry Rooms 132
Chapter 5
Private Spaces 136
Home Offices 138
Putting It All Together:
Ready for Work 140
Studies 154
Guest Rooms 158
Putting It All Together:
Raising the Ceiling to
Add Light and Views 164
Putting It All Together:
Home Away from Home 168
Resources 172
Credits 173
Index 175
Soft-cover, 9 x 10-1/2 in., 184 pages, with
250 color photos and 23 drawings
Published 2004
ISBN: 978-1-56158-937-1
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