Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Crowdsourcing: Design ideas for our boring basement?

How many times have you wished you could be on an HGTV show? So many for me, especially when I venture into our basement.

I have actually met David Bromstad (that smile is contagious!) but, alas, I was not allowed to bring him home.

My husband and I bought a new home about a year and a half ago and were quite pleased that a large portion of the basement was already finished with walls, carpet, cable hook-ups, and lighting. The prior owners used it as a movie theater space. We don't really watch TV down there, so it has become a catch-all space for any old furniture (the striped couches that don't match anything are from my single apartment days), plus the Wii game system area, plus a huge indoor "field" for raucous play when the weather is bad.


The space is a very long rectangle with no definition. You go down the stairs, turn right, and almost the entire length of the house is one brown and beige "bowling alley" space. The TV/Wii area is at the end and the empty space for beach ball soccer, Baggo-style games, and spreading MegaBloks is at the end closest to the stairs. The bathroom is finished well and is to the left of the stairs - it's the nicest space down there!


Part of me loves the big empty space for active play when we cannot go outdoors. The other part of me can't stand the complete lack of definition.

I see potential, but I am stuck not quite understanding how to break up the long space. If I were to name my goal for the basement, I would say something that is bright and cozy and good for kids now, but easily transformed into a teenage hangout when the toys go away. I would like to design for the future, not just for right now. If my future teens want to hang out with friends here where I can keep an eye on them, then I will be a happy mama with a lot less worry.


We have a fun style when it comes to kid spaces - see playroom, Cinderella bedroom, and Mickey-inspired nursery. So I'm thinking along the lines of fun chairs, a huge colorful rug to break up the brown tones, maybe some kind of room-separating shelves or functional bench. Plus comfy couches and a nice TV stand? Or TV on the wall and some funky ottomans? Pinball machine (I wish!)? Dart board? Pinterest has me excited for ideas, but execution and funding are another story.


Do you have any great ideas to share? Would you leave it alone as a playground space? I am always accepting suggestions. And hey, if you work for HGTV or have fabulous brunches with some Design Stars? Send 'em my way!  

Any ideas? I'm up for anything that doesn't involve too much complicated DIY - or too much cash. The basement was a perk we did not expect when buying a new home so I'm not in a rush. But it is bursting with the potential to be a lot of fun.

And yes... first world problems. I get it. I am very thankful.

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