3 basement renovations that will add value to your home
Basement renovations can sometimes be overlooked because it’s easier to justify spending money on something more visible like a kitchen or bathroom — but if done properly, a basement reno can add undeniable value to your home. Intrigued? See below the best basement renovations that will bring enjoyment to the family, but will also grab attention of buyers down the road.
Wine Cellar
Naturally, basements are cooler in temperature, have higher humidity levels and lack natural light, all of which contribute to the perfect cellar conditions. Wine cellars are a luxury space that many up-scale buyers seek — there is now a designated filter for cellars on multiple real estate websites, a true testament to their appeal! To capitalize on the resale value, we have gathered some of our top tips on how to build an in-home wine cellar that no oenophile will be able to deny!
HUMIDITY – This plays a major factor in the outcome of your wine. Ideally, you want humidity levels at 70% — however, anywhere between 50-70% is okay. Anything lower than 50%, the corks are at risk of drying out and anything higher than 75%, mold will start to occur on the labels.
LIGHT – Stay away from all light that gives off heat i.e sunlight & artificial light. Dimmable LED lighting will still provide you the light needed, without costing you hundreds (possibly thousands) in wasted wine.
TEMPERATURE – Arguably the most crucial aspect of any cellar and thankfully, it’s one of the easiest to control. Recommended temperature ranges from 55°F-57°F. At all costs, avoid any consistent fluctuations of temperature — this will cause your wine to age prematurely.
VIBRATION – Any minor vibrations will disturb the sediment causing it to mix with the wine itself, this affects the flavor of wine and the aging process.
Click here to see how we can help you with your custom wine cellar design!
Theater room
A basement is the perfect place for a theater room. With minimal light and noise, you will get the ultimate cinematic experience from the comfort of your home. In-home theaters have a positive influence on buyer interest and if done correctly, can add high-value to your home. To ensure you get the most out of your personal experience and resale value, here’s our cinematic recommendations and your go-to guide on how to build an in-home theater!
CARPET – Carpet is a great sound-dampening tool that will help prevent the sound from traveling to other areas of the house and it will work cohesively with the sound system to prevent echoing and sound travel. It also doubles as a space to lay with added pillows or bean bags.
LIGHTING – An integral aspect of a good movie experience is the lighting. Too much lighting and it takes away from the movie, not enough and it doesn’t add any ambiance. Think about the lighting in a movie theater, it’s there but you don’t realize it’s there — and that’s the point! Think LED strips and warm dimmable lights (stay away from anything fluorescent!)
SCREEN – The size of your basement will heavily influence whether you choose a projector screen or TV. TVs tend to provide a better quality picture, but projector screens can be cheaper and can provide a much bigger screen. Do your research and ensure you are choosing the right option for your space.
SOUND – One of the most important aspects of the movie-watching experience is the sound — it immerses you into the story. Invest in a good surround sound system and you will not regret it!
Your dream in-house theater awaits! Contact our renovation experts to get started
Secondary Suite
Last, but certainly not least on our list is the addition of a secondary suite. Not only will this significantly increase the resale value of your home, but it doubles as passive income while you reside there. Here are some requirements from the government for building a legal suite in BC:
- The total floor space should not exceed 90 square metres (968 square feet)
- The suite must only use less than 40% of the entire habitable floor space in the home
- There is only to be one other residential occupancy in the entirety of the home
- The home must only contain one other principal dwelling unit
- It is required that a secondary suite must have one additional parking space available
Building a basement suite in BC doesn’t have to be stressful — you just need the right team on your side to assist you along the way. Check out our latest secondary suite renovations here!
How will you choose to renovate your basement?
There you have it — our top three basement renovations that will add the most value to your home, and luckily for you, we are experts in home renovations and can guide you through the process. Let us help you plan the perfect reno — whatever that may be!