You might think that turning a basement into a functional office space would cost big bucks, but that doesn’t have to be the case. With our homeowners planning to use their basement as an interim office before tackling a full office and bedroom renovation, project coordinator Camille Dettmore knew that she had to keep the office affordable and not make any extra work down the road.
What to Know Before Creating a Basement Office
Be Mindful of Where You’re Spending
During a project like this, it’s important not to spend on materials, labor, or finishes that you’ll have to change or rip out later. An interim office should meet the minimum requirements to make it comfortable, functional, and professional.
Paint Makes a Huge Difference
Painting the basement can make a huge difference without blowing the budget. Painting the ceiling a dark, matte color like black or dark gray will help hide imperfections, blend the mechanicals in with the surroundings, and create a clean look. Painting the walls with a waterproof paint will help control the moisture levels and also give the basement a fresher, brighter look.
Affordable, Waterproof Flooring
Many homeowners choose to go with floating floors for a project like this, but they’ll need to be ripped out for framing down the road. Instead, consider a waterproof, resilient flooring like epoxy. Epoxy is affordable, easy to install, and it can be framed over. Just be sure to choose a low VOC product to prevent harsh odors.
Balance Function, Future, and Budget
Just because you’re not ready to tackle a full-fledged project now doesn’t mean something like an interim basement office is out of the question. If you balance the space’s functionality with your future plans and smart budgeting, a basement can be the perfect place for a work-from-home office space.