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havihoo

Old gloomy basement ideas?

havihoo
hace 8 años
Hi - we are moving into a house with a finished, good size, but no frills basement from the mid 1960's. Linoleum tile (no asbestos), light paneled walls etc.
We want to turn it into a playroom or at least a play area, but are on an incredibly small budget. We don't want to put down wall to wall carpet because there have been flooding issues down there in the past.
Does anyone have some low budget ideas for warming up the space and making it better for kids?
We're looking for cheap flooring options (we have a bunch of remnants but they are all awkward sizes), and just ways to make it look less dingy and gloomy!

Comentarios (6)

  • Brandi Nash Hicks
    hace 8 años
    The first thing you can do is paint the ceiling, paint is cheap and painting the ceiling will brighten it up and make it look bigger and cleaner, choose a bright white, Bm decorators white is a great color for ceilings, use flat paint. Next go have large rugs bound to fit the room at a local carpet dealer or outlet in bright colors for your children to use...next look for easy movable storage for toys
  • Brandi Nash Hicks
    hace 8 años
    Also you could chalkboard paint a door or two for your kids to use creatively ...you can get it mixed it any color, paint will be the cheapest way to update....use it for anything you need to update on a budget
  • suezbell
    hace 8 años

    Ditto suggestion to paint the ceiling white -- and any exposed pipes, duct, etc., too. When you paint the walls, paint at least the upper half a light color or choose a light colored paneling.

    You should choose lights that actually produce a considerable amount of light for the room rather than something for looks that is less practical.

    You could strip off the linoleum tile and scrub the walls and floors. Add waterproofing where needed -- walls and/or floor. Then you could either add the vinyl plank flooring suggested by Montana Heritage Home Builders Inc or just paint the floor with a gray concrete porch paint until your budget enables you to replace it with flooring you truly like.

    What you might add for kids likely depends upon their age. Consider adding bright colored bean bag chairs (preferably with a zippered cloth cover).

    Kids of any age (and adults) like a ping pong table so having a sturdy table to which you can add a piece of fabric (as table protector) and a sheet of ping pong table top painted plywood is a relatively inexpensive game room idea.

    Don't forget to check out your nearest Habitat for Humanity ReStore Store for bargains on used furniture and furnishings as well as building supplies -- frequently including but not limited to paint and flooring. Their inventory changes daily with each donation and purchase so make more than one trip. A lot of really good, solid wood analog sized tv cabinets are being donated that, with a plywood back and new shelves added, can make a good storage unit for board games and media related items (CD, DVD, game related items, etc.) for your family game room.



  • havihoo
    Autor original
    hace 8 años
    Thank you very much; these are all great suggestions! I will look into the vinyl plank flooring!
  • PRO
    Montana Heritage Home Builders Inc
    hace 8 años

    Your very welcome!

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