What if your basement could become a vibrant, usable living space that adds value and style to your home? That’s exactly what these clients wondered when they set out to remodel their basement. With intentionality in the design and a few creative ideas, we worked with these homeowners to remodel a dark, forgotten part of their Portland home into a lively, multi-functional basement space.
At Lamont Bros Design & Construction, we’ve helped dozens of homeowners reimagine their basements. We know that finding inspiration for home improvement projects isn’t always easy. That’s why we’re exploring 5 basement remodel design ideas in this article.
Through this case study, you can read about how these homeowners made the most of their basement, from creating a stylish snack and coffee bar area to incorporating pet-friendly features. You might even like some of these design ideas enough to implement them into your own basement remodel.
Here are the five key design ideas we’ll cover:
- Snack/Coffee Bar Area
- Home Theater
- Original Architectural Elements Feature
- Pet-Friendly Features
- Hobby/Shop Room
1. Snack/Coffee Bar Area: Creating a Casual Entertainment Space
One of the most notable features we implemented was a stylish snack and coffee bar area. This space is perfect for casual gatherings, laying out snack foods for a Super Bowl party, or simply enjoying a quiet morning coffee.
We installed a mixture of custom cabinetry and open shelving. Integrated under-cabinet lighting provides a cozy ambiance and also ensures everything is easily accessible.
2. Home Theater: Designing a Dedicated Media Space
One of the standout features of this remodel is the dedicated home theater area. We wanted to create a space where the homeowners could enjoy a true movie theater experience from the comfort of their own home.
To achieve this cinema feel, we included dimmable lights and theater-style sconces that cast just the right amount of glow. These features helped to enhance the atmosphere without causing glare on the screen. The media area is equipped with open shelving for storing consoles, games, and other entertainment essentials, making it easy to keep everything organized and within reach.
The result is a space that not only provides comfort but is also practical. Each of the carefully chosen design elements enhance both the viewing experience and the room’s overall functionality.
3. Original Architectural Elements Feature: Preserving and Showcasing the Home’s Unique Character
For homeowners who love blending old with new, incorporating existing architectural features is an excellent way to achieve that balance.
In this basement remodel, one of the most distinctive design ideas brought by the clients was to retain the home’s original brick wall. This decision added character and a sense of history to the space, creating a unique focal point that stands out amidst the more modern updates.
The exposed brick serves as a rustic accent wall, that contrasts beautifully with the contemporary finishes elsewhere in the basement. We carefully preserved this original element to maintain a connection to the home’s past, framing it within the new wall structure and adding accent lighting to make it pop.
Whether your home has brick chimneys, natural stone foundation walls, or other unique architectural features, you can also create a basement space that features these elements of your home’s history. Preserving elements like brick or woodwork can add warmth and character to your home, making it feel unique and personal.
4. Pet-Friendly Features: Integrating Pet Needs into the Basement Design
For pet owners, a basement remodel presents the perfect opportunity to create spaces that meet the needs of both humans and their pets. In this project, we incorporated several pet-friendly features to make the basement more accommodating for the homeowners’ cats.
One such element is a custom-designed cat door, playfully shaped with cat ears, which leads to a hidden litter box. Since nobody likes the smell of litter boxes, we added custom ventilation to this dedicated space to help control odors. By doing so, we ensured that the surrounding area for humans remained fresh, clean, and aromatically pleasing.
By thinking creatively about how to accommodate pets, we made a dedicated area for the cats while also making life easier for the homeowners. Pet-friendly designs can be both practical and beautiful, ensuring that all family members—furry or otherwise—feel comfortable and welcome in the space.
5. Hobby/Craft Room: Creative Space for Hobbies and Projects
Another unique aspect of this basement remodel was the addition of a dedicated hobby room. The homeowners wanted a space where they could work on various projects and store their tools and supplies.
We designed this area with ample wall-mounted storage, cabinets, and work surfaces to accommodate a wide range of hobbies and crafts.
While the owners of this home were specifically interested in a room for 3D printing and making miniature figurines, the possibilities for hobby spaces is virtually unlimited. Whether you need a sewing room, gaming setup, or a woodworking shop, a hobby or shop room can be a fantastic addition to any basement remodel. It offers a versatile space that can be adapted to suit any interest. It’s all about creating an environment that inspires creativity and makes it easy to stay organized.
Looking For More Basement Design Inspiration?
Did you find this article helpful as you explore design ideas for a basement remodel? If so, continue your research by visiting our Basement Remodel Portfolio page. There, you can view past basement remodel projects by our team at Lamont Bros. Browse through the photos and find inspiration for your upcoming remodel by seeing how other Portland homeowners have chosen to renovate their basements.
Want to speak directly with a design professional about your ideas for your basement remodel? If so, click the button below to schedule a free design consultation with a member of our team. We’ll help you navigate the entire process of remodeling your home, from the initial design concepts to the final nail.