Inspiration for Creating the Basement of Your Dreams

Last week we talked a little bit about the logistics of a basement remodel, so now it’s time to have some fun. A basement is a big, open space that can be transformed into a quiet sanctuary or a spectacular play place for everyone to enjoy. All you need is a little imagination to create an exciting space for everyone in the family to look forward to coming home to. Here are some of my favorite ideas:

Games Galore

The Gamers

Traditional rec rooms conjure up images of big screen TV’s for movie nights and some serious video game competition. These are fantastic ways to make the most of a winter day, but I also like the idea of keeping active with Wii Sports or enjoying some downtime without a screen. The ideal game room should have a mix of digital entertainment and old school board games, checkers, or chess that can be enjoyed by both kids and grandparents. Of course, a foosball or pool table makes for great family fun all year round.

Craft Corner

The Artists

Designing a space for creative kids is a great way to allow them to explore art without making a huge mess of the house. It’s also a versatile idea that can be updated and upgraded as the young ones grow. A simple table with coloring supplies can easily be replaced with easels for the budding Picasso or even a pottery wheel for the ceramicist in training. Best of all is that art spaces don’t need a lot of fancy renovations and can be kept rawer for easy cleanup with no stress.

Party Time

The Entertainers

This one is for the adults. If your house is the go-to spot for a fun Friday night, a custom bar and entertaining area is a great way to keep the party going without spending the weekend cleaning the whole house. I’d suggest installing a kitchenette with a refrigerator, sink, and mini dishwasher to keeping running up and down the stairs to a minimum. A small wine storage unit adds a sophisticated touch and be sure to design plenty of storage to keep bottles and glassware off your countertops.

Work It Out

The Fit Fam

A home gym is a great way to stay in shape all year round, but exercise equipment is bulky, unsightly, and not exactly a home design dream. Luckily, the basement is the perfect place to create a fun fitness retreat that can be enjoyed by the whole family. My own home gym occupies a good part of our basement and I can go downstairs to get my morning workout in without disrupting everyone else in the house. Plus, no one gets upset if I forget to rack the weights.

A Quiet Retreat

The Zen Masters

While most rec rooms are used for fun and festivities, many people like the idea of using the extra space as a retreat to get away from the world. With yoga and meditation rooms gaining in popularity, designing a zen space for quiet contemplation can offer huge mind and body benefits. Best of all, it can be easy to transform a dull nook into an inspiring oasis. Giant floor pillows and warm Moroccan lanterns add ambiance while candles and curtains create a warm intimacy that can help the day melt away. Up your relaxation game with an infrared sauna and you’ll be far away from the real world in no time.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only. 

A Rec Room Remodel Makes for the Perfect Pre-Winter Project

As the weather turns colder, now is a great time to think about giving the kids some play space to help them explore their imaginations without turning your house upside down. Plus, who doesn’t want a designated zone to kick back and enjoy Sunday football or a place to get the whole family together for a winter movie marathon? So this week, let’s talk about how to turn that unused basement into a recreation area that can keep the family occupied while keeping the rest of your home intact.

One of the greatest outcomes of a basement remodel is that it gives you the opportunity to go through all your old belongings and get rid of anything that’s past its use by date. As we get closer to winter, our shelters will be in need of extra warm clothes and furniture banks like Bristol’s For Goodness Sake can use additional inventory to make a family feel at home this holiday season. Decluttering is a great start for any remodeling project and the additional room and space will make the project much easier to tackle.

Once your space is clear, you can start to develop your floor plan. You want to think about what it will be used for today, but you’ll also want to consider future plans. As the kids grow, will it be easy to transform that arts and crafts nook into a movie room? If it’s a large space, are there ways that you can divide it to create different areas of enjoyment for everyone in the family? Be practical and be sure to take measurements. There’s no use buying a regulation pool table or having a custom bar made if you can’t fit it through the door!

Once you have an idea of your layout, my next step would be to evaluate the moisture situation. Because basements are underground and most have cement walls, they are generally damp, dark places that can attract mold. If you get water in your basement after a big rain storm, you’ll want to have that taken care of before any remodeling work starts. You don’t want to be dealing with flooding after a new carpet has just been installed and you definitely don’t want your kids spending their snow days in a place that’s festering with mildew.

Another thing to think about is your mechanical systems. It’s expensive to rewire and move around furnaces and hot water systems, so try to design around them. If it’s not possible, be prepared to factor the plumbing and wiring work into your overall budget.

If you’re starting from scratch and need to build walls and ceilings, it’s important to note that the materials you use may be different than the ones on the floors above. Assuming the basement is dry, you’ll want to make sure to insulate it before installing any drywall. You’ll also want to inspect any pipes for leaks or condensation before covering them up. Sealing gaps, insulating pipes, and waterproofing any potential problem areas before you start your framing will make your life a whole lot easier than having to deal with an issue once your walls are up.

That’s all for this week, but check back in next Friday when we’ll talk about insider tips and pitfalls to avoid when creating the rec room of your dreams.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.

Don’t Ignore Those Rain Causing Roof Leaks

Earlier in the week, my phone was ringing off the hook with people calling for me to fix their leaky roofs. We’ve had a dry summer and autumn thus far but sure enough, as soon as the skies opened up, the rain found its way right into people’s homes, causing dark, damp spots on their ceilings and down their walls. With more rain in the forecast for this coming week, I wanted to address this common problem for homeowners and give you some tips to follow before the real wet and wild winter weather arrives.

If you find a leak, have it checked right away. Leaks show themselves in the walls and ceilings but it’s not always easy to find the source of the problem. Most leaks that are caused by a roof problem generally only surface during bad weather and won’t cause issues when the sun is out, unlike pipe leaks which appear anytime.

To know for sure, grab a flashlight and head up into the attic. You can remove the insulation around the spot where the leak is staining the ceiling. Then look up at the pitch and see if you can see any holes or light shining through. Popular roof leak sources include valley flashing, gaskets around vents, or cracks and crevices around your chimney or utility entrances, but it’s tough to know without jumping up on the roof for an inspection which I’d leave to a professional.

If you call a contractor, he or she will want to thoroughly inspect the roof and the ceiling to find the cause of the problem. Often times they will find corrosion or lifted shingles but in these conditions where we had a lot of leaves fall in a very short period of time, the problem could simply be coming from rainwater that can’t drain due to clogged gutters. Once the water path into the house is detected, a repair can be relatively simple, inexpensive, and might even be able to be fixed on the spot.

While many repairs are minor, it’s very important not to ignore the issue. Water traveling from the roof to the inside of your home has a lot to get through to finally appear in your ceiling, including layers of shingles, wood, and insulation. If the water sits stagnant, it becomes a breeding ground for mold growth which can deteriorate the materials that help your house stay strong. Mold can also be dangerous for your family to breathe in every day, and having it circulating through your home as you begin using your heating system can cause both short and long-term health issues, especially for young children and people with asthma.

Simply put, a roof leak isn’t something to mess with and even if it is a major issue, getting someone to give you options for dealing with it will help you plan for the work that may be inevitable. With more rain forecast this coming week and winter on the way, it’s a problem that’s better for you to deal with now before it has the opportunity to get worse.

Bob O’Donnell is the owner of O’Donnell Bros. Inc., a Bristol-based home improvement company established in 1975. Email your questions to info@odonnellbros.com with the subject line “Ask the Pro.” All questions may be considered for publication. To contact Bob for your remodeling needs, call O’Donnell Bros. Inc. at (860) 589-5155 or visit http://www.odonnellbros.com. Advice is for guidance only.