20 DIY Finished Basement Ideas to Create a New Living Space in Your Home
Prepare to be totally inspired by these creative ideas.
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Finishing your basement is an excellent way to add value to your home while also making the most of the space it has to offer. A finished or partially finished basement can be a warm, inviting place for you and your family and friends to relax, unwind, and spend quality time together. In addition to a family space, a finished basement can also be home to a home office, mudroom, laundry room, game room, playroom, or guest room. You can even section off different areas to really maximize your space.
Finishing a basement can be expensive, but if you’re the handy type, you can cut costs by installing your own flooring and drywall, adding lighting, and building storage solutions. A complete DIY finished basement renovation may seem like a daunting project, but we’ve got plenty of helpful tutorials and ideas to help you tackle the task like a pro. Is your basement already finished but in desperate need of a makeover or repurposing? We’ve got you covered there too. You’d be surprised what a fresh coat of paint or a new area rug can do to transform your basement. Check out this finished basement roundup for DIY guides in every style from farmhouse to eclectic and more.
Rustic Farmhouse Basement Family Room
This basement remodel replaces dark wood paneling with bright white walls for a light, airy look. A soothing palette of blues and cool marble round out this classic living space.
Get the tutorial at Jenna Kate at Home.
Modern Woodsy Basement Den
Sometimes a fireplace works and sometimes it just...doesn’t. This remodel makes waste of a dated, nonfunctional fireplace and adds outdoorsy vibes with woodsy wallpaper and botanical prints.
Get the tutorial at Elements of Style.
Basement Family Game Room
Here’s some major inspiration for anyone who thinks they can’t do their own basement renovation. This blogger confesses she didn’t know the first thing about hanging drywall or installing flooring before remodeling her basement. Now you can learn from her journey!
Get the tutorial at Holland Avenue Home.
Glamorous Basement Powder Room
A lot of people want to brighten up their basements, but this underground bathroom proves that dark glamour can work in any space when done right. This tutorial contains everything you need to know for installing a bold wallpaper accent wall.
Get the tutorial at construction2style.
Basement Craft Room
The great thing about DIY is that it can be done on a tight budget—or even no budget at all. This blogger created a basement craft room using nothing but odds-and-ends furniture and décor from around the house.
Get the tutorial at Snazzy Little Things.
Modern Masculine Basement Office
This blogger replaced old metal poles with pretty white pillars and painted the ceiling joints a trendy blue-gray to create a modern masculine basement office. Family heirlooms and antique finds bring additional warmth and style to the space.
Get the tutorial at Unskinny Boppy.
DIY Basement Staircase Makeover
Leave no corner unturned! This blogger transformed her unsightly basement staircase by nailing tongue and groove wood planks over textured walls and adding a sliding barn door to create a polished, inviting look.
Get the tutorial at Rooms for Rent.
Modern Farmhouse Basement Bar
A basement bar is a fun addition to any home, especially one as elegant as this. Positioning your DIY watering hole behind a TV area allows for additional seating for viewing.
Get the tutorial at The Other Side of Neutral.
Nautical Glam Basement
A rope-wrapped support post and nautical prints give this basement a playful appeal. This renovation maximizes space by incorporating a bedroom and lounge area.
Get the tutorial at Audrey’s 74.
Boho Chic Basement Living Room
This blogger turned a foundation ledge into a beautiful focal point by installing a shiplap wall. Step out of your comfort zone by painting a bold black accent wall to offset a neutral-toned basement.
Get the tutorial at House of Hire.
Sophisticated Basement Man Cave
The basement can be an ideal space for a man cave. Find out how this blogger transformed what she once considered “the worst room in the house” into a masculine yet warm space for her husband—and the whole family.
Get the tutorial at The Makerista.
Earthy Chic Basement Family Room
Painting a fireplace and installing under-the-stairs storage solutions take this basement from ordinary to extraordinary. If you don’t have the budget for new floors, investing in a high-quality area rug can make all the difference for warming up your space.
Get the tutorial at Lauren Koster Creative.
Bright and Cheerful Basement Rec Room
If you’re looking to create a basement space where you can “hang out,” consider installing a hammock swing chair. A built-from-scratch storage system and plenty of DIY touches make this basement space unique and functional.
Get the tutorial at Provident Home Design.
Black and White Basement Mudroom
This chic basement mudroom offers a functional space for storing bulky coats and shoes without sacrificing style. Painting your floor white can transform a basement, while faux cowhide rugs and leather pillows add warmth and texture.
Get the tutorial at My Sweet Savannah.
Colorful Basement Mom Cave
Don’t be afraid to have fun with your basement redesign! Breathe new life into your basement by installing vinyl flooring and colorful patterned wallpaper for a “mom cave” that will rejuvenate and delight.
Get the tutorial at Casa Watkins Living.
Basement Bathroom Makeover on a Budget
Retiling can be both hugely expensive and a huge undertaking if you’re DIYing. Painting stencils onto your existing tiles can give your basement bathroom a whole new look for less.
Get the tutorial at Lemons, Lavender, and Laundry.
Dark Glamour Basement Media Room
Got an eyesore in your basement that you can’t get rid of? This blogger dyed curtain panels to perfectly blend in with her walls and cover dated bifold doors.
Get the tutorial at Room for Tuesday.
Tropical Basement Guest Room
Work with what you have by choosing a décor theme that compliments your existing finishes. This blogger embraced her tiled basement floor by creating a guest bedroom with a Mediterranean feel.
Get the tutorial at Coco Kelley.
Glamorous Whitewashed Basement
Love the all-white look? You can whitewash your brick walls using pickling stain to brighten up a dark basement.
Get the tutorial at Addison’s Wonderland.
Neutral-Toned Basement Office
A built-in, wall-to-wall desk makes great use of a long, awkward basement layout. Bright white and warm wood elements bring Scandinavian style to this airy basement office.
Get the tutorial at Lemon Thistle.
Tierney McAfee is a freelance writer and Country Living and The Pioneer Woman contributor who covers entertainment, holiday & entertaining, food & drinks, design ideas, DIY, and more.
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