Under Your basement is valuable real estate, and it's an ideal place for the low-cost extra bedroom, family room or workout space you've always wanted.
Most basements are little more than a place to cultivate cobwebs and store cans of paint.
But fixing up a full-height basement can dramatically increase the usable living space in your house at a far lower cost than adding on. And as we show here, basements can be turned into any one of several living areas. Changing a concrete dungeon into a inviting living area is a challenge, and not every basement is a good candidate for finishing. Key considerations for conversion include controlling moisture, adding ventilation and light, and finding a way around hanging drain lines, ductwork and wiring. Although you can do some of the work yourself, most of it is best left to an experienced pro.