Encompassing the varying uses for the extra space offered in lower levels is a design challenge we confront quite often. Balancing the needed space for entertaining, kid activities, storage, etc. requires a good understanding of how a family envisions living there. For this family, making room for a home gym was the main goal of their basement remodel.
ORIGINAL BASEMENT: This custom home in the Brighton Woods subdivision on the east side of Carmel was built about 11 years ago with a partially finished basement. As the homeowners’ young children grew older, they wanted to add a dedicated exercise room and a separate play area for the kids. They also wanted to modify the existing in-wall TV area to accommodate a new flat screen TV and A/V components.
MULTIPLE FUNCTIONALITIES: The goal of the new design for the unfinished space was to find the best way to allow the owners to exercise while they kept an eye on the children. The solution was to creatively divide up the 600-square-foot unfinished area by using half walls and columns. This design scheme provided designated spaces without completely closing off walls. The exercise room was divided into a cardio area and a weight room, separated by an arched case opening. In addition, the project included a new finished storage closet, a new A/V closet and a new unfinished storage closet.
FINISH DETAILS: The following details were included in the final remodel:
• BOOKCASES: Four new 27”w x 15”d x 36”h unfinished bookcases were installed with decorative wood countertops, which were primed and painted with two coats of semi-gloss latex paint to match existing trim.
• ARCHED CASINGS: Three new arched cased openings (approximately 3’-10” wide) were installed between the exercise room and playroom. In addition, one new arched cased opening (approximately 9’-0” wide) was installed between the exercise room and the weight room.
• FLUTED COLUMN WRAPS: Two fluted column wraps were installed within the wall separating the playroom from the exercise room. The new column details were made to match the existing basement column wraps as closely as possible.
• MIRRORS: Two new full-length wall mirrors were installed in sections. A 96”w x 72”h mirror was installed on the wall of the new weight room and a 154”w x 72” h mirror was installed in the exercise room.
The end result of this lower level remodel was a beautiful balance of all the needs of the family. The parents gained a home gym that inspired them to work-out, the kids got a safe place to play, and the whole family received the additional storage and updated A/V equipment they all desired. Considering a lower level remodel? Send us an email, or give us a call at 317-846-2600 to schedule one of our designers for a free, in-home consultation.
