I read a statistic that 32% of stand alone homes in the US have basements. Do you have a basement?? In Connecticut we had a basement in our 1950’s home, but we lived near the beach so it couldn’t ever be finished, just used it for storage. We have owned two previous homes in Utah and both of them had full basements. We actually didn’t spend a lot of time in either of the basements. The first one we finished right before we sold it, wish I had pictures of it, it was really cute. The second one had a small kitchen with a big family room, we really only used it when we had parties. My kids were young and didn’t even like to go to the playroom to play (too scared even tho it was light and bright!).
Hopefully the basement in our current remodel will be completely different and get used often!!! I do see it being used for parties and also our kids playing down there often and family nights. We are creating a game room in part of the basement, since we LOVE games and look forward to lots of friends and family challenging us too!
Today I wanted to share the two dark rock walls we updated with our mortar and lime wash treatment. We did the same treatment upstairs in our entry wall and fireplace. We didn’t want to just paint the rock, instead make it look like it was an old cement wall that had always been there.
Game Room- Curve Rock Wall-
I am a fan of rock, but the rock we had was really orange and not our particular style. Now it is a lot brighter. We basically mixed mortar with water and applied it with a sponge, then smoothed it down (read how we did the wall HERE). Then painted it with Bianco White Limewash.
We also made the windows bigger in the basement and replaced them with nice black grid windows (I will share more on the windows soon). We are planning on doing 4 round chairs around un coffee table in the curved space. An air hockey table will go by the window, with a frame tv on the wall. Over by the curve will go four swivel chairs around a round coffee table. On the opposite wall we ordered some standing arcade games (see below for what Kevin ordered). We stayed at a friends home who had the arcade games, and our kids raved about them!
Basement Game Room Plans-
- Air Hockey Table– we went back and forth on either a ping pong, pool table or air hockey. Decided that more people would enjoy the air hockey.
- Free standing Arcade Games (with risers) we got these– Outrun, Street Fighter, Buck Hunter, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Arcade Machine, and Ms Mac Man
- Carson Light Fixture– loved the game room vibe these give off, especially with the pop of copper.
- Horns Art– we already have a giant bullhorn art that will go down here. Feels very Utah to us!
- Score Board– trying to find something cool or I will turn a vintage frame into a chalkboard to have an on-going score board
- Dart Board– mostly want this because it is cute :), and it will be very fun for the older kids and adults.
- Swivel Chairs– doing four of these around a table for more game playing!
- Shaggy Checkered Rug– seemed like the perfect rug for a game room
Family Room Rock Fireplace-
We opened up this space by moving the stairs to the other room. That was a huge change to make this room more functional. We can now fit a sectional and plan on doing a TV over the gas fireplace. The mantle is quirky and off- centered now that we moved the stairs. But I actually like it. I brought over some plants to visualize how they will help balance the asymmetrical mantle. Wait to judge it until you see it all together! Adding shiplap to the ceiling down here too.
Basement Family Room Plans-
I haven’t ordered any of this yet. Been playing around with ideas. But I can’t get a mustard velvet sofa out of my mind! It will also flow really nicely off of our pool room with the colorful mustard, pink, gray and white tile!
- Hannah Cabinet– I want some type of storage for games and crafts
- Carson Light Fixture– we are doing a couple of these lights in the basement.
- Round Marble Table– some type of game/craft table will be needed in the basement. I actually have an oval marble table I ordered for our office that might be better here. We will see.
- Basketweave Leather Chair– I considered these for our dining room- LOVE them! Pricey, so still thinking.
- Road Trip Art– I want some type of art that is colorful and represents the pretty mountains.
- Mustard velvet sectional– typically not a fan of a chaise….but if we can fit two extra chairs than I might be ok with it!
- Green Rug with pops of mustard and pink– this green will be repeated throughout our home and I wanted something dark to contrast our light wood floors that will be everywhere.
- Auckland Fur Chair– gahhhhhh I LOVE these!!!
They started to sheetrock this past week and wood floor is going in first week in August. Hopefully be enjoying this space sooner than later!
Kristy says
Love this! Your knack for creating spaces amazes me. I’ve been trying to bring more clean products, plants and art into my home because of you. You inspire me!
[email protected] says
thank you so much!!!
Johanna says
Our basement didn’t get used much when our kids were little, but now my oldest two have their bedrooms down there and basically every teenager in the neighborhood congregates in our basement family room. I think you’ll love it!
Lynn W says
I love your new fireplace redo! Really cool and I like the off centered ness of it 👍.