Throughout these articles I will remind you of the importance of careful planning in connection with the different aspects of a renovation project. You need to realize that no reno should be started until a complete plan has been done.
Most people, especially those who have not had previous experience with renovation projects, are apt to think about a basement renovation in what we can call general terms. In other words, they formulate their so-called plans in mental pictures and think that when completed, it will look something like one they have seen.
Mental pictures cannot be depended upon, where exact and complete plans are necessary. There are too many chances for error. Coordination is impossible. There is no way of estimating costs. And, finally, the actual construction work cannot be accomplished without confusion, extra work, excess cost and probable disappointment.
Before any kind of planning can be done, you must definitely decide what the prime purpose of your basement renovation is. You will soon see, the purpose of remodeling determines the planning.
What caused you to think about basement renovation? Did your first thoughts about such a reno come from any of the following ideas?
1. Need for a children’s play room.
2. Need for a recreation room for the entire family.
3. Desire for a work out room.
4. Desire for an up to date laundry room.
5. Desire for a workshop.
6. Need for a more organized storage area.
7. Desire for a games room.
8. Need for additional bedrooms.
With these ideas in mind, let’s look at them briefly to see why it’s necessary to know the purpose of the renovation before actual planning is started.
CHILDREN’S PLAY ROOM
When children are involved, the size of a play room is an important factor. First, there must be ample space for riding toys and other moving toys. Second, there must be enough storage space for all kinds of toys to be stored. For best results, it should be at least 10 ft. wide and 15 ft. long. In addition, there should be space for closets and storage.
If this is your goal, you should measure the space in your basement and quickly determine if a room of sufficient size is possible while still leaving space for the furnace, laundry room and other necessary items.
RECREATION ROOM
For a recreation room, where you could have your television and stereo equipment and where you could entertain a few friends, you should have at least 18 or 20 ft. long and 10 or 12 ft. wide. A room of this general size can contain the amount of furniture you will need both to relax and to play some table games.
A WORKOUT ROOM
Most work out rooms will require room for equipment such as a treadmill or stationary bike or weights bench. These are not small items, so depending on what kind of equipment you have or are going to buy you will certainly want a room that the equipment will fit in and leave you room to breathe.
A GAMES ROOM
In this room you may want to have a pool table or ping pong table, air hockey game or many others. Again these all require space both for the table itself and also for those who will be playing the game around it. There are smaller tables such as a 5 ft. by 9 ft. or 4 ft. by 8 ft. table. In any case, it is necessary to study your basement to see if there is space that can be used in this way.
UP-TO-DATE LAUNDRY
If you want an up-to-date laundry, there are two items you must keep in mind: The space requirements of the appliances and the location of existing water, sewer and vent pipes. New appliances today are pretty standard at about 30” wide though you can get both larger and smaller apartment ones as well. In order to keep remodeling costs at a reasonable level, it is necessary to locate new laundry equipment where the washer can be connected to the existing plumbing system.
Any other ideas for a basement renovation can be studied the same way. First, decide exactly what the purpose of your renovation is and then check your basement to see if the space, location of plumbing pipes, furnace location, etc., are such that the reno can be accomplished. This constitutes the first step of planning. Once you have this step completed, and once you know your purpose can be accomplished, a more detailed plan can be started.