When having kids you always think of ways to keep them busy and entertained. During the summer that is an easy task, but during long and cold winters it is not. The solution is right under your feet – the basement. Turning the basement into a playroom could be a handy project which can even increase the value of your home.
Inspect and Fix
Before you start, you need to have an inspection and fix whatever needs to be fixed. Firstly, test for moisture by taping plastic sheeting on the floors and walls. After a few weeks, if the condensation forms underneath the sheets you need to seal your foundation. If there are droplets formed on the top then you need to dehumidify your basement. Another thing to check is floor joists. Check them for sagging by climbing the ladder to be in the eye level with the underside and see if there are any out of line. Lastly, have a professional inspect the fuel-burning equipment and the ventilation system to make sure that you will not have any gases leaking.
Useful Furniture
All the furniture you set up in a child’s playroom has to be durable. The fabrics have to be able to bear anything. Also, be sure that there are going to be lots of stains and spills, and that is why you should probably go for thicker, dark-coloured fabrics. All the pieces of furniture should be functional and they do not have to be too childlike. The playroom does not necessarily have to look like a kindergarten classroom, especially if the basement space is shared with adults. The furniture in the playroom should look like an extension of an adult space and everything should have its purpose.
Carpeting and Walls
Before you remodel floors and walls, you should remove old paint and throw out old rugs, because they are usually dirtier than they look. Also, dispose of old carpets and other rubbish that piled up over the years. For this purpose, consulting removal professionals such as Sutherland Shire cleaners can help you go a long way. They can help you do the right thing for the environment. After cleaning up, think of a new colour for the playroom and balance the space on the walls. Hang some family photos or children’s favourite posters. Another great idea is putting up colourful wallpapers if you do not feel like repainting everything. As far as floors are concerned, they should be firm enough to endure all the running but gentle enough to break the fall. The best solution here is covering the floors with square carpet tiles which are easily placed and easy to clean.
Plenty of Storage
You are going to need a lot of space for the toys and games. Consider colourful laundry and wicker baskets as storage units. These are always easy to move around, and teach your kids to cleaning up after. On the other hand, if you want something trendy, you can always consider shelves, benches and hidden storages which can save you some space.
After you are done with this little project, the upstairs is going to look more spacious and cleaner. Also, your children will have their own room for playing, and with the useful basement every home’s value is bigger.