Now I'm a Basement Guru!

A couple of months ago I had a chance to talk about basements. Boring? Nope – finished basements are an opportunity to give a home that extra pizzazz and personality that can help it sell. In fact, that was the point of "Reinventing the Basement," one of the featured articles in the current issue of Maryland Distinctive Properties published by The Daily Record.

Journalist Carrie Oleynik found me through - of course - Active Rain. She asked about what kinds of things I have seen in basements over the years. What haven't I seen?!  As she says in the article, there have been the usual in-law or au pair suites and personal retreats. But I've also seen hair salons, wine cellars, specially designed rooms for any kind of collection you can imagine, home-school rooms, and areas just for the convenience and care of pets. Home offices, media rooms, and home gyms are common, but how about an Olympic-sized ping pong table and competition area?

One of my favorites was this amazing basement that had a restaurant-sized C-shaped lighted glass block and granite bar. Greek columns visually divided the area that had room for shuffle board, a pool table, big screen TV, gaming table etc. Custom built-ins included wine storage, and the wood burning fireplace added warmth. Behind mirrored doors was a walk-in cedar closet with plenty of storage. Marble floors, a powder room, and separate entrance created the perfect party place.

Basements are one area where people can carve out a very personal space and mold it to their special interests. What interesting and unique basements have you seen?