3 Key Tips for a Basement Makeover this Spring

by Amy · March 13, 2019

Now that spring is here and the temperature is starting to warm up, many people start thinking about ways in which they might jazz up their home’s interior and/or exterior, particularly if they’re keen to sell the property in the coming months.

If you’re in this situation, it’s important to look at all the places in and around your house that aren’t looking their best or that are simply being underutilized — specifically, the basement. By showcasing how this space can be taken advantage of effectively, you will help potential buyers see more value in the home and be more interested in putting in an (good) offer as a result.

Since tackling basement makeovers can often be rather daunting, particularly if you have shut off this area for a long time or just used it to chuck junk into and then quickly slammed the door behind you, it pays to strategize up front about how to do the restyling you need to. Read on for three key tips you can follow for your basement makeover this spring.

Plan out What You Need to Do

Plan out what you need to do in your basement so you don’t miss steps, are clear on what’s involved and can do things in the most effective order. Organization will be simpler, and you’ll save yourself some stress. Plus, planning also makes it more likely that you’ll save money.

To devise your plan of attack, start by considering how you want your made-over basement to look when it’s finished. How do you want people to feel when in the space, and what do you want to present, usability-wise, to potential buyers? Working backwards from here will allow you to see which elements must be planned for.

Declutter the Junk

If you’re like most people, your basement is crowded with all sorts of junk that you have been throwing into it over the years (which you likely didn’t want to think about or look at!). To get the space in order, you’ll have to go through everything and get rid of, repair, sell or donate items you no longer use, which are broken or out of date or which simply aren’t your taste any longer.

There are a few benefits to taking the time and investing the energy in doing this. For example, by decluttering, you’ll clear out your basement thoroughly and be able to see exactly what kind of condition it’s in. Plus, it will then be easier for tradespeople to do their work, and you’ll end up with a more streamlined, stylish area, that looks as large as possible. This will help come sale time.

Repair Issues ASAP

Since your basement hasn’t had much attention over the last few years, it will probably have a variety of issues you’ll need to attend to. Once you have cleared the space of your belongings and taken a good look around, you’ll be able to see any current and potential problems.

For example, one of the most common issues that crops up in basements is that of damp, mold and mildew. Basements often have leaks that go unnoticed for years or cracks in walls, less-than-ideal flooring, windows that don’t close properly and poor ventilation, which compounds moisture problems.

To change this, first get all storage units, desks, beds, bookshelves and the like away from walls, so you can see everything you need to. Then, get a plumber in to repair or replace pipes as necessary and other tradesmen to do things like fix windows, lay new flooring and install new plaster on the walls. Look for experts in each area to do the job so that you know it will be done right. For instance, check out these companies offering Denver drywall repair services, which you might need if there is water or mold damage.