Basement Blog

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8 Ideas for Remodeling Your Basement

8 Ideas for Your Basement Remodel

The basement was once the area of the home that was neglected and used to store old items while collecting dust. But after being stuck at home for so long during this past year, homeowners are taking stock of their unused and underappreciated space more than ever. From a dedicated home office space to a playroom for the kids to the ultimate sports and entertainment lounge, you can get creative with your basement and transform it into something you’ll love, appreciate and actually use. Here are our top ideas for your basement remodel An Extra Bedroom Whether you have a teen who needs their own space or if you have in-laws who like to come and stay with you, the basement could provide extra space for another bedroom. Being tucked away in the basement offers more privacy and comfort. Consider adding built-in shelving if you’re limited on the room you can play with and also opt for carpet to create some additional warmth in the basement. A Home Gym If you love to workout and have been missing those trips to the gym, create a home gym right in your basement. With lots of room to spare, you can fit all of the essential pieces of equipment that you desire. To make it more authentic, add full-length mirrors to the wall and make sure to choose a type of flooring that will hold up well against the machines and weights.   A Wet Bar Upgrade your basement with a wet bar so you can be the hub of entertainment when the time comes! Unlike a standard bar, a wet bar includes a sink. If you don’t have the means to include this due to plumbing complications, keep it simple without the sink. If you prefer to maintain an open concept, have the bar installed right up against the wall. This way, you can fit in a table or two if you’d like to have more seating options. Include a beer tap and fridge to make it official!  A Playroom for the Kids You don’t have to reserve the basement for the adults. Make it the designated kiddie zone instead. A playroom in the basement will give your kids space to have fun and run around without having to worry as much about causing too much commotion upstairs. It’ll also give you more peace and quiet when you’re trying to get work done upstairs.  Sports Games and Entertainment  Create your ultimate sports and entertainment area. Add comfy chairs, a large TV screen, and surround sound so you can watch your favourite team on the big screen in your own home. If your basement has the room, consider adding a pool table, foosball table or a classic pinball machine so you can have the best of both worlds with a sports and games room.   Wine Collection Are you a wine connoisseur? Why not show off your collection or expand it with a section carved out in your basement just for your wine. With customized shelving, you can decorate a portion of your wall or all of them. This will give your basement that enchanting wine cellar look and feel so you can enjoy sipping on your favourite bottle whenever you please. Home Office With more people working from home these days, the basement is becoming the staple home office hub. With a few additions like carpeting, a fresh coat of paint and a modern office set up, it can be the perfect spot at home to focus and get down to business without too many distractions. Hobby & Crafts Room Getting creative often requires some personal space so you can get into the creative zone and hone in on your craft. Whether it’s painting, photography, or some other form of hobby, use your basement as your studio so you can focus and get those creative juices flowing in peace. When you’re ready to transform your basement into something practical and beautiful, contact our team at the Renosgroup. We’ve been helping homeowners throughout Ottawa remodel and renovate their homes for years. No matter what you are looking for, we can offer our expert advice and recommendations. We will help you refine your goals and vision for the project and map out the scope while working within your budget. With our experience and dedication to quality work, you can rest assured that any project we take on will be done professionally and properly from start to finish. Reach out to us today, or give us a call at (613) 727-9427 to learn more about our services, or to discuss your ideas.  

Reasons Homeowners Remodel Their Basement

8 Reasons Homeowners Choose to Remodel Their Basement

In the past, the basement was commonly ignored and neglected, often used to store away old boxes, collections, and other items that rarely saw the light of day. But today, homeowners are eager to maximize every inch they can get in their home. The basement is a versatile space that can be transformed into almost anything you need – a home office, guest suite for relatives or playroom for the kids. To see why a finished basement is a worthy investment, here are some of the most common reasons homeowners choose to remodel their basement. Create More Room to Enjoy Do you feel like you could use a little extra space in your home? One of the main reasons why many homeowners decide to remodel their basement is to maximize their space. A finished basement lets you take full advantage of your square footage. Since the basement is off of the main floor, it’s an excellent area of the home that can be customized to suit a variety of different purposes, such as a home office, workout room, den for the kids, or even an entertainment room complete with a bar. With so much open and unused room to play with, it’s an area of the home where you can truly make work for your needs and budget. It’s a Good Return on Investment A finished basement is a worthwhile investment because it increases the value of a property. Buyers today want a turn key home where they can move in with minimal effort that doesn’t require a substantial amount of reno work, beyond a few basic cosmetic improvements. And the demand for a finished basement is almost right up there with a re-finished kitchen. Renovating the basement will provide you and your family with more livable space to use, while also boosting the value of your home if you ever plan on putting it up on the market in the future. In many cases, the ROI is more than 100%. So it’s a win-win. Make Extra Income with a Rental Unit When your basement is in a livable condition and is up to code, you could also rent it out and make additional income. With a tenant living in the basement, you could have a consistent influx of money every month, which can help you pay down your mortgage faster, save towards retirement, or spend on some luxuries. Enhance Your Storage Capacity An unfinished basement might be ideal for storing away items you never really need or use once a year, but it’s not a great way to keep your belongings organized or safe from mildew and moisture. A cluttered basement is also a potential haven for mold and pests. With a basement remodel, you can dramatically improve your storage capacity with shelving units that will keep everything off the ground and safely stored without the risk of mildew or moisture ruining anything. It’ll also make it much easier to find anything you need without tripping over other boxes. Improve Your Comfort at Home The long winter months can feel tedious when you’re cooped up indoors with the kids for such a long period of time. Especially with work-from-home and lockdowns, this sentiment has never been more true. But with a finished basement, you always have your own space to retreat to or let the kids play in to give you some peace and quiet while you work. Save on Energy Costs Unfinished basements are more often than not poorly insulated and have older windows that can contribute to air leaks. This can make your HVAC system work harder to maintain a consistent and comfortable temperature throughout your home. Getting the basement redone with adequate insulation will not only help to reduce energy costs, but it can also prevent moisture leaks from occurring and damaging the foundation or your furniture and belongings. An Extra Guest Suite Having an extra guest suite in the basement is ideal when friends or relatives decide to visit. You can give them plenty of personal space with additional privacy away from your bedroom, which makes it more comfortable for everyone. Taking Care of an Aging Parent That extra space can also come in handy if an aging parent requires round the clock care and needs to move in with you. With a bright, comfortable and safe space for them to live, you can look after your parent while still having enough room to breathe and avoid stepping on each other’s toes. Thinking about remodeling the basement to create more livable space at home? Contact our team at RenosGroup.ca in Ottawa. Our reno experts can discuss your needs and budget and will help transform your basement into something that you will use and love. Give us a call today! (613) 727-9427

Basement Renovation Ottawa – Tweed Avenue

Excellent Basement Renovations in Kanata

Is the basement in your Kanata home a tad underwhelming? Are you currently using it to store boxes and not much else? Then it would be best if you renovated with us at RenosGroup. We offer the highest quality basement renovations Kanata has to offer. Our team can help you develop a purpose for your basement so that it’s no longer wasted space. It’s a sad fact that the basement is the most underutilized room in the home. All too often, homeowners end up using their basements for storage or laundry only. That’s a shame because your basement has a boatload of potential. With our capabilities at RenosGroup, the only limit is your imagination. We’ll help you transform your dull basement into something extraordinary. So if you want to find a unique use for your basement in Kanata, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn what we can do for your basement at RenosGroup. Reasons to Renovate Your Basement in Kanata Kanata is a fast-paced, highly technological suburb of Ottawa. It’s the largest suburb and has a diverse population. There are also many styles of homes in the area. Kanata Lakes boasts high-end housing that has all the latest technological bells and whistles. Older neighborhoods have more affordable housing, but still, they retain lots of charm. These homes may cost less, but they’re still beautiful and well-built. If you call Kanata home, then the chances are that you love where you live. It’s safe, family-friendly, and has excellent schools. Yet, there are still lots of reasons why you may want to renovate your home. That way, you can address all your home’s issues and turn it into the house of your dreams. We’d love to help you do just that at RenosGroup. In particular, there are many reasons why you should renovate your basement. That’s especially true if your basement currently has no purpose. Your basement is a large part of your home. It would be a total waste not to use it for something. That’s where renovations come into the picture. Here are a few of the most common reasons to renovate your basement. Unused Space This is by far the biggest reason to renovate your basement. If you’re like most homeowners, then your basement is idle space without a purpose. You may store boxes and various items there or do your laundry. Well, there’s no reason to waste any square footage that you have available. So if your basement is vacant, renovating can turn it into something special. For example, why not turn your basement into a guest room? That way, you have a place to accommodate friends and family whenever they stay. Instead of being an empty room with some boxes in it, we can transform it into a hotel-esque guest room. You could also gift yourself with a gaming room/man cave. Since you aren’t using your basement, it’s the perfect location for all your fancy toys. You can set up a TV with video game systems, a pool table, and even a fully functional bar. Maybe now you can see why not using your basement is such a waste. There are tons of fun uses you can create for your basement. So if you wish your home had some extra space for creativity, don’t rule out your basement! You can use it to create a room that you’ve always wanted. Add Value to Your Home Are you planning on selling your home in Kanata? Maybe you want to upgrade to a high-end home in Kanata Lakes. If so, then finishing your basement will add to your resell value. An unfinished basement won’t do you any favors when trying to sell your house. Which home would you rather buy? Option one is a home with a basement with cracks in the floor, laundry everywhere, and unfinished walls. Option two has a basement that doubles as a second living room. There’s a full bar, sofa, TV, and wine racks. Obviously, option two is a far more desirable basement. As a result, that home will sell for more money than option one. So if you’re planning on selling your home, then finishing your basement is a must. It may cost you to fix it up, but you’ll end up selling your home for a lot more money. Save Money on Utility Bills Another reason to undergo basement renovations in Kanata is to save money. That may seem counterintuitive, as renovating costs money. Yet, there’s a good reason why finishing your basement will save you money in the long run. It all has to do with how hard your HVAC units have to work to heat/cool your basement. If your basement is unfinished, then the chances are that it isn’t sealed. Not only that, but unfinished/open walls will let in heat and cold like nobody’s business. If your Kanata home has an unfinished basement, then it’s killing your utility bill. Picture this, it’s freezing outside, and your basement is letting cold air inside. As such, your heater has to work twice as hard to maintain the temperature in your basement. If you renovate and finish your basement, that won’t happen. Your basement will stay completely sealed, not letting in any heat or cold air. Your heater won’t have to overwork itself to maintain the temperature in your basement. Therefore, you won’t have to spend as much on energy each month. These savings can be very significant and will eventually pay for the cost of the renovations. More Family Space Lastly, a big reason homeowners renovate their basements is because there’s a baby on the way. They’ve already used up all the bedrooms upstairs, so it’s time to turn the basement into a nursery. That, or transfer one of the older children into the basement. Either way, you’ll need to renovate to accommodate your growing family. Renovations can turn a four-bedroom home into a five-bedroom house. It’s crucial to remember that your basement can serve as an

10 Ways to Make Your Basement Fun and Useful

10 Ways to Make Your Basement Fun and Useful

Renovating your basement can add more living and storage space to your home, but it can also be used as a more creative space. Whether it be for your kids or for you, here are 10 ways to make your basement fun and useful for the whole family. Kid’s Playroom When you can’t move around freely without tripping over toys, consider creating a playroom that both you and your kids will love. Renovating the basement into an area where the kids can play will help you reclaim more space for yourself, keep your breakables safer, and give the kids their own dedicated area to let loose and have fun. Crafts Area Has your kitchen been taken over by your kid’s art projects? Or are you sick of scraping glue off the table? Building an arts and crafts area in your basement can solve all of these messy, crafting woes. With a dedicated space in the basement, you set up the ideal space where the kids can be creative without ruining your dining table or creating a mess in the kitchen. Music Studio Creating a mini music studio area where you can escape to play and create can be fun for the entire family. You can even take it up a notch and build out a full-blown recording studio in your basement if your budget permits. All you need is to build a separate room to store all the equipment in, along with an adequate number of power sources, an air-intake system, and high-quality soundproofing, so the neighbours don’t complain. Wine Cellar Are you a wine connoisseur? If so, why not show off and maintain your collection with  your own custom-built cellar? The dark, cool environment in the basement is perfect for a project such as this. And it doesn’t require much to get started. When you have a passionate hobby that you really enjoy – like tasting or collecting wine – it’s worth the effort to indulge and create a space where you can include it more in your life. Yoga Studio If you’re into yoga, you know how important it is to get some peace and quiet during your practice. By renovating your basement into a yoga studio, you can create your own quiet little sanctuary. Photography Studio Renting out studio space to create and develop your photographs can be incredibly expensive. If you have some spare space in your basement, you can create your own darkroom in the comfort of your home. Fitness Studio Is your treadmill collecting dust or taking up space? Or are you tired of paying for expensive gym memberships you never use? Consider turning your basement into a fitness studio so you can get all the exercise you need in the privacy of your own home. Art Studio If you’re a painter or artist, you’ll need room to perfect your craft and get messy. A small bedroom space often won’t cut it, and when you’re working with paints and different mediums, you’ll also need proper air ventilation. Turning an unfinished basement into an art studio might just be the perfect solution to provide the space you need to focus. Entertainment Area Have you always wanted your own games room or an area to host friends? You can easily turn your basement into an entertainment area. With a cool bar, comfy seating and some entertainment included, your basement might just end up being the best spot to kick off the weekends. Man Cave or Woman Cave One of the most popular basement transformations we see nowadays includes the man or woman cave. If you need a space to call your own, a dedicated ‘cave’ can do just that. As a busy member of the family, you deserve to have space where you can relax, enjoy and get some much-needed reprieve. So think of certain things that you’d like to include that can create an inviting space where you can unwind whenever you need to. Comfortable seating, cozy carpets, and comforting ambience are a few ideas to get you started. If you want to turn one of these creative ideas into your reality, contact us at the RenosGroup.ca. We’ll transform your unfinished or neglected basement into a fun and useful space that everyone can enjoy together. Learn more about our services or contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427 today for a free quote!

8 Ideas for Your Future Dream Basement

8 Ideas for Your Future Dream Basement

Do cold concrete floors, old Christmas decorations, and boxes with items for storage come to mind whenever you think of your basement? Although it can be challenging to see past the bare bones and clutter down there, you’d be surprised at how easily you can transform that space into your new favourite room in the house. With a few renovations, you can create your own personal haven or an area for the kids. Get inspired to take charge of your underutilized space with these ideas for your future dream basement. The Entertainment Den If you’ve been secretly dreaming about having a personal entertainment lounge in the comfort of your own home, the basement is the perfect spot to make that dream come true. Since it is below the main level, you won’t have to worry as much about noise. And, with so much blank space to play with, you can really let your imagination run wild and design it exactly how you like. Add a giant flat screen, surround sound, lazy boy chairs, and whatever you need for ultimate comfort. You can even install a beer fridge so you can sit back and relax while you watch the game. The options are endless for creating your personal entertainment den at home. The Games Room & Bar Speaking of beer fridge, you can go the extra mile and create a games room and bar alongside your entertainment den. There’s no better way to celebrate the Superbowl or kick back after the busy work week than by inviting friends over for some fun. Imagine having a retro-style pinball machine, a billiards table, poker table, dart board, and a cool bar that’s designed just as you like it. Whether your style is modern, vintage, or something in between, you can get as creative as you like! The Yogi Sanctuary If you’re a yogi and have been struggling to stretch out or find the peace and quiet that you need to enjoy your practice, this room can become your perfect sanctuary. With plush carpeting, earthy tones, and plenty of room, you can throw down your mat and set up your space as you wish. A few candles and soothing music can finish it off to create the perfect calm and inviting atmosphere to help deepen your meditation and practise. Multi-Purpose Space Who says your basement should serve one purpose? Creating a multi-functional space can offer several benefits. If you have plenty of room to utilize, you can consider redesigning it to include a home gym, alongside an entertainment area, or just an extra living room where you and the family can lounge out and enjoy the space together. An Extra Bedroom If you have kids, an extra bedroom tucked away in the basement can be ideal for your eldest child once they’re eager for more space from their younger siblings. This can keep them out of your hair while giving them more independence before they officially ‘fly from the nest.’ It can also come in handy whenever there’s a visitor or two visiting from out of town. Woman Cave In this day and age, women deserve to have their own personal space to relax and recuperate from the world. Whether it’s a reading room with a cozy setting, your own games room, or just a calm and comfortable oasis where you can listen to your music and chill out in, make it your own and think of how you can create the best space to serve your needs. Family Room When you’re entertaining guests, do you dream of having an extra family room where your kids can escape and entertain themselves for a few hours? Creating another family room is ideal. You can let the kids go downstairs and watch movies or keep busy while you enjoy the company of your guests. It’s a win-win scenario! Playroom for the Kids Alternatively, if your children are young and you’ve been feeling cooped up together without enough room for them to run around, you don’t have to consider moving. Although it may be difficult to envision your basement looking like something beyond a storage room, there are endless possibilities that can serve the purpose you need it to. A few minor renovations, like fresh, bright colour paint, carpeting, and kid-friendly furnishing and toys can be all you need to spruce it up and turn it into the perfect den and playroom for your children. When you’re struggling to see beyond the concrete and boxes in your basement, remember these ideas for your future dream basement and how it can serve you and your family’s needs best. And when you’re ready to get started, contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427. Our wide network and handy team of professionals can take care of all of your home renovation needs.

10 of the Most Popular Reno Requests We Get Come Fall

10 of the Most Popular Reno Requests We Get Come Fall

Most people think home renovations slow down after the summer months, but not for us! Each year when fall comes along, our phones keep ringing non-stop with requests for home improvements. With the extreme cold weather conditions just around the corner, people in the area start to look for ways to better equip their homes for the winter months. In fact, fall is one of the most popular months to upgrade your home, and we’ll show you why in this article. Read on for an inside look into some of the most popular reno requests we get come fall. Kitchen Upgrades The kitchen is the heart of the home — when it gets renovated, it’s intrusive. That’s why fall is the best time to have your kitchen redone. You can open up the windows and let the fresh air in and construction dust out as the temperatures are mild. It’s also easier to get the work done when the kids are back at school. Bathroom Renos People often ask us why we believe fall is the perfect time to redo your bathroom space. We tell them it’s because the holidays are fast approaching and guests and family are more likely to visit, so wouldn’t it be nice to have a fresh new space for everyone to see? Plus, when winter rolls around you don’t want any freezing cold weather delaying any of your remodelling work. When you renovate in the fall, you can get everything ready before winter comes and slows down your progress. New Insulation Insulation is a very popular request come fall. Upgrades will leave you cozier come winter time when the temperatures start to drop off. New insulation can also reduce the risk of mould, mildew, and dry rot that commonly form when the outside temperature becomes colder than the indoors, creating condensation in your home. Mobility Improvements With shorter days and icy conditions come winter time, we receive a number of phone calls to reduce the hazards around the home. By adding safety products and installing materials that improve accessibility, we can make a home safer for those with mobility and visibility issues. This includes non-slip tape, non-slip floor coverings, easy to grip handrails, wider doorways, easy to reach light switches, and others home accessories. With just a few modifications we can help you feel more comfortable in your own home. Heated Floors That old plush carpet may help keep your home warm, but it also traps dirt and mould in the fibres. That’s why many people are switching to heated flooring. Under-floor heating provides even heating across the floor so you can stay warm all winter long. Best of all, this type of flooring doesn’t affect indoor air quality as other types do. Fireplaces If you own a wood burning fireplace, you may want to replace it and fast! Not only do they create harmful pollutants in your home, but they are also a fire concern and tend to lose more heat than today’s common gas or electric fireplaces. That’s why we get plenty of calls to install electric fireplaces in the fall. The electric fireplace is not only more energy efficient, it also doesn’t require as much maintenance over time. Finished Basements The unfinished basement is another popular fall renovation project. As people buy homes in the spring and summer, they don’t get enough time to start working on the basement until the fall. That’s why we get a number of calls for basement jobs this time of year. Personal gyms, music studios, playroom for the kids, games rooms, offices, and secondary rental units — we do them all and more. Garage Storage Did you buy a number of new toys for you and the kids this summer, but now have nowhere to store your basketball nets, ski-dos, pool toys, or bikes in the winter? You’re not alone! Not everyone has space in their home to store away all their personal belongings. That’s where we come in to help renovate your garage to improve functional storage space. Vertical wall shelving, overhead storage racks, fitted wall cabinets, you name it, we can help you organize your garage to fit your car and all your favourite toys come winter. Exterior Siding Old and damaged siding only gets worse in the winter. It only takes a few cracks or damaged areas for the freezing cold water and moisture to seep in. Fall is the right time to replace it with more modern styles like cedar and stucco that will keep your home dry all year long. Windows and Doors If you’ve been thinking about replacing your window and doors, fall is the best time to do it. The moderate temperature creates the perfect environment for window and door installations. Plus, getting them replaced now will ensure that you get energy savings come winter time. If you’re ready to talk about your reno requests come fall, contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427. We can help you plan out your perfect renovation project this season!

5 Compelling Reasons to Finally Finish Your Basement

5 Compelling Reasons to Finally Finish Your Basement

It’s easy to understand why the basement often becomes one of the most neglected areas of the home. It’s out of sight and out of mind. Plus, it can be challenging to see past the storage boxes, concrete floors and exposed, drywall. But when you do look past all of that, you’ll recognize that you’re ignoring an opportunity to add more usable and convenient space to your home. So before you shake your head at the idea of a basement reno, first consider a few of these compelling reasons to finally finish your basement. Increase The Value Of Your Home Having a finished basement can significantly increase the value of your property. Whether you decide to convert it into a separate apartment, office space, or bedroom, having that extra room when it’s time to market your home will entice more buyers and increase your selling price. Flexible Space Since the basement is tucked away from the main floor, you can be flexible with the design and transform it into whatever you wish. You could convert it into a games room with a bar, an entertainment room with extra comfy seating, or a workout space – the options are really endless. Give The Kids Some Space Imagine being able to have space where the kids can go play or hang out with their friends without causing a ruckus on the main level. Whether you have little ones or teenagers, having that extra room can provide more elbow room while giving you some reprieve from all the noise. Extra Income Another worthy reason to finish your basement is the extra income you could be making from it. By converting the space into a separate basement apartment, you could rent it out and enjoy a relatively passive influx of extra income each month. At Home Office With more homeowners working from home part-time or full-time, it can be tough finding the space you need with some peace and quiet to get down to business. Your basement provides the perfect opportunity to create a home office where you can remove yourself from the commotion on the main floor. Don’t let all of that extra potential space be used to store away old boxes and collect dust. At RenosGroup.ca, we can help create the perfect space for your needs. Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427 today to learn how you can get started.

Fun Ideas To Liven Up Your Basement

Fun Ideas To Liven Up Your Basement

Are you neglecting your basement? Maybe it’s time for a basement reno to make it more inviting and comfortable to use. Basements are commonly forgotten about and deemed as a place for storage, but there’s so much potential in using all that extra space. Here are some fun ideas to liven up your basement so that you and the family will actually want to use it. Movie Room The basement can be a perfect spot to create your very own movie room. With limited natural light, it already has that darkened movie theatre ambience. Add a projector, surround sound, some comfy seating, maybe even a handy fridge to house snack and drinks nearby and you’re set! Games Room Whether it’s for the kids or you and your friends, having a games room is a great way to liven up your basement. Imagine having your very own pool table, pinball machine, poker table and more, right in your own home? Best of all, it’s tucked away off of the main level to contain any rowdy noise once the games are in full swing. Family Room If you’re short on space on the main level of your home, creating another family room or den for the kids can provide that much-needed extra space. You can get the kids out of your hair, or finally have enough room to lounge together as a family in a comfortable, cozy basement setting. Woman Cave Forget about the man cave. Today, it’s all about the woman cave! With your hectic, busy schedule, running around with the kids and everything in between, you deserve to reclaim that basement space and transform it into your own unique personal sanctuary.  Whether it’s a yoga and meditation room or a personal library where you can kick back and relax, make it your own! Exercise Room Gyms memberships can be costly, especially when you barely use them. But with your extra space in the basement, you can create your own personal gym right at home. You won’t have to trudge outside or use those excuses any longer! But you can finally stay in shape right from the convenience of your home. There are endless fun ideas to liven up your basement! So get inspired and get creative to transform it into an area of the home that will be inviting and comfortable for you to use. When you’re ready to tackle that reno, contact us or give us a call.at (613)727-9427.   We can take care of it all for you!

Building A Home Studio In Your Basement

Building a Home Studio in Your Basement

Looking to create your own home studio in your basement? Whether it’s for work or play, if you have some free space in your basement you can easily build the type of space you’ve been dreaming of. But knowing how to plan properly and prepare is essential to getting it done right. Soundproofing and utilizing the amount of room that you can play with efficiently to house your equipment, are just a few factors to consider. Before you jump into your renovation, check out our 3 key steps for setting up a home studio in your basement. Space Requirements Most home studios require two spaces – one for the sound booth where you capture the music and one area for the audio mixing room where the music mixing and producing resides. The size of the sound booth will depend on how many instruments you want to record from, and it will be different if you plan to house a small band versus just you on the guitar and mic. The mixing room will also need to fit your equipment, which can change depending on whether you want a small or large-scale studio operation. Creating a thorough floor plan before you start the renovation will save you time and money in the long run. Soundproofing and Acoustic Treatment Building the home studio in your basement will already ensure some soundproofing from the surrounding foundation and ground outside. However, you want to create additional soundproofing between the downstairs and upstairs. Plus, you want to keep outside noises away that could distort the sound. You can easily install some acoustic foam, sound diffusers, bass traps and reflection filters to keep the noise in and to ensure you can keep distracting ambient noises out. Purchasing the Equipment Once you have the sound booth and mixing studio built, you’ll want to add the necessary equipment. To get you started you need a computer, digital audio workstation to mix and edit the music, audio interface to provide all the connections to your music, a quality set of microphones, headphones, studio monitors, a cable to connect the mic and audio interface, along with cables to connect the interface to the monitors. And of course, any of the instruments you would like to use in your studio should also be purchased if not already done so. Building your own home studio in your basement can provide hours of fun and can help you take your sound to the next level. But if you don’t plan and build it out right you might end up ignoring it more than using it. So let us help! At the RenosGroup, we can help you plan and create your build so that you can easily transform your basement into a studio that gets you pumped to use it every time.  Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

Hottest Basement Trends

Hottest Basement Trends

Basement renos and remodelling have grown in popularity over the past few years as homeowners become more inclined to make use of that entire square footage. Whether it’s an entertainment hub for the family, a place for the kids to hang out, or your own special spot to have the friends over for cocktails, here are some of 2017’s hottest basement renovation trends that are leading the way this year. Open Concept Think the open concept has passed? Think again! When it comes to basement floor plans, the open concept is a keeper. Tearing down those dividing walls and taking advantage of the expansive space is not only beneficial from a design standpoint, but also for promoting air flow and allowing as much natural light to filter in from the windows. An Integral Part of the Home In the past, the basement was often a forgotten space. It was commonly used for storage, setting up an extra spot for extended family to stay during the holidays, or an unfinished den where your teenage kids would retreat to with their friends in tow. Well, not anymore. Now, we’re seeing an increasing trend where homeowners are honing in on that once forgotten space. It’s now being transformed into an integral part of the home and an extension of the upstairs living space. So naturally, you will find just as much attention to detail, design, and décor throughout the basement layout as you would in the main living room. Home Theatre & Media Room Some homeowners are even taking full advantage of the basement space by cranking up the luxury factor and adding in elements they can really indulge in like an enclosed home theatre and a media room. This is where the serious media enthusiast can get pampered. The Basement Bar & Sports Center Imagine having your own personal sports bar, right in your own home! If you’re bored with the idea of creating another bedroom or zone for the kids, why not make it your own space to kick back and relax with your friends while you take in all the sports action? You can create the ultimate sports lounge with a customized bar, paired with some exceptionally comfy seating, a widescreen to blow your mind, and even a few entertainment pieces like a pool table. If you can dream it, you can create it – and that goes for your basement. If you’re bored with the idea of wasting it on storage or another bedroom that you simply don’t need, claim that space and transform it into something you truly want. When you’re ready, contact us or give us a call at (613)727-9427  RenosGroup.ca to help keep up to date with the hottest basement trends

Reasons to Put a Bedroom in Your Basement

6 Reasons to Put a Bedroom in Your Basement

If you have a basement that is not being utilized, you’re missing out! There are plenty of great things you can do with the empty space in your basement. And putting a bedroom downstairs is one of the best ways to implement any unused area in your home. So, if you’re getting low on space or would like to make some extra income, read on to as we delve into some of the reasons to put a bedroom in the basement Need a Guest Room If you have family members who live out of town or friends who like to visit, then creating a guest room may be the perfect option for the basement space. Having a Baby When your house is already full and you have a baby on the way it can be stressful figuring out what to do with the nursery. Creating a bedroom in the basement is a great way to move one of the older children downstairs and free up one of the rooms closer to you. Teenager Preference As a teen, it’s really cool to have your own personal space in the basement. It may also be better for you too, as you won’t have to listen to their loud music or chit chat with their friends right next door to your room. Family Assistance A returning college grad might need a place to live to get back on their feet. And maybe you have an aging parent who may need extra assistance. Creating an extra room to help family members have a free rent space for a while is a great reason to add a bedroom in the basement. Get a Tenant If your home has a separate entrance to the basement you may even be able to make some extra side income. Basement apartments are an easy way to make money through long term rentals. All you need to add is another small bathroom and kitchen area and make sure it has a separate entrance and you are ready to rent. Increase Resale Value Adding an extra bedroom to your home can also be an easy way to increase the resale value. In most homes, it doesn’t take much money to remodel a quality living space downstairs compared to the payback you will get. It’s also an excellent way to add more square footage without doing having to build a costly extension on your home. Basements are often underutilized spaces where old belongings pile up. So why not put it to better use by simply doing a remodel and adding in an extra bedroom?  Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427

Reasons to Finish Your Unfinished Basement

5 Reasons to Finish Your Unfinished Basement

The basement can often become one of the most neglected rooms in a home. But it can also have some of the best potential for providing additional space for a variety of purposes. It can benefit your entire family and your resale value in the future. If you’ve been thinking about finishing your basement, consider these five reasons to finish your unfinished basement. Create More Space Having an unfinished basement is really wasting a space that could have so much potential. Depending on the size and layout, you can create an additional space that can be turned into whatever you need or want in your home. Whether it’s another bedroom, an income suite, a children’s playroom, or even a den for yourself where you get to indulge in your personalized entertainment space – there are so many options! Increase the Value of Your Home Aside from additional space, investing in finishing your basement can also significantly improve the value of your home. Potential buyers want to purchase a home where there’s little renovation needed. Having your basement upgraded and finished is one of the best ways to keep buyers interested in your property if you should ever consider selling in the future. Increase Storage and Organization Basements are the perfect place to store away items that aren’t frequently used. You can create a space in the basement purely for keeping all of your storage organized and tidy, while still have space to utilize for enjoyment. So rather than having to rely on your garage for storing away old boxes and risk having them ruined by any potential mildew, you can keep them safe and dry, out of sight and well organized. Improve Health and Safety Finishing your basement not only provides more space and storage, but it can also improve the health and safety of your home as well. Basements that are neglected can become a haven for mould to develop and grow since water damage and leaks can become a common problem. By taking the time to renovate it now, you can avoid and eliminate the potential for toxic mold and water problems in the future. Comfortable and Economical There’s no better place to get some reprieve during the summer heat waves than down in the cool basement. But when it’s unfinished, no one wants to even consider stepping down there. By renovating it into a comfortable space, you and the family can utilize it during the summer, and even save on those energy bills by avoiding the need to crank up the A/C as often. If you’re undecided about investing in your unfinished basement, it truly can be one of the most rewarding projects to undertake. Aside from it improving the safety and resale value of your home, you can create a comfortable and economical space that you and the family can enjoy.  Contact us, or give us a call at (613)727-9427