There are some telltale signs your basement needs updating if you want to see them. If you’re not planning on selling your home and you like your basement as is, there is no reason to make any changes. For those who plan on putting their home up for sale, you may want to consider renovating your basement to get more buyer appeal. Five signs your basement is out of date are:
- Wood paneling – there was a time where wood paneling in the basement was the in thing to have but that time passed years ago. Take down the paneling, replace it with drywall and fresh paint. When selecting a paint color, look for a neutral color.
- Drop ceilings- yes, the drop ceiling does cover up all the mess in the ceiling, but they can be quite ugly themselves. There are all kinds of options to the basic drop ceiling these days. Check with a builder, or at a home store for alternative ways to finish off your basement ceiling.
- Carpeting, or worse, shag carpeting – carpeting in the basement can really make a basement look dated, especially if it has been there for many years. There are many great alternatives such as tile, vinyl that looks like tile, wood, laminate, or carpet tiles. You want a floor that can handle the moisture that comes up from the concrete. Carpet is tough to keep in good condition in the basement.
- Fluorescent lighting – a drop ceiling with fluorescent lighting panels is very out, and fluorescent lighting in general is out, pretty much anywhere in the house. Recessed lighting is a great way to look up to date and have great light, ceiling fixures in basement bedrooms are a good choice, and some lamps either stand alone or table lamps are also nice for lighting.
- Old furniture – do you put all your old furniture and home goods in the basement? It’s time to fix up your basement and get some new furniture as well. Gone are the days where no one used the basement. Now it is often a part of the home and deserved some new furnishings and decor.
Do you have signs that your basement needs updating? If you don’t want to completely revamp your basement, start by changing just one item that is out of date and slowly work through everything. If you have an unfinished basement, keep these ideas in mind when you decide to finish it off.