How To Finish A Basement (2023)

Before you pick out any type of flooring and decor, you’ll need a blank slate. Clear away all loose items and whatever other treasures you’ve been storing and move them to another room so you can inspect the space and ensure your basement is up to code. We recommend applying for permits, researching building codes and having a professional fix existing issues, such as carbon monoxide buildup, foundational cracking, instability, joist sag, mold or other water damage.

Basements often suffer from leaks and dampness caused by foundational cracks where groundwater seeps through and creates unwanted pressure. Bring in a dehumidifier, regrade your lawn or apply waterproof paint before starting your makeover so that you can treat both symptom and cause.

Next, for the most impactful basement before and after, plan your layout. Where’s the best spot for the entertainment station and snackbar? Or, if you’re refinishing without the added pizzazz, consider the tools and materials you’ll need for the walls, floors and ceilings. Submit your correctly scaled floor plan, complete with dimensions and electrical work, to your local building inspections department as required. Don’t forget to leave at least seven feet of clearance from floor to ceiling so you and your guests don’t bump heads.

Don’t let the fun of picking out paint and flooring for your new basement design distract you injury. Take precautions before you pick up the tools. The International Code Council (ICC) has established a set of rules to keep you safe while revamping your house—basements included. One special standard applied to underground spaces is the inclusion of an egress window, also known as an emergency exit window. Follow the regional requirements for constructing the window’s height, width and sill properties so firemen and other personnel can climb in or out.

Since the majority of basements have water heaters and furnaces, it’s also key to place carbon monoxide and smoke detectors in your downstairs area. Another air quality item to take into account: Asbestos exposure caused by old pipes and other building materials in older homes. Hire professionals to mitigate the potential of breathing toxic air. You may even consider the addition of an extra sump pump to decrease the likelihood of mold and mildew exposure.

Other than covering the essentials for your basement, make sure you cover yourself as well. If you’re a fan of DIY and you’re taking the project into your own hands, you’ll need to acquire the proper safety equipment, such as a dust mask, ear plugs, gloves and goggles.

1. Install Your Insulation

Once basement walls are cleared of debris, add polystyrene foam. You’ll want to cut your insulation a 1/4th inch shorter than the height of the wall using a circular saw or utility knife. Then, apply adhesive to the wall before sticking the foam against it. After all the slabs of insulation are in place, secure duct tape over the seams between them. You may also use caulk for awkward gaps.

2. Frame Your Walls

Screw or nail two-by-fours between overhead joists, creating blocks every 2 feet along the parallel wall. Next, draw a line 4 inches from the wall to mark where you’ll align the frames. Every 16 inches, apply wall joists to the bottom plates with your masonry drill, then copycat the step with the top plates. At the end of this process, ensure your wall is flat by using a level. If it’s unleveled, add a shim between the top plate and wall joists.

3. Add Your Utilities

Hire a contractor to install any plumbing, electric and air duct work that needs updating or installation. This step should only be DIYed where local codes permit and only by seasoned DIYers.

4. Hang Your Drywall

You can hang drywall vertically or horizontally depending on what’s best for your room. First, cut your drywall to align it with the studs, where you’ll be attaching it. Make sure to remove the portions of the drywall where you’ll need access to the utilities, then screw in the drywall. Apply tape once more to the seams and cover the screw heads with drywall mud.

5. Pick Your Paint

Since drywall can make for a bumpy surface, it’s best to sand over any lumps to smooth out ther canvas before applying your chosen paint. Apply a coat of primer before adding the final splash of color.

1. Construct Your Subflooring

Subfloors create moisture barriers and limit issues with leaking. It’s best to construct your subfloor out of plywood or polystyrene sheets—you can install either with cement or adhesive. Finish securing your material with a masonry drill and concrete screws if your basement floor is made of cement or stone. A subfloor will create a sturdy and dry structure to build your new floor upon.

2. Pick Your Flooring Materials

Choosing a floor for look, feel and utility is criticaln. A vinyl floor is water resistant and often has the appearance of wood planks for a warm, finished look. Tiles, on the other hand, are better for cleaning up the leaks some basements are predisposed to. While carpet may not be as aesthetically pleasing or waterproof, it’s a relatively low-budget option if you’re looking to cut costs.

3. Install Your Flooring

Whichever floor material you select, follow manufacturer instructions for installation. For example, with vinyl plank flooring you’ll want to remove baseboards and add joint spacers, among other steps. Vinyl and carpeted variations are typically the easiest to lay down, while others may require the help of professionals. Finally, for safety, be sure to lift with your legs, not your back, when moving heavy materials like tiles.

1. Select Your Ceiling Type

Though leaving pipes exposed in your basement ceiling is acceptable, the room may look more finished if they’re concealed. If you’re not looking forward to the work of a completely-finished basement, a simple (and quick) route involves applying paint to everything so that the ceiling’s elements blend together. More in-depth approaches include drop-ceilings and drywall ceilings. Drop-ceilings are the cheaper option but feature a less-polished look.

2. Install Your Ceiling

Drop ceilings require nails, hammers and wire to suspend ceiling elements from the joists of the floor above. You may choose to insulate your ceiling to help with noise from above. Depending on the complexity of the ceiling, you may want to use an insulation kit to do this.

Drywall ceilings require a drywall jack and will follow a process similar to the construction of basement walls, albeit at a much more challenging angle. Forbes Home highly recommends a professional for drywall ceiling installation in a basement.

Finishing a basement requires advanced renovation skills. If you’re confident in your knowledge and willing to invest in the time commitment, turning an unfinished basement into a beautiful new room or set of rooms can be a rewarding process. For those who want to do some of it themselves and leave the difficult parts to pros, consider taking on the lighter tasks such as painting, cleaning and caulking. Hire a professional if you don’t have the time to devote a week or more to a renovation.

Leave electrical and plumbing elements to professionals as well. Taking on these jobs could result in building code violations and serious risk to your home if extensive research is left undone. Neither the foundation of your home or your family’s health are worth saving a buck, so if you’re not already familiar with the procedures required, consider at least consulting a contractor for advice.