12 amazing ideas for your basement family room

Basements were made for family rooms! While that may be a bit of an overstatement, basements tend to be the best place for everyone in the family to have fun or just relax.

Here are 12 ideas to inspire you:

1. A built-in bed. The perfect space-saving solution to accommodate guests or simply get away from household distractions.

2. A climbing wall. A climbing wall is easy to install and a great way for kids to learn how to climb without the risk of injury.

3. A children’s playhouse. Design it for the space you have and you’ll have a guaranteed hit.

4. A minibar. A spot to serve your favourite cocktails or mocktails in style.

5. A playroom. A slide, climbing wall, arts and crafts table: the possibilities are endless!

6. A dedicated puzzle and board game table. A well-thought-out table is sure to bring the whole family together around one activity.

7. A dart board. Choose real steel-tip darts or, for those with kids, safety-tip darts so they can join the fun.

8. Home theatre. A basement family room just wouldn’t be complete without a big screen, right?

9. Under-the-stairs storage. Keep your family room inviting and organized by adding storage under the stairs.

10. A pool table. A great, fun activity when entertaining friends or simply hanging out with the family. (Added bonus: it’s the ideal opportunity to work on your game!) If a pool table takes up too much space, here are a few other options.

11. An indoor rink. You may not be able to set up an actual ice rink in your basement, but an open space with hockey boards can make an excellent ball hockey rink!

12. A wood stove. Nothing makes a space feel cozier than a wood-burning stove!

Additional considerations

Here are a few more tips to make your basement family room a success:

• Choose the right type of flooring. Carpeting may make the space cozier, but a floating floor is easier to maintain.
• Be sure to choose the right lighting for family activities or to make the ambiance just right.
• Decorate using lighter shades to keep the space is bright.
• Be sure to properly soundproof the ceiling.
• Manage the humidity level in the room—a damp basement is a surefire way to make your family room less inviting.

So many elements to consider, right? The key is to create a space where everyone feels good and wants to spend time.