*This post is sponsored by The Home Depot (who I’m convinced is my fairy godmother)
I’ve never loved the idea of a basement, they are dark, damp, and cold. Plus I’m convinced the boogie monster (aka the mice) have overrun mine. Worst, our basement became kind of the catch-all for miscellaneous items we didn’t know where to place…that means it was an excellent breeding ground for who-knows-what. We started stashing things down there when we first move in, it was just a glorified storage room.
One day I went down there (after not having been down there for several months), and lo and behold the floor was totally covered in random junk, not a single bit of floor showed through…it turns out the kids would stand at the top of the step and toss miscellaneous items they didn’t know what to do with into the basement then run (grenade!), they were so afraid of the “creepy basement”. It was so hard to keep organized, even I gave up. I wished I could just lite the whole thing on fire and call it a day; sadly it is attached to my house, so that probably isn’t a solution.
It turns out the kids would stand at the top of the step and toss miscellaneous items they didn’t know what to do with into the basement then run (grenade!), they were so afraid of the creepy basement!
Then one day The Home Depot swooped in and saved the day, orange cape and all! Seriously guys, when they asked how I would like to try out my choice of Vinyl Tile (I chose Limestone Linear), I suddenly a ton of inspiration and motivation. I have lots of experience with vinyl tile from Home Depot, both in my old house and here in my current home. I know the power of great flooring to kick off a makeover. I also know how wonderful it is to have the ability lay the flooring yourself when you are on a tight budget. You can see my how-to on laying vinyl tile flooring here on The Home Depot blog.
But wait, it didn’t end there. Not only would they provide my choice of flooring, but whatever I needed from the Home Decorators collection to make my space beautiful. Guys, good news, I think my fairy godmother is The Home Depot. It all makes sense now…I always felt special when I walked into that orange hardware palace…like I was the princess of DIY’ers and anything was possible. 😀 I gave a resounding “um yes please” (trying not to sound desperate), and so in a few short weeks my scary basement has gone from a loathsome space to my absolute favorite space in the house.
Ok, want to see the before pictures? Are you SURE you want to see the before pictures? It’s really really really bad. As in. I-have-to-hide-my-face-to-show-you-these, bad.
Oh it’s a good thing I can’t see your face. Are you twitching? I’m twitching. It’s really bad right? Now you know why I wished I could just light it on fire and not deal with it right? But it’s ok! There is a happy ending to that scary story!
Ready to see the after?
Welcome to my brand new craft room! I made myself a work table and added cabinet storage from a set of old dingy kitchen cabinets someone threw out and I happily dragged down the street to make good use of. They got quite a bit more than just a paint job, but that is an entire post for another time.
And of course every basement turned craft room requires lots of storage space. I like to make the most of vertical space with DIY pinboards, and pegboards…I had to content myself with one of each since the walls were concrete brick. Otherwise I would cover all four walls in pegboards and cork boards if I could have without drilling permanent holes in the concrete walls.
Instead I made one large DIY pin board from a frame to keep all my magazine clippings, fabric swatches, and other plans or inspiration. I couldn’t resist adding one more hole for a stunning piece of artwork. You know me and art, I have at least one pretty piece in every room of my house (even closets!).
Don’t you just love my little coupon holder? I wish there was one that said eat, sleep, diy, repeat.
I love stylish open storage, and since a pegboard should look as amazing as it functions, a little gold spray paint job made all the pegs and wire holders a beaut! I’m actually stalking my local thrift shop for more nifty little fifty cent wire baskets.
It is always the little details that make a big difference, both when it comes to design and when it comes to storage!
I always like to bring greenery into a space, and a little candlelight never hurt anyone. After all, you never know when this space is going to suddenly turn into a guest room. I often have more guests than my house can handle in one sitting.
My basement is a fairly decent size and runs long rather than wide. This made it easy to divide the space into zones. You just saw where all our crafting is done, and now welcome to the seating and living area.
I placed a beautiful area rug to clearly mark the start of the seating area. It has proven a fantastic space to entertain fellow moms while our kids work on crafts nearby. Some evenings it even has become my own special mom cave where I sprawl out on my couch with my laptop and peruse Pinterest. Then should inspiration strike, I jump over to my work table and can get my craft on!
Just because it is an area to read, visit, and lounge doesn’t mean it shouldn’t have tons of storage as well. I’m lucky that the previous owners had these large floor to ceiling shelving put into the basement. They weren’t too attractive before, but with a more true chrome colored spray paint, and white on the shelves, it looked a little more like the attractive industrial style we all love. I’m also in love with those clear zip top Aubrey Bin storage cubes on the top shelves; they keep dust out, and junk well organized.
There is yet more storage under the stairs…well you saw how much stuff we have right? 😀 It had to go somewhere…
After all these years I finally have the craft room I’ve always wished I could have, and just in 3 short weeks of hard work. Who knew it was there all along in the unused space of my basement?
In addition to these beautiful items, I also purchased an adjustable arc floor lamp, a few indoor plants, and really cool white bamboo ceramic pots, all from The Home Depot. The flooring is Traffic Master Limestone Linear peel & stick vinyl tiles.
*An extra special thank you to The Home Depot for being my basement fairy godmother and sponsoring this post. 🙂 I acknowledge that The Home Depot is partnering with me to participate in this Vinyl Tile Program. As a part of the Program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services, for the purpose of promoting The Home Depot. All expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post complies with the Word Of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Federal Trade Commission guidelines.
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Jenn(ifer)
Hi Carmona!
Your make over made me long for the bar stools when you first posted it. Years later and a complicated round about with ordering and shipping through a dedicated company finally allowed me to got them for my kitchen here in Germany…
Thank you!
https://heim-elich.de/2019/08/traum-barhocker-rehkitz-kissen/
Greetings from Germany
Jenn(ifer)
Ursula Carmona
It looks amazing in your lovely kitchen! Wow, you really made it happen!! <3
airbnb property management sydney
Thanks for sharing this article about basement remodeling.
Jill
Hi there! How did you attach the Kraft paper roll to the side of your island? Thanks! Awesome looking space!
Ursula Carmona
Hi Jill,
It is a very simple solution! I attached small hooks to the underside of the craft table, and used then to hook a 1/2″ dowel to hold the Kraft paper!
B.Dillinger
(picks jaw up from the floor…) you #slayed this basement makeover! Really super duper incredible. Now being the selfish DIY’r that I am wanted to see all the steps, and hear about every inch of this…total transformation. I know its a ton to chronicle, photograph and layout. BUT still…that’s why I come here and I rock’s with you.
Ursula Carmona
Thank you! I’m so glad to hear there are those out there who look forward to the details. I will be sure to do that!! Thanks for following along. 🙂
Dee
Amazingly beautiful!
Susie from The Chelsea Project
Love it! Love it! Oh to be so organized…and in such a beautiful place. I’d just want to lounge on that comfy sofa, drink coffee, and read a good book. I’m lazy like that. LOL… Great job!
Ursula Carmona
Haha! Thank you! Girl, I’m lazy like that too… *high five*
DeDe @Designed Decor
OMG! We were just talking about your basement and now look! So sad that you will have to re-create a new one! I bet this is what sold the house!
Carolyn
Hi Beautiful Basement, what is the name and color of the paint?
Teresa
Love your flooring. Looking at vinyl tile from Home Depot right now for our basement after having to pull up all the carpet. Have samples at home, but, wonder which color your tile is. Love the color/style.
Ursula Carmona
Thank you! This is the peel and stick Limestone Linear vinyl tile.
Kendra
What a beautiful transformation! !
Ursula Carmona
Thank you my dear friend! <3
Karen Towns
Very nicely done!
Ursula Carmona
Thank you! <3
Kara {Miss Frugal Fancy Pants}
And, we’re done, folks. You rocked it again! Congrats on making that space enjoyable and thanks for sharing! Keep it coming!
Antionette Blake
What a transformation, you definitely did a great job. I am working on my library this weekend, not just painting but decluttering as we plan on putting the house on the market before the end of the spring. Home Depot is also my 2nd home and Behr paint is not my favorite!
Ursula Carmona
Thank you! Oh boy, prepping the house for sale is no small job. How well I know! Best of luck!
Sue Castanien
My basement looks similar to your before pictures. I’ve been trying to figure out how to best use the space for my family’s needs. Many of the decorating shows and magazines give solutions that far exceed my budget. You have given me so many great ideas to use for my transformation! I will start on it as soon as I finish my current project..
Ursula Carmona
Thank you so much for such a lovely compliment! That truly touched my heart.
Best of luck on your basement…I know how hard it can be to make a space that works well for you. 🙂
Kathy
What a transformation and such a beautiful space to be creative in!! Love the gold storage on the peg board. Great job!
Ursula Carmona
Thank you Kathy! Haha, we are clearly gold fanatics. 😀
Iris
Ursula, I love this makeover! I’d work in that space any day, and I bet you have a wonderful time doing just that yourself!
Ursula Carmona
Thank you Iris! I confess, I am really enjoying the space! 🙂
Teddee Grace
Having trouble finding anything called “clear zip top closet maid storage cubes.” Do you have a more definitive name? Love the makeover.
Ursula Carmona
Thank you! Yes, it is actually the Aubrey bin storage (Closet Maid brand) from Home Decorators. You can find it here. 🙂
Blue Wren
Bet the kids don’t find it scary now! Some people have a problem with affiliated links, but I do not – you need to make a living, right? What would be nice, is a cost break down if someone wished to do the same kind of makeover. Perhaps you could do an update focusing on all the elements you installed and the price of each?
Blue Wren
Oh yeah, and it looks really stunning. Congrats!
Ursula Carmona
Lovely idea! Thank you for the suggestion! 🙂
Jann from Newton Custom Interiors
Your basement reno is great! I have white pegboard in my sewing studio, and I love it!
Ursula Carmona
Thank you! Aren’t they quite handy? 😉
Amy | Delineate Your Dwelling
Best basement transformation ever! Simply gorgeous and such a great space to spend time in!!
Ursula Carmona
Thank you Amy! I’m grateful to have my basement back! lol!
Susan
Oh, how very, very lovely. I know you never want to leave your new basement (I’d be “hiding” there all the time).