Basement interior design calls for a highly specialized set of skills. Because of the qualities unique to a basement, such as the absence of natural ventilation or lighting, a professional specializing in basement interior design would have to consider a lot more than one who does ordinary rooms.
Training for basement interior design may be achieved by enrolling in a design school with course specific to basement interior design principles, or by working with professionally trained individuals who have had years of experience in this field.
Things To Consider In Basement Interior Design
There are certain considerations a basement interior design professional must keep in mind when dealing with basement interior design, as these are situated at the bottom of buildings and houses and are therefore either built underground or just slightly aboveground.
First, basements have to have artificial lighting to compensate for the absence of natural light. In this regard, window treatments may be done away with when undertaking basement interior design.
An alternative would be to create a faux window for the basement just to counteract the effects of an enclosed space, but keep in mind that this may entail additional expenses you may not have taken into consideration during the initial planning stages of basement interior design.
Second, basements do not have natural ventilation either, so you have to consider air conditioning or vents when preparing your basement interior design. This will eventually affect the placement or furniture within the area.
A client may also have other basement interior design ideas about what to do with an existing basement. For instance, an artist may opt to convert it into an art studio, or a dance instructor may choose to use it as a dance studio. In the same vein, a musician may use it to double as a rehearsal studio for his band.
In all these cases, the basement interior design would have to be adapted to suit the function it is intended for, and this entails more than the ordinary expenses of a simple refurbishing. You will then find your skills as the Project Manager of this particular basement interior design put to the test!
What Type of Construction Would Be Involved?
Again, depending on the extent of changes the client wants to implement, construction on your basement
interior design project may range from very simple to extremely complicated and drawn-out. In most cases, paneling the walls and hiding pipes and wiring would be involved.
If you’re dealing with a large basement, you may even deal with additional walls and dividers plus new entrances. Of course, it’s always practical to work using existing structures, but there are clients for whom money is no object, and this can give you the extra freedom your creativity needs.
Otherwise, you would have to discuss all possibilities with the client before starting on the project. Always earmark funds for contingency expenses, and go back to the basement interior design drawing boards if necessary.
A basement interior design project can be fun and exciting, especially if you get to compare the “before” and “after” looks. You’ll be amazed at what paint, panels, and a play on light can do.
