30+ Basement Designs to Inspire Your Lower Level

Before I started investigating interior design, I always imagined basements to be dumping grounds for nostalgia, just waiting for someone to trip over and impale themselves on the ugly vase you were given last Christmas. Now that I’m a little more knowledgeable, it amazes me that more people don’t take advantage of their basements to create incredible entertainment and living spaces!

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Photo by Catherine Renae Thomas Design Co.. See more traditional basement designs

Photo by Creative Design Construction, Inc.. See more contemporary wine cellar designs

Photo by Concept Interiors. See more transitional living room designs

Photo by Urban Abode. See more transitional living room designs

Photo by John Kraemer & Sons. See more rustic living room designs

See more contemporary home bar designs

Photo by EL Studio. See more transitional home office designs

Photo by RD Architecture, LLC. See more contemporary living room designs

Photo by Trickle Creek Designer Homes. See more transitional home bar designs

Photo by STR8 Modern General Contracting & Real Estate, LLC. See more modern basement designs

Photo by User. See more contemporary basement designs

Photo by ARTium Design Build. See more contemporary basement designs

Photo by Ku Interior Design. See more contemporary home theater designs

Photo by Finished Basement. See more transitional basement designs

Photo by Douglas Design Studio. See more contemporary living room designs

Photo by Brandon Architects, Inc.. See more contemporary basement designs

Photo by The Drawing Board. See more mediterranean basement designs

Photo by James L Carroll & Associates Inc. See more transitional basement designs

Photo by College City Design Build. See more transitional basement designs

Photo by Albi Homes. See more transitional basement designs

Photo by Rivera Fine Homes. See more contemporary basement designs

Photo by Master Remodelers Inc.. See more transitional basement designs

Photo by barnboardstore. See more modern basement designs

Photo by Shalini Misra Ltd. See more contemporary family room designs

Photo by Stephen Clasper Interiors. See more contemporary basement designs

Photo by Celebrity Communities. See more mediterranean basement designs

Photo by Jan Gleysteen Architects, Inc. See more traditional basement designs

Photo by mint. See more traditional family room designs

Photo by William Lyon Homes. See more modern spaces designs

Photo by JAUREGUI Architecture Interiors Construction. See more traditional family room designs

Photo by Vicky's Homes. See more contemporary basement designs

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A quick final note: if you intend on using your basement as a place for children to play, study, or watch tv, make sure that your contractor puts in an exterior exit. It may be tempting to keep them down there where you know it’s safe, but if you live in an area prone to natural disasters, you’ll need to have as many emergency exits as possible.

Basements are best suited to sloped properties; to take advantage of the need to level the house, and so you can have plenty of natural light and doors to the outside!

Header image is via WestView Builders.