How many times have you been padding through the kitchen in bare feet and yelped as you stood on a sharp brick left on the floor? Do you have to reorganise your kitchen counter every time you want to make dinner, moving aside all those craft materials, pots of slime, and dirty paint water? A couple of tiny children and their ‘stuff’ can certainly make a house feel very cramped. If moving is out of the question, you may have the answer beneath your feet. Do you have a basement or cellar? Converting it into a playroom could give you a place to stow all the kids’ clutter and add value to your property. With a bit of cash and a dash of creativity, a cellar conversion could significantly increase the space in your house and get the kids out of your hair!
Don’t forget to check which building regulations apply in your locality, but wherever you live, you will need to consider the following;
Ventilation
You may already have a window. Make sure that it is functioning. If you have an open staircase with a door leading directly into the rest of your property, that will allow fresh air exchange. Still, it may be a good idea to put some air bricks on the outside wall.
Prevention of Damp
Checking out damp proof solutions is essential as your home’s current damp proofing may be above the line of the cellar floor. A wet cellar conversion is a non-starter as damp conditions will encourage mould to grow. Rising damp will not only damage any decorations but also be very bad for your children’s health.
Heating
Underground rooms are cooler than the rest of the house, so they require extra heating. Plug-in electric eaters are a great idea, but underfloor heating is an excellent option if you can afford it. Heat rises, so this type of heating system will ensure that the cellar is cosy.
Lighting
Make sure that you have plenty of bright lighting to avoid a gloomy feeling. The ceilings in your basement may be lower than in the rest of the house, so use up-lighters to give the illusion of a higher ceiling. Light wells that funnel outside light into your conversion are an excellent option.
Decorating
Once you have the basics in place, you can think about decorating the room. Ensure that you have some squidgy cushions and soft carpets or rugs on the floor so that the kids will be comfy down there. Keep the colours light and fresh to make the room seem larger and save cash by thrifting storage for all those toys or create your own simple shelving if you are good at DIY.
Keep them down there
If you have a water supply in the cellar, this may be an excellent opportunity to put in a second bathroom. The kids won’t have to have to hike upstairs when they need to go.
You will be able to relax in your uncluttered living room while the kids play quietly downstairs!
This is a featured post.
Leave a Reply