I’m so excited to share my latest design project with you, my relaxing basement ‘oasis’, a cozy space where I can lounge with family and friends, or relax just by myself. This post is in collaboration with The RoomPlace, a family-owned Chicago and Indianapolis-based furniture store.

First off, a little background: prior to this project, our basement had something for everyone except me. There was the ‘Man Cave’ section for Tom, complete with an arcade game, dartboard, pub table, bar stools, a tv/gaming area, and a carefully chosen neon light from a site similar to www.neonfilter.com. For Adam, a cute play area flanks the other end of the room, housing all of his toys (now Sophia’s toys), a small tv, a baby lazy boy chair, and a small kids table – the perfect seating area for arts and crafts. In between those two spaces was a sort of a free-for-all; there was a table we brought from our old home that we didn’t know what to do with and a foosball table. There is also space intended for a bar – we know because there is a square of tiled flooring in the midst of all the carpet – which we had occupied by a little tikes basketball hoop that hadn’t been used in years.

So…it was about time I got to work on a space of my own downstairs. When The RoomPlace reached out to collaborate, of course I was thrilled. I had just finished my Master Bedroom refresh not long ago, and I was itching for a new design project. Read on for my tips on creating a calming space of your own, and scroll down for before and after pictures!

A quick note here though, before you start with a remodeling of the basement, it would be a good idea to check for any structural issues underneath. One of the best ways to do that could be by hiring basement repair professionals (visit https://remodelingcontractororlando.com/ for more information on basement repair professionals) to do the inspection and repair work. Since the basement is usually super close to the home’s foundational structure (and crawlspace), it’s better to eliminate any problems like excess moisture and mold, the presence of radon, dry rot, and such under there sooner rather than later.

Additionally, bringing in professionals from a company like Crawlspace Medic could be an option as this is not something I would recommend you do on your own. Once that’s taken care of, you’re good to go. Enjoy creating a wonderful retreat right in your own home!

5 Tips To Create A Calming Oasis In Your Home

Tip 1: Create zones within a space to serve your needs

I knew I wanted to have: 1) a reading nook with a chaise 2) a seating area for hanging out and 3) a bar so we didn’t have to run upstairs just to refresh our drinks or get a snack. Instead of choosing a large sofa and loveseat combo which could have easily fit in the space, I was thrilled to find these Olson collection wooden accent chairs, which have a modern wooden flare leg and a comfy but firm padded cushion seat and back. They weren’t bulky so I knew two of them would look great together, with this gorgeous mirrored accent table in between to create one zone, anchored by a rug. For my reading nook, I went with the Olson chaise which coordinates perfectly with the chairs, placed at a diagonal. I loved the Olson collection because it has a simple but modern vibe.

Tip 2: When In Doubt: Neutrals

I always like to buy furniture in a neutral color – so it will be a piece that I can use for years to come. White, ivory, beige, grey, and greige are my favorite neutral tones for furniture and most modern style furniture these days come in these colours, making it easy to pick out certain pieces. Then, if I ever feel the need for a change, I only have to swap out my pillows and throws every now and then.

Tip 3: Don’t Forget Lighting

One of the biggest mistakes people make is to forget the importance of proper lighting. Not only can the right lighting transform a room aesthetically, but in function too. If you’re ever planning to change any fixtures that need rewiring, it’s always best to call a professional, like https://aardvark-electric.com/areas-we-serve/collier-hills/, to come and do this work for you. The ceiling in our basement already has plenty of recessed lighting which is set on a dimmer, but I wanted to be sure we had a little extra task lighting, especially around the reading area. The Shasta floor lamp worked perfectly with its arc shape, which hangs over the Chaise and can be moved wherever more light is needed.

Tip 4: Safety First

The Edvard bar in taupe is one of my favorite pieces because it’s what makes the room look ready for a party. Since I knew it would be right next to the kid’s play room, I wanted to be sure the bar had two doors that completely closed, to avoid children getting into the bar and possibly getting hurt. To complete the look I added the Hobbs bar stools which are actually heavy and sturdier than I had expected, which is more important than you realize until you have kids running around. Trust me on that!

Tip 5: Add Color(s)

I played with the color scheme of the old curtains we had that I still love. The curtains are like a light pinkish rose color, striped with light gold and a creamy beige. I love a navy blue and pink color combination, so I used the old designer trick and placed a few pops of the each, blue and pink, all around the room to tie it all together. No room is complete without a little greenery, so I finished with some pretty succulents and other plants to breathe life into the space.

Scroll down for the finished room, and all the way down for the before!