A basement can serve many purposes in a home: extra living space, extra recreational space, and even extra workspace. You can turn your basement into a game room, a movie room, a gym, an office, or even a bedroom. Or you can design your basement as a multipurpose room--wide open and ready for anything!
How you choose to style and outfit your basement will help set the space's tone and function. Every detail matters, but the floor is one of the most important considerations since it's not as easily changed as wall color or furniture. We've collected 11 marvelous basements with various flooring options to help you create your ideal basement. Check them out!
1. Textured Upgrade
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This upscale basement features an upscale floor to match. The neutral carpet color pairs well with the dark wood of the bar area and banister. Contrasting lights and darks in your design is always a smart choice, but opting for a carpet with a textured pattern helps upgrade the look from standard to stunning.
A plain carpet wouldn't deliver the same impact. When choosing your flooring, consider how you intend to use the space and make sure the style matches. This elegant basement is dressed just right and ready to entertain even your most sophisticated guests.
2. Casual Comfort
This large basement offers the perfect hangout space. The couches provide plenty of cozy seating for a family movie night or chatting with friends. And the other side of the room provides more than enough space to host a pool tournament for all your neighbors!
A plain but plush carpet is the perfect choice when creating a comfortable and casual basement where everyone will want to gather. The light neutral color keeps the room bright and inviting. Bonus tip: opting for a few rows of tile instead of carpet in front of the wet bar will make cleaning up any spills a breeze.
3. Simple Space
Basements tend to be cold spaces, so choosing carpet over another flooring option can bring more warmth to the room. This simple basement offers the perfect space for a kids' playroom, a home gym, or both! An easy-to-keep-clean option that won't show dirt or spills opt for a low-pile dark gray carpet. The neutral color will go with almost anything, and you'll appreciate the low maintenance style in a basement that's equipped more for function than fashion.
4. Laidback Laminate
Laminate flooring offers another low-maintenance and easy-to-keep clean option. This basement is the ideal setup for movie night or an all-day video game tournament.
A non-carpet flooring option will make drying up sticky soft drink spills or sweep up popcorn crumbs quickly. A warm neutral tone for the floor offers a nice contrast to the white walls and black leather couch while bringing cheery brightness to this space.
5. Warm and Cozy Carpet
To truly warm up your basement, select a thick shag carpet. With the addition of a few plush sofas and chairs in front of the fireplace, this basement will offer the perfect place to curl up on a cold winter's night. The section that features hard floors provides the ideal spot for a bar, dining table, or arts-and-craft space. Or leave it empty and use it as a dance floor!
6. Trendy Tile
A tile floor brings a trendy touch to this modern basement. The room's color palette is warm and inviting, and the patterned tile fits the style perfectly. With both a large bar and a dining table, this room is sure to be filled with plenty of food and drinks, making tile a far more practical choice than carpet.
Always consider the main purpose and ways you plan to use the room when deciding on flooring options.
7. Retro Rug
Style matters when designing your home, and that extends to the basement, too. This room would be just as functional with a plain carpet, but opting for a retro patterned rug gives it personality. Whatever your tastes or design aesthetic, don't pass up the opportunity to carry that vibe through every floor in your home.
8. Detailed Design
This basement is all decked out and ready to entertain! If you've got the space, maximize the use of your basement by outfitting it for multiple uses. A large sectional provides comfy seating for the whole family. Both a pool table and a foosball table provide lots of fun. And a basement bar fully stocked with drinks and snacks offers convenience for everyone.
Opting for the same carpet throughout ties the whole space together and creates a cozy and cohesive feeling despite the separate sections. The carpet's dark pattern gives this room a designer look while also helping to hide any party spills.
9. Classic Hardwood
Hardwood floors are a classic and popular choice in many homes. If you have hardwood throughout your house, you can always choose it for your basement, too! By opting for the same flooring here as on the levels, you may even forget that you're underground. Be aware, however, that basements are sometimes prone to flooding or moisture accumulation. Hardwood floors are expensive to repair or replace, so you might want to opt for something else if your basement is in any danger of water damage.
10. Faux Wood
For the hardwood look without the expensive price tag, consider wood-look vinyl plank or laminate flooring instead. Designing and decorating a home just how you want it can be costly, and you might not have saved much in the budget for your basement. That doesn't mean you have to sacrifice the look you want, though.
Both vinyl plank and laminate flooring are available in styles that mimic hardwood at a fraction of the cost. The faux wood options are also waterproof and easier to maintain than hardwood, making them ideal for a basement.
11. Clever Combo
A basement intended for multiple uses might just need multiple types of flooring. Carpet is the ideal choice for creating a warm and cozy corner for a children's play area or second living room. Faux hardwood is ideal for an office, hobby space, or eating area.
Consider all the ways you want to use your basement, and then pick the flooring that fits your needs best. When mixing and matching flooring, opting for neutrals will ensure that nothing clashes and make designing such a large and varied space easier.
In Closing
Basements provide unlimited possibilities to any home. You can choose to design and use your basement any way you want--and possibly in many different ways. However, the flooring you choose can make all the difference in getting the maximum benefit and enjoyment from the space.
From cozy carpets to practical laminate or tile, you have many options when it comes to selecting the flooring for your basement. Hopefully, these 11 ideas have inspired you to help you create your dream basement. For even more basement design inspiration and tips, check out these other articles:
What’s the brand and color of the carpet in number 8??