The fact that homes in San Francisco are expensive is about as true as the sky being blue. With that being said, if you’re one of the lucky homeowners in the city, you’re probably aware of the fact that any and all properly done renovations will only cause the value of your home to increase.
If you’re considering selling your home, whether to move away, downsize, or for other reasons, there are a few renovation ideas that are going to be more lucrative than others. One of the biggest you can do, if you have the space, is to upgrade your basement.
There are a few ideas and options for doing so. Depending on your budget, the basement’s layout, and the amount of time you can spend on the project, we have some ideas for you.
Table of Contents
Accessory Dwelling Unit
Living in San Francisco poses a lot of challenges, and one of the biggest is housing.
By transforming your basement into an accessory dwelling unit, or basically its own miniature, separate apartment, you’re essentially creating an entire extra space that you (or a future homeowner) can use as a spot for long-term guests, a private spot for older family members who can no longer live on their own, a vacation rental, or even for long term tenants.
With an ADU, be sure to include a bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom. Even just a studio-type space would work fine. This can (and will) increase the value of your home significantly and help you sell your home fast in San Francisco
Additional Living Room
If you grew up in a big family, then you’re probably well aware of how frustrating it is to have to share a living room space. Between someone wanting to watch a movie and someone else wants to watch the newest episode of their favorite show, things can get quite frustrating.
If you have a basement, you can easily renovate it to become an additional living room. Start by making sure the flooring is in check and that the walls are a nice cozy color. Then, update the lighting to be adjustable, especially if there aren’t many windows for natural light.
Finally, install some cozy furniture, an entertainment system, and decorations to finish off the space.
Simple Bedroom
If the thought of totally converting your space into an ADU didn’t sound all that appealing, you could also go the route of just transforming it into a bedroom. Not only will you be able to add an additional space for guests or family, but you don’t have to go through all of the hassles that sometimes come alongside accessory dwelling units.
With a bedroom, you’ll want to make sure that the basement has a door for privacy. Place a bed, a nightstand, some lighting, a dresser, and some decorations, and you’ll be good to go! Bedrooms are usually equipped with closets, but if this isn’t a possibility, make sure to provide other types of clothing storage options.
Entertainment Room
For those who want to get a bit more creative with how they use their extra basement space, an entertainment room is a great option. Entertainment can mean something different to everyone, and that’s why this can be a little bit more fun.
If you’re more into sports, gaming, television, and/or movies, designing the basement space to have a movie theater feel is an excellent option. Install a projector, some comfy chairs, and other furniture. If you’re more into having gatherings, you have a few options!
A wet bar, pool table, ping pong table, and some comfy furniture are a great start. Regardless of what your definition of entertainment is, there are many options to get the job done!
Home Gym
During the heart of the pandemic, when most gyms were completely shut down, people turned to their own homes to get their workouts in. Since then, the idea has stuck, and having a home gym is now one of the fastest ways to sell a house. When converting a basement into a home gym, you’ll want to assess the flooring situation first.
Since people tend to sweat and carry around water bottles/sports drinks, a carpet might not be the best idea. Instead, opt for something a little more durable such as laminate or vinyl. Then, choose some workout equipment to fill the room with. Make sure to leave some space for things like yoga and stretching.
If you have a basement that could use some updating, there are quite a few ways to proceed with updates that are guaranteed to increase the value of your home. Depending on the layout, your budget, and what suits your needs, you can’t go wrong with any of the options above. Do some thinking, assess your space, and choose a renovation style that you’re going to be ultimately happy with.
