Before and After Envy Series: Basement Blues

Oil to Fireplace...

Welcome back to the final Before & After Envy series post for this month!

I've had so much fun sharing all of these talented home makeovers that I would like to extend an open invitation to any other readers and bloggers out there who would like to show off their renovations. The Before & After Envy series can be an ongoing series whenever new rooms and makeovers are available. Contact me if you're interested in joining the party. Because every home makeover deserves a little chance to be envied.

Today's post comes from my sister-in-law, Lisa, and my brother's basement renovation inspired by an energy bill crisis and developed into a gorgeous, comfortable family room.

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In February 2009, just months before our wedding, we asked ourselves the question: do we list the house we currently live in to find something we truly love or do we turn our house into the home of our dreams?

We quickly came to the conclusion that our smartest option was to tear our house apart and put it back together using the colors and materials that we loved. We started in one of the spare bedrooms, moved to the kitchen, tore apart the bathroom, and ended our journey in the 2nd spare bedroom just 4 months after starting on this mission.

We were new parents in November of 2010 when we received a letter in the mail from our oil company. Our monthly heating bill was going to double due to the oil spill in the gulf. That information was a lot to swallow with a 5-month old.

The oil tank took up space and money. It had to go!

It didn’t stop there though.

Not only was our heating bill going to double, which was on a budget plan and paid throughout the summer, but they predicted it to go up again in the next few months.

Do we adjust our expenses and give the oil company what they want? No.

After researching the cost of a gas furnace we decided to make the switch. We set out on a new mission to turn our 1980’s style bachelor pad into a family room and save ourselves over $200 a month in the process.

We gave ourselves 6 weeks to tear our basement down to the studs in the walls, the wires in the ceilings, and the concrete on the floor.

Before: The Bachelor Basement

Our basement was dark and dreary with bachelor pad furniture. We had old, smelly and matted down carpet. Paneling lined the walls. The ceiling tiles drooped from the ceiling grid that held them. There was an oversized pool table, a mish mash of furniture, a giant oil tank, and no room to enjoy what space we had.

How Did We Do It?

1. We switched our furnace from oil to gas and tore out our oil tank, creating a much larger space for us to work with.

2. We tore down all of the paneling from the walls.

3.We put insulation in and put the drywall up. There was a lot of spackling and sanding involved!

4. We built a fireplace enclosure to install an electric fireplace and hold a large flat screen TV.

5. We installed cabinets, a counter top, a bar sink, a dishwasher, a refrigerator, and a beer fridge to create a kitchenette.

6. We painted the walls. We installed a new ceiling grid, along with new ceiling tiles.

7. It was then time for carpet! Lowes installed the carpet throughout the entire family room and the steps leading to our main floor. Carpet installation was the only part of the process we did not do ourselves.

8. Last but not least, my favorite part of the process, shopping for the furniture and décor!

After: Our New Family Room

We completely transformed our basement from dark and dreary to light and spacious. We have a space for watching TV, movies, and the big football game. We have the fireplace to keep us warm when the winter months approach.

But, there is also a space for snacks and drinks. With the kitchenette, we are able to entertain friends and family. When our kids get a little older, they will be able to enjoy this space with their friends as well!

Lisa works in Marketing and Business Development for a local Credit Union and has been a huge Credit Union advocate for the last 10 years. She has two sons ages 3 years and 1 year. Lisa is also an Independent Consultant for Thirty-One Gifts (www.mythirtyone.com/Barshy), teaches Couponing Classes, and enjoys spending quality time with her family.

Linking at:
Natasha in Oz, Pin It Monday Hop, DIY Sunday Showcase, Give Me the Goods, I Gotta Try That, Wildly Original Link Party, Anything Blue Friday, Flaunt It Friday,