A finished basement has endless potential. Whether you need a bedroom for visiting family, a full suite for potential rental income, or additional gathering space for friends, finishing your basement is a great way to add value to your home as well as functional square footage for the whole family.

Basements often have a bad reputation – notoriously dark and not the most desirable place to spend time – but not any longer! Brookfield Residential is proudly committed to building the best places to call home, including the basement. We ensure our basements can truly function to fit your family’s needs by incorporating windows and walkouts wherever possible and plenty of lighting to keep the space bright (at least when you’re not using your basement as a home theater).

If you’re debating whether or not a finished basement is worth it, let’s explore the benefits!

1. Utilize your home’s square footage to its full potential

Most homes with unfinished basements are allowing tons of square footage to go to waste. What might seem destined to only live as storage space could potentially be an area your friends and family could enjoy for years to come. Build that basement bar you’ve always talked about, create an incredible home theater perfect for snuggling up together for movie night, or enjoy more quality time with extended family by giving them a bedroom (or full suite) for them to stay in when visiting.

Whatever dream you have, a finished basement can be the perfect solution.

2. Increase your home’s energy efficiency

If you’ve ever spent time in an unfinished basement, you probably need a fan in the summer and a space heater in the winter to stay comfortable. A finished basement adds layers of insulation and drywall to help keep the temperature consistent and reduce the energy needed to heat or cool your home.

3. Added home value

Whether you’re thinking in terms of resale or potential equity you can draw upon yourself, having a finished basement increases your home’s value. According to some reports, a finished basement can provide an average of 70% return on investment. Potential buyers will recognize they have a move-in ready space they can enjoy right away or you’ve added equity to your home while giving yourself a space you can enjoy. It’s a win-win.

4. Additional storage and organization

Sure, you can use an unfinished basement for storage and organization, but having smart, dedicated storage solutions like cabinets or built-in shelving lets you store items safely and securely. Eliminate the precarious towers of boxes that you have to slide between and create storage that keeps things out of the way and look good while doing it.

5. Potential rental income

Depending on the layout of your space, finishing your basement to function as a full living suite that you could rent out would be an additional revenue source for your household. If you’re comfortable with long-term tenants, you could potentially have reliable monthly payments coming in. If your location attracts lots of tourists, using your basement as a short-term rental may be a great way to capitalize on those visitors. Just be sure it’s authorized by the city in which you live as well as the community to avoid any issues.

The Best Ways to Use a Finished Basement

A finished basement is like a blank canvas. The options for its use are almost endless and you can truly make a space perfectly suited to your family’s unique needs. Create a fun getaway for the adults complete with games, a lounge area, and a bar. Give the kids their own space to watch movies, build forts, and play. Whether it’s to work, play, or relax, your finished basement is the perfect spot to do it.

Here are a few of our favorite ways to use a finished basement.

1. Full guest suite

Carlisle 2 at Rockland Park in Calgary, AB

The Oak at Livingston in Calgary, AB

Wicklow at Seton in Calgary, AB

2. Home gym

Palermo at Rockland Park in Calgary, AB

3. Bar and lounge

Catania at Artesia at Heritage Pointe in Calgary, AB

Wellington 5 at Cranston’s Riverstone in Calgary, AB

Lavello 2 at Cranston’s Riverstone in Calgary, AB

Maranello at Cranston’s Riverstone in Calgary

4. Game room

Robson 26 at Livingston in Calgary, AB

Signature Four at Sterling Ranch in Denver, CO

5. Home theater

Ovation One in the Ovation Portfolio at Brighton Crossings in Brighton, CO

Villa 2 in the Villa Portfolio at Barefoot Lakes in Firestone, CO

6. Study area

Purcell 24 at Livingston in Calgary, AB

Hudson 24 at Rockland Park in Calgary, AB

7. Additional living area

Columbia 24 at Rockland Park in Calgary, AB

Wicklow at Rockland Park in Calgary, AB

Palermo at Rockland Park in Calgary, AB

8. Guest bedroom

York at Rockland Park in Calgary, AB

Columbia 24 at Rockland Park in Calgary, AB

9. Kid Space

Rundle 24 at Creekstone in Calgary, AB

Carlisle 2 at Chinook Gate in Airdrie, AB

Villa 2 in the Villa Portfolio at Barefoot Lakes in Firestone, CO