Posted on 09/11/2015

Budget DIY: 5 Ways to Upgrade an Unfinished Basement

2 minute read

Finishing your entire basement can be expensive. The national average of finishing a basement, including wiring, drywall, flooring and plumbing comes to over $8,000, according to home contracting website RedBeacon. If you’re looking to enhance and utilize your unfinished basement, here are some ways to cut costs while adding value to your home.

Painted Exposed Ceilings

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Go for an industrial look by painting the unsightly underworkings of your upper floors. Not only is it lighter on the wallet than drywall, but it’s a great option for homeowners who love the industrial look. Check out this how-to for preparing to paint an exposed ceiling.

Painted Cinder Block Walls

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Nothing says “basement” more than cinder block walls. To lessen the look of institutionalized walls, you can paint blocks to look like stone or even brick. Here’s the how-to.

Pallet Wall

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Pinterest has proven that you can do just about with wood pallets. This DIY project can turn a plain wall into the focal point of your entire basement, and because a lot of home improvement stores give old pallets away for free, it’s an extremely cheap investment with maximum appeal.

Epoxy Floors

 

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Epoxy is a great option for basement flooring, because it provides a durable and waterproof finish. Available in a variety of colors and finishes, epoxy is a stylish DIY option for high-traffic basements.

Cover Up

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Older homes likely have unsightly support beams. Cover them up with some pine boards and add crown molding to add interest and elegance.

If you’re looking to finish your basement or invest in other large home improvement projects, download our free Rehab & Construction Guide for information on wrapping renovation costs into your mortgage.

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