What does it mean when the basement is no longer labeled as the basement? Home builders and designers are taking this once-neglected area and turning it into fanciful and functional space for a higher level of living. Welcome to the lower level.

The basement — at one time considered only suitable for storage, laundry and HVAC equipment — is being transformed into anything imaginable: a fancy media room, a lush entertainment center, a wine cellar or living space to accommodate multi-generational or multi-family living.

Fine Details

"It's important to plan ahead of time for what you want to include in the lower-level space," says custom home builder Hap Arnold, founder and principal of Superb Builders, based in Elkhorn, Wis. He recently completed lower levels in model homes for Hillcrest of Lake Geneva, a gated community in Lake Geneva, Wis., that will ultimately consist of 32 units on 23 forested acres. "The devil is always in the details," he says.
http://www.hillcrest-lakegeneva.com

And fine detail is what separates the plain old basement from a lower level of luxury, says René Pabon Jr., president of The Childs/Dreyfus Group, a design firm headquartered in Chicago. The Childs/Dreyfus Group was responsible for the interior merchandising concepts and selection of material and finishes for the Hillcrest of Lake Geneva model homes. http://www.childsdreyfus.com

Superb Builders demonstrated in its model homes that lower levels can be designed to accommodate many uses, including an ultimate recreation room; a dedicated theater or media room; a second living area complete with a full kitchen, full bathroom, one or two bedrooms, a family room and dining area; or even a combination of all three.

When planning lower-level space, builder Hap Arnold says the noise factor can be an important consideration. He prefers to use 58-inch drywall, which can help cut down on sound transmission to the upper level. Solid doors that close tightly can also be a helpful factor in controlling noise, especially for any extra bedrooms that may be included on the lower level, he says.

These details and finishing touches can put basements in a whole new light:

• Gaming Equipment. This area can include interactive entertainment elements such as a pool or bumper pool table; ping-pong table; foosball table; dart board; or multi-use table for card or board games.
• TV/Movie/Video Game lounging section. A flat-screen TV, surround-sound stereo system and video-game consoles (Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo Wii, Xbox, Sony PlayStation) are the components that liven up a lower-level space.
• Custom built-in cabinets and shelves for books, trophies or keepsakes
• Wood-burning or gas fireplace
• Bar area with stools. Bars can be equipped with a small sink, refrigerator and built-in shelving for beverage display.
• Wine and/or cigar room. This special room can be as large or compact as desired. It can contain custom-built wine racks and a table and chairs for wine-tasting sessions or to sit and enjoy a cigar with friends. An exterior-grade door can be used for this room for temperature control and to help keep smoke from entering the living area.
• Full Bathroom
• Guest Bedroom
• Traditional cold storage area that can be used for seasonal storage purposes. This extra space could also be built as a workshop.
• Walk-out sliding glass doors leading to an outdoor sitting area. Sliding glass doors are also good for letting the daylight in.
• Room for home mechanical units, including the furnace and hot water heater.
• Eight-foot or higher ceilings unencumbered by beams.
• Custom lighting for each lower-level section. Recessed lighting can be especially effective and has been identified by the NAHB as a trend of the homes of the future.
• Built-in seating areas to accommodate large family gatherings or other celebrations.
• Exercise room or workshop. Additional rooms in the lower level can be used for whatever purpose suits the family, whether it's a workshop filled with tools or an exercise room with the latest in exercise equipment.