Basement

Hi all,
Crazy weather left us with another flooded basement. We finally Putin a sump pump. So now looking for ideas what to do with basement. All rugs gone, floor down to bare concrete. Ceilings unfinished because rodents were up there. We have a heat pump and electric baseboards but how to add some aesthetic to forlorn rooms. Not looking to “finish” space just make it a little more liveable. Ideas? Thanks?

Hammocks.
Daylight spectrum lights.
Moringa plants.
Shelves,one jar deep,for ferments and canning jars.
A hot tub.
White washed ceilings.
A diy box fan air filter.
A drafting table.
A piano, no too heavy, a electric organ.
A diy coolbot powered walk in cooler.




very small rocks...

You didn't mention what the walls are.

If they are cement block, you can get mortar mix (not cement mix that has gravel in it). Then you can parge the inside of the walls, just like is done to the outside of the walls.  Once dry, paint it with white paint for a more expansive look to the room, or whatever other colors you like. Then your walls will have a nice finished colorful look to them. Decorate according to the new look, instead of just cement block grey. A few higher quality artificial plants, or grow lights and real plants, rugs and furniture that don't tend to hold moisture or humidity, and you're on your way to a nice rec. room or bedroom or kids' playroom or even use part of it as early spring plant starter room (as we do).

One suggestion is that if the space and walls are really dry before you "plaster" moisten the cement block before parging. If the walls are too dry before applying the mortar, it might dry too fast and not stick. If it's really dry, get a spray bottle and spray the drying mortar a bit as it dries so it doesn't cure too quick.

+1 on William's suggestions.

If the basement space is (I hope) a healthy and dry air space that's been purged of rodent and mold leftovers from the flood, all things are possible.

Empty concrete basements can be amazing in reflecting and concentrating sound from acoustic instruments and voices.

Creative lighting changes everything. And you can create a new space with creative lighting as a regular game through the day. The whole film industry is based on turning a physical space into a psychological space through creative lighting.

Also, there was a phase of "industrial chic" during which empty warehouses were desirable as Bohemian living spaces, usually with a clawfoot tub as the centrepiece. French Second New Wave cinema, Jean-Jacques Beineix "Diva."

I often covet the basements I see on homesteading Youtube channels but then I remember I have been in your situation in more than one home. It is a real challenge to fix. I opted to leave one basement bare as it was a  rented house and the water/moisture caused the main floor carpet pads to mold. I pulled the carpets to dry on the fence which ticked off the landlord. It was a beaver dam that directed the stream into the basement that time.  I had my office in the basement complete with digitizing table, drafting table and computers. I had hung cords from rafters and all furniture was propped up on cinder blocks but the water was much deeper. And the many mice I shared space with had left the building til things were dried out. We were told it could not be fixed. So we moved. The next one was a finished basement. A crack in the corner of the egress window allowed the water in. Sheetrock and flooring destroyed. I opted to replace the sheetrock once the crack was grouted and a better French drain was built but i just stuck with painting a rubberized cement paint on the floor and added colorful rugs. I agree that leaving things less finished but painted makes the repairs easy and being able to see the issue faster if there is a next time. Anything that does not mold but likes humidity like the mentioned canning jar storage, plants etc. Would be great. I had a second woodstove down there so i could help things dry out faster than with fans alone. I have seen many people turn the cold corner of the basement into a separate cold storage room which would be a dream for me. Ventilation is key regardless so the moisture and mold can be managed. Mold is usually the issue I dealt with when i had a basement. I wouldnt sleep down there due to allergies but it was nice and cool in summer so keeping yours as a livable space is a great plan. Best wishes!

Peggy Rivera wrote:Hi all,
Crazy weather left us with another flooded basement. We finally Putin a sump pump. So now looking for ideas what to do with basement. All rugs gone, floor down to bare concrete. Ceilings unfinished because rodents were up there. We have a heat pump and electric baseboards but how to add some aesthetic to forlorn rooms. Not looking to “finish” space just make it a little more liveable. Ideas? Thanks?

After getting water in the basement of my old house, I tore up the rugs and put down a tile floor. If it floods again, the tile will be fine. Also, I added a dropped ceiling with removable panels to make it look nicer. Those things made the basement look nicer, and were rather inexpensive in terms of cost since I did the labor myself.

I am sorry to hear that a flood caused damage to your basement.

I have never had a basement though I have seen shows where the basements were fixed up to be very liveable.

What do you want to use your basement for?  Storage or an extra living space.

Bright paint on the walls can make a basement more attractive even if for storage.

Thank you so much for responses, don’t feel so alone anymore. Rubberized cement floor paint is a new idea. Gotta get a light for starting plants. Walls are some smelly old shellacked wood. Should go.

I built a semi-finished room in my basement. The floor starts with a "air gap underlayment" that comes in rolls and looks almost like lego board. This allows you to put vinyl tile on top but keeps it slightly elevated off the floor to prevent both moisture and heat conduction. Here's an example: https://www.menards.com/main/flooring-rugs/laminate-flooring/laminate-floor-installation-tools-maintenance/dmx-air-gap-44-1-2-flooring-underlayment-kit/113-15/p-1462541330534-c-6607.htm

Chose this stuff because we do get occasional seepage after hard rains.