Empty basement conversion: a space that multitasks
In this project we were asked to transform a small (600 sq ft) empty basement into a rental studio that could double as a parents suite. The space needed to be reconfigured to include quite a few things: a bedroom, bathroom with shower (instead of existing powder room), full kitchen, and a living space. One of the challenges in this type of project is to come up with a smart layout that would work within the given footage, accommodate all the needs and wants, and make most use of the existing space. On one hand, the space needed to be practical and easy to upkeep, on the other hand, be comfortable enough for parents (who love to cook) when they come to visit.
As our clients faced a number of challenges they reached out to us, for example, they did not want the bedroom to be right by the kitchen but could come up with a layout that would work and needed help navigating the material world as well to choose practical finishes that would also be “budget”.
Taking into account some of the homes’ existing features (the former living room had a brick fireplace), we came up with an idea of practical yet comfortable urban dwelling. We turned the former living room into a full bedroom that could accommodate free standing wardrobes, thus separating it from the kitchen; designed and fit a full kitchen that has all the necessities like plenty of storage and space for full size appliances (we managed to add a dishwasher and trash pullouts that our clients didn’t think would fit) and has space for a free standing dining table; allocated space for a small but functional living room; reconfigured the existing powder room and turned it into a bathroom with shower (by removing a few walls and closing off an extra exterior door).
The finishes for the project were chosen based on their practicality and durability. We opted for large format (24x48) floor tile that is easy to clean and added heated flooring for extra comfort; dark grey flat panel kitchen cabinets, grey quartz countertops, and brick tile backsplash will help hide any stains or marks and are easy to maintain. Light paint on the walls helped with overall “brightness“ of the space and a few pops of teal brought a fun element to this modern basement.