On the hunt for basement remodel ideas? Get your wheels turning with these stunning spaces that are anything but an afterthought.

Basement Reading Nook
The space under your stairs has the potential to be more than just a dark and dusty closet. Transform the area into a cheery reading nook, like this example from @our.colonial.casa. Thoughtful details like the wall sconce, cozy linens and custom trim work complete the look of this truly special hideaway.

Basement Home Theater
Embrace the lack of natural light in your basement and create a home theater! This media room by @barcbybrettandali proves you can put your own spin on a media room by choosing the right furniture and accessories.
The boho rug, movie posters and leather theater chairs help the space flow with the rest of the house. Light or brightly colored basement walls can distract from the movie-viewing experience, so go with a dark color like Urbane Bronze by Sherwin-Williams used here.

Basement Bar
If you like to entertain, adding a downstairs bar is a game changer. In this beautiful basement bar by @blacksuburbanfarmhouse, a rugged accent wall helps define the bar area and creates a stunning backdrop for the open shelving.

Basement Play Room
A large open basement is the perfect space to create the ultimate playroom. Vanessa of @be.in.wonder.design designed this bright playroom with her kids’ interests in mind. The rock wall and climbing swing are the show-stoppers. But the space also has toy storage, an under-the-stairs reading house, and most importantly plenty of room to run around.

Basement Guest Space
With a basement space like this one by @katie_gelsheimer_home, your guests may never leave! A kitchenette and dining area lead into a welcoming guest bedroom via sliding barn doors.
Barn doors are a great choice to fit multiple rooms in a small area. They take up less space than swinging doors and provide architectural interest, as well as a fun pop of color.

Basement Lounge Area
To make a big impact in your basement, go black. Black walls, light floor and furniture and brass accents work together to create this striking basement lounge area by @bethfisherdesigns. A modern chandelier and the recessed lights keep the space from feeling too dark. It’s important to include plenty of lighting sources when using black paint.

Basement Family Room
This chic basement family room by @heyjerry_home features sleek mid-century furniture and gorgeous muted tones.
If you have exposed duct work or pipes in your basement, take a page from this example and paint them the same color as the ceiling and walls. This helps blend these elements into the rest of the space without adding a ceiling and losing height. Another great tip here is to use light, floor-length curtains to increase the perceived window area.

Basement Laundry Room
When you think of a basement laundry room, you might conjure up images of cobwebs and concrete flooring. But a basement laundry room actually can be the designer space of your dreams, like this one by @taybayyyyy.
For a similar look, start with bright white walls and light, patterned floor flooring. Then add unexpected finishes like rich dark cabinets and gold hardware.

Basement Craft Room
If you have a small or odd-shaped room in your basement, it might be the right spot for a craft room. All you need is a work surface and plenty of organized storage options.
This craft room by @backwoods_farmgirl makes good use of wall space with a large peg board and shelving. The exposed ceiling gives the space an industrial look, which works well in a creative space.

Basement Bathroom
We love the classic black and white color palette in this basement bathroom by @taybayyyyy. The white walls and shower tile brighten up the space, and the black flooring and vanity provide a clean, sharp contrast.
Another smart choice is the floor to ceiling glass shower wall, which opens up the small space and makes it feel bigger. Here’s how to plumb your basement bathroom.