Basement Ideas – Creating an Art Studio

14 Jun Basement Ideas – Creating an Art Studio

You don’t need to rent a downtown loft to enjoy your very own art studio. Makers of all kinds can use studio basement ideas to create a personal and productive space that feels just as isolated or open as you want it to be.

Before you set up that easel in a cluttered storage room, consider these basement ideas for finishing an ideal studio space.

Finish the Space for Appropriate Atmosphere

While the industrial look might feel inspiring for some, it’s best to finish the basement if you are turning it into an art studio. A finished space can be heated and cooled more easily, with better humidity control. For visual art, you will also want white or light-colored surroundings to reflect light.

Some finished basement ideas for the artist:

• Remove or add walls. Do you prefer a cozy, intimate workspace or do you want to look out on open surroundings?
• Built-in shelving. This controls clutter so you can be in a clean space without it feeling sterile. Basement ideas for storage and decluttering include additional closets, storage desks, and built-in shelving to display your favorite books and objects.
• Flooring options. Finish the basement but leave the concrete floor to retain that studio loft feel. Concrete can be stained for color and protection as well. On the other hand, you might want wood or carpet to feel more at home.

Add Larger Windows

If your basement lacks windows or has egress windows that are too small for the space to feel truly comfortable, adding larger windows is an option. If necessary, excavation can help make your basement ideas more feasible. Digging out the basement can turn it into a garden-level apartment or a walkout basement.

Maximize Natural Light to the Basement

With a little creativity, real sunlight can fill your basement studio. In addition to adding large windows, you can install tubular skylights on the roof to send sunlight all the way down.

A larger renovation would be to open the basement up to the ground level more. Turn a closed doorway into an open staircase, and the basement will receive more natural light and feel less like a cave.

It’s also important to make the best of the available light. Include mirrors, light paint colors, and chrome and glass furniture in your basement ideas to develop an airy space with more light reflection and diffusion.

Custom Desk or Workspace

A carpenter can build custom work areas like built-in desks and countertops where you can stand and work. Think about whether you would prefer to face a wall, face an open room, or face an open window. If you like to meander to different seating and standing positions while creating, plan on building out multiple work areas with the right balance of separation and flow.

Make it Personal with Unique Basement Ideas

Finally, keep in mind that your basement ideas should not focus entirely on creating a giant blank canvas — this is a very personal space where you should feel comfortable.

If solid white walls and ceilings sound stifling, you can opt for bright hues of your favorite colors. Surround sound systems can be built in so you can play music for inspiration. If you want a wet bar, refrigerator, and full bathroom so you never have to leave the studio, go ahead and finish the basement as its own apartment.

In other words, be ready to incorporate your favorite studio basement ideas into the final product because what ultimately matters is that you feel comfortable and creative in the space. Contact Mcneil Construction for more guidance and ideas.