When it comes to our homes, we rarely need more space; we just need to put the space we have to better use. Oftentimes, the basement gets overlooked as a viable option for living and entertaining, but when it’s done right, it can rival the upper floors in terms of style and function. This was the challenge presented by our long-time clients, who had already finished the upper floors of their home and were ready to tackle the lower level, with high hopes and even higher standards.
One of my objectives as a designer is to always accentuate the positive, and in that regard, this unfinished basement had a lot to offer. It was bright, open and airy – qualities that are hard to come by in a below-grade space – with plenty of natural light and great views through the walk-out. We designed a fully self-sufficient, multi-purpose area for entertaining and lounging, with aesthetic appeal and comfort to boot.
Zoned-out
When working with a vast, open area, I start by dividing the space into “zones.” Yes, this seems contradictory to the open-concept trend that’s gained so much traction in the design world, however, defining different functional areas gives them purpose within the broader context of the space, and will help to guide the overall floorplan. And yes, there’s a way to divide and conquer, without compromising the open concept aesthetic.
I start the process by identifying my clients’ functional needs for the space. In this case, entertaining was key. Thus, the space needed to accommodate a lounge area with a custom espresso bar where the homeowners and their guests could showcase their top-notch barista skills, and a full kitchen with a central island for food prep, serving and gathering. Of course, storage was an integral part of the plan as well.
Once we identified our clients’ wish list, we were then able to determine what furniture and accessories were required to fulfil those functions.
Pro-tip
To preserve natural light and views in an open-concept area, leave sightlines open by employing low-profile furniture, leggy “see-through” silhouettes, and glass and reflective materials, which have less visual weight than solid pieces.
Defining moments
A common challenge with open-concept floorplans is that furniture can float aimlessly. Once you’ve identified each functional zone in the space, define it with its own dedicated furniture, lighting and an area rug, almost as if it were a room of its own. These staple elements frame each zone and allow it to stand on its own – no walls required!
Entertaining thoughts
The kitchen area is functional and fun, complete with concealed integrated appliances and, at the far end of the island, a beautiful built-in wine fridge, bar area and game zone. With its separate entrance and a full bathroom, this basement acts as a self-sufficient entertaining area, completely separate from the upper level.
In the lounging area, we incorporated extra-deep seating, swivel chairs and additional drink tables. A multi-purpose room rounds out the space, acting as an office during the week and doubling as a gaming room on weekends. The family’s storage needs were met via stylish and curated cabinetry. A fireplace gives this basement a luxurious living room feel, despite being below grade.
Pleasing palette
The right colour palette goes a long way in both an open-concept area and a basement for successful results. Using a continuous colour scheme helped to blur the boundaries between the various zones in the space, resulting in a seamless, harmonious look throughout. Light, neutral and subtle hues are warm and earthy, accented by muted golds and complementary hints of blue.
Something to celebrate
Our inspiration was to make the space feel like a luxury hotel with a gorgeous lounging area and multiple entertainment zones. Knowing the clients’ love of entertaining, we created a custom space that is anything but a typical basement, one that our clients and their guests will remember and return to, and that’s really something to celebrate.