A Basement Remodel Sets the Stage for Flexible Play

Builder-designer David Amundson had a very special request from a Minnesota couple with two children: no more fixed furniture placement at the walk-out basement, please. Sofas, ottomans and storage options required to shape transition and shift from 1 space to another effortlessly. “My clients wanted to be able to push everything readily out of the way so they can make room for whatever play could happen,” says Amundson. The homeowners wanted the basement to be open and light filled, with designated areas for crafts, play, dining and entertainment. The outcome is the addition of 800 square feet of living area that’s versatile, vibrant and bright — and used by both children and adults.

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The clients picked the Ligne Roset Togo couches and ottoman due to their iconic layout and movability; the children can shift the seats according to their play and television-viewing requirements.

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Amundson abandoned the east side of the basement open so that no one would feel restricted by furniture placement. The distance promotes imaginative, unobstructed play. White walls signify plenty of light brought in by large windows, which makes the space feel especially big and bright.

“The most frequent reaction that the homeowners buy is that it’s a basement that does not possess that dungeon texture to it,” says Amundson.

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The homeowners chose a neutral colour palette of gray, blue and forest green. The colours are complicated enough for the adults but can also hide spills, messes and crayon marks.

Green storage drawers beneath the banquette work difficult for the whole family.

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“The movable drawers, painted in Benjamin Moore’s blue spruce, are unique and fun. Kids tend to be very mobile, so instead of carry an armful of toys from 1 end of the space to another, they can just roll up the storage container to their play area, dump everything in and roll it back to the drawer nook, and voilà — cleanup is completed,” says Amundson.

Media storage system: custom built, cherry spot, DuraSupreme

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There are two workstations in the craft area, marked with counter area that wraps around two partitions. Wall area is used for artwork display, storage and an accessible wrapping paper station.

Casters about the island make it to be moved directly next to the countertops or put in the middle of the craft room. The island’s stainless steel top makes cleaning up after finger painting and cutting a breeze.

Wall paint: Cloud White, Benjamin Moore; staircase legs and base paint: Fresh Olive, Benjamin Moore

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The floor is really a remnant of the basement. The floor sustains ping-pong matches, trains, roller-skating and other play activities; it had been stained a warmer brown colour and sealed in expectation of daily wear and tear.

Pendant: Classique Round by Stonegate, Lumens

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The kitchenette enables the family members and their houseguests to play and eat all in precisely the exact same place. The whole basement is a distance that both adults and children can control and maximize.

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The household can move the seats, rearrange furniture, and get a drink close by, do crafts and have a bathroom break — all without needing to go upstairs.

More:
More Living Room: Making Room for Family

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