Posts tagged with "basement finishing"

Guidelines for Basement Finishing in Chicago

Basement finishes and renovations should not be a DIY project. Disastrous consequences like injuries and costly mistakes can happen. Hiring a contractor for basement finishing in Chicago is your first step for a well-designed and properly built additional living space. Certain issues and concerns in a basement improvement project can be addressed effectively by these experts.

Technical and Mechanical Issues

Plumbing work, electrical wiring, and protective framing are intricate jobs only professionals can successfully accomplish. Sinks or complete bathrooms may be installed. Recessed or artificial lighting is recommended, especially for basements lacking windows for natural illumination. Carpentry skills are needed to frame ceilings and walls, especially if posts, ventilation exhausts, or ducts are present. Continue reading

The Benefits of Working from Home

Today, being gainfully employed no longer means being confined to a cubicle. More and more people are working from home, either because they have a home-based business or their employers allow them to work out of the office a few days per week.

Goodbye to Commutes

Employees spend an average of 50 minutes per day just commuting to and from work. Work-from-home, meanwhile, only takes effort as simple as walking up to your laptop and turning it on. The time you save from commuting allows you to get more work done or be used as “me time.”

Hello to Family Time

Sure, work is important. Howe else will you pay for groceries, utility bills and tuition fees? Still, the most important thing in life is family, and working from home allows you to spend more time with your spouse and children.

Comfortable Space

Many a time, employees complain about how small their office cubicles are. When you’re at home, however, you need not worry about competing for that much-coveted floor space in the office.

You can work in your bedroom, den, or even have your basement completely remodeled to accommodate your new office space. Now, there should be no limits to the space you can use for your work. You can even customize your basement finishing by adding your own mini-pantry, so you won’t have to make multiple trips to the kitchen. Not only can you make your basement look better and functional, you can also increase your home’s value.

Transforming Your Basement

Basements are often used as storage for stuff that has not been used for years, or for home and garden tools, and similar things. With much imagination and creativity, however, your basement can be converted into something much more functional.

For example, you can transform your basement into a wine cellar. You would not need to add windows to your basement; a few shelves and wine racks may be all that’s necessary. Wine that is aged in your basement can taste just as great as those in renowned wine cellars anywhere as long as you simulate the same conditions.

You can also use your basement as a gym. With the right amount of space, you can bring in some key pieces gym equipment such as a treadmill. If you are working on a tighter budget, you can make use of simple equipment and gadgets such as pull-up bars, and some weights. The basement is also an ideal place for a workshop. You can bring your handyman tools and equipment into your basement, and with the appropriate power supply and safety features, work on creating something, or on a handicraft or hobby.

Your basement can also be transformed into a home office. If you have a home-based business, a basement’s location is ideal for providing the needed privacy for a workplace, and for allotting a professional space apart from the rest of the home.