09.30.21

Walk-out Basements Add Great Space and Creative Options

If you've ever marveled at a friend's lavish home theater and bar, wide-open rec room for the kids or secluded guest accommodations, you already know about the value and livability that well-furnished basements and walk-out basements can provide.

If you've ever marveled at a friend's lavish home theater and bar, wide-open rec room for the kids or secluded guest accommodations, you already know about the value and livability that well-furnished basements and walk-out basements can provide.

Riverchase Estates offers many choice homesites well-suited for tapping your new home's extra potential. While adding a basement will increase a home's cost, the benefits of the substantial additional space and functionality can be significant.The most popular form of basement throughout the Southeast is the walk-out design.

Homes with walk-out basements are built on a slope, with the front entrance and first floor on the upper level of the slope. In the rear of the home, the basement opens directly onto the backyard due to its lower level. This arrangement allows for a separate basement entrance to the outdoors plus full windows for abundant natural light.

Walk-out basements with exterior doors and windows are ideal for basement-level bedrooms and even separate living quarters for family members or guests. People using these walk-out living areas will enjoy being able to come and go without disturbing other members of the household.

Basement benefits

Well designed basements provide dramatically more space while working with the natural topography of the homesite. These basements add interior spaces that are both versatile and customizeable to needs for an extra bedroom, entertainment space, wine cellar, or perhaps a woodworking shop.

Basement foundations usually raise the rest of the home slightly, meaning that your upper floors will have a better view of your surrounding lawn and gardens.HomeGuide.com, an online service connecting building pros and customers, says that basements:

• Give strong structural support to buildings.

• Work well with houses built on slopes.

• Offer extra safety during severe storms.

• Stay cooler than upper floors in summer months.

• Provide easier access for utility work.

Popular ways to use your basement

How might you use this extra space? Custom Integrated Designs, Ltd., A Denver-area company that specializes in finishing basement areas, recently published its "Top 10 Basement Design Trends." The list includes a studio for musicians, a kitchenette, a man/woman cafe and a workout space.

You'll find many more ideas by visiting online resources such as Houzz.com and HGTV.com.

Houzz offers dozens of design ideas, including an extensive photo spread of Walk-Out Basement Ideas. HGTV's website includes a detailed planning guide for basements including numerous videos, such as "Million-Dollar Home Theater" and Old World Wine Cellar".

Your custom home builder will likely have many great designs and suggestions, too, plus important knowledge on how to take advantage of your chosen home design and home site for maximum impact.

Learn more about basement opportunities at Riverchase Estates

Talk with the Riverchase Estates sales team today about homesites that may accommodate basements and walk-out basements.