Since 1992 Ed Case has remodeled 350+ basements in the Harrisburg PA region. Ed is an expert in basement conversion projects and high-end basement interior design. Ed regularly holds training classes designed to teach local home owners in the Harrisburg PA region how to remodel their own basements successfully!
Today I want to talk to you about creating a Basement Remodel Design and then turning that functional design into a workable Floor Plan. The floor plan for the basement remodeling project will serve a couple of purposes:
1.) It will serve as the blueprint for the actual construction process that you will be undertaking.
2.) A floor plan is required by most townships code offices in order for you to obtain your building permits to begin your job
3.) Once completed, your floor plan will serve as a guide for estimating and ordering building materials for your basement finishing project!
I use a very simple computer software program called 3-D Home architecture to put together my floor plans. But you can use any number of generic "home planning and design" software programs to assist you with this. I have found these software programs at all of the "Big-Box" retailers such as Staples, Office Depot, Office Max just to name a few!
More about how I actually sit at my computer and design basement floor plans in another article! Today I wanted to key-in on actually walking around your basement and putting a functional plan together based on the preexisting design elements that are present in all basements.
I'm talking mostly about the locations of the following common basement obstacles:
* Stairs * Overhead water and waste-line pipes
* Windows * Overhead duct-work
* Exterior doors * Water and Gas shut-off location access
* Furnaces * Waste water clean-out cap access
* Water heaters * Steel beams overhead
* Water Softener * Steel support columns!
* Sump pump pits * Electrical wiring in the road
* Electric Panels (Load center locations) * pre existing plumbing in the concrete floor
Given the natural landscape of most basements, you will have a host of design obstacles to design your finished basement around. That's what I want to briefly talk about today. If you can see your way clearly designing around these obstacles, you will more than half way to the finish-line when creating your finished basement floor plan.
Sounds like it might be easy, Huh? Well it is if you think creatively about each obstacle crossing your path. I have seen each of these obstacles a thousand times, and I still have to put on my thinking cap from time-to-time to design a creative and functional way around these design roadblocks!
By positioning the new basement wall around these "raod blocks" creatively, we will hide all of the "UGLY" eyesores throughout the basement. I could write for 2 hours here and would not even scatch the surface of the endless possibilities for designing my waqy around these road blocks!
More about actual design techniques in future articles here at EzineArticles.com!
Here's to Living "Down Under"!
Edward Case
For Design Ideas and other Basement finishing info visit: http://www.1basement.com
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- DIY Basement Finishing Projects
- Basement Finishing Projects With Waterproof Problems
- Basement Finishing Ideas For DIY Enthusiasts
- Home Building 101: Basement Finishing Ideas
- Basement Finishing Ideas - 3 Basement Tips
- How To Finish Out Your Basement
- Professional Home Improvement Services Offered by Vista Remodeling
- Basement Remodeling Cost of Project
Best Ways to Save Money with Roofing
By: Jeff Revior | 26/12/2009Fixing your roof can be really annoying if you don’t know what you are doing. If you are new to all of this figuring out you will need a hand starting out with all the basics that will guide you through the process.
DIY Bathroom Remodeling Projects
By: Gene B. Pineda | 26/12/2009A home is a big investment and keeping it updated, maintained and in good condition requires not only basic maintenance such as pressure washing and painting to protect the outside, it also requires home remodeling on the inside to address repairs and upgrades. Keeping your home well maintained and current with new décor and accessories benefits the homeowner by increasing the properties value as well as creating an aesthetically pleasing home.
The Fresh And Hospitable Experience Of Country Kitchen Décor
By: Douglas M. Parks | 26/12/2009A country theme is one of the most popular themes for kitchen décor, so whether you have just moved into a new home or wish to redecorate your kitchen, there is a lot of country kitchen décor on the market to select from. You should first decide whether or not you prefer your theme to be more specific, such as country apple, country cat, or farmhouse rooster, or whether you want to incorporate multiple subthemes into an over country kitchen theme.
Experienced Outdoor Décor Ideas
By: Floyd P. Dietz | 26/12/2009Creating outdoor spaces that are comfortable and inviting can be more difficult than some people imagine. It takes more than a few chairs and a table to create outdoor décor that makes you want to spend time in your garden. Make your outdoor space as inviting as your living room so that you always want to spend time in your garden. Think about what you want to do in your outdoor space and when it will be used and you will get an idea of what needs to be done for your outdoor décor.
Bathroom Remodeling Ideas: Hints For Success
By: Kenneth D. Tafolla | 26/12/2009Bathroom remodeling ideas can be simple or complex much like any other remodeling ideas such as basement or kitchen ideas. By remodeling your bathroom you can create a retreat where you can relax and unwind. When it comes to bathroom remodeling ideas, everything can be personalized from the sink and bathtub to the cabinets and floor.
Home Renovation Ideas for the New Year
By: Oswald Melman | 25/12/2009A new year is rolling around, and all throughout the nation home owners are thinking about what sorts of resolutions they will be implementing. Many new year’s resolutions revolve around personal and professional issues, yet a good deal also have to do with the condition in which a person’s house happens to be at present
Five Home Improvement Projects for a Master Bathroom
By: Oswald Melman | 25/12/2009Any realtor will tell you about the importance of keeping a master bathroom in excellent shape. Apart from the kitchen, it factors into a prospective home buyer’s decision more than any other place in the house. Besides that, it is the place you start your day every morning and is one of those spots in the house which can have a big impact on your psyche. Thus, it should be high up on the list of home improvement projects on your radar.
Don’t Let D.I.Y. Become D.I. Why Oh Why: Tips on Avoiding The Mistakes of Kitchen Renovation
By: Oswald Melman | 25/12/2009It’s tough to learn how to do something if you never give it a try, but the best way to learn this lesson certainly isn’t to be standing knee-deep in wreckage in what is supposed to be a beautiful new kitchen. While the scene isn’t always exactly that dramatic, rookie mistakes when it comes to home renovation are not a stretch of anyone’s imagination.
How to Get on the 1st Page of Google Fast!
By: Eddie Case | 31/08/2009 | SEOEver wonder how some people get there websites, blog sites, articles, videos, etc onto the first page of Google? It's not magic! There is a system! I can show you how to get most anything onto the 1st Page of Google very quickly! I can show you how to get 1 thing in particular onto the 1st Page of Google in a matter of just a few hours, and sometimes in less than 1 hour!
Finishing the Basement and How to Build the New Walls
By: Eddie Case | 25/08/2009 | RemodelingWhat are some Tricks and Tips for properly positioning the new basement walls that I will be building in the basement?
Basement Remodeling and How to Hire Subcontractors
By: Eddie Case | 25/08/2009 | RemodelingHow do I find the right subcontractors to help me finish certain phases of MY Basement Remodeling Project that I DO NOT want to tackle MYSELF?
DIY Basement Finishing Projects
By: Eddie Case | 25/08/2009 | RemodelingWhat phases of my D.I.Y. basement project should I NOT ATTEMPT MYSELF? (drywall, carpeting, some electric projects, some plumbing projects)
Basement Remodeling Project Building Materials
By: Eddie Case | 25/08/2009 | RemodelingWhat are the correct building materials that I should be ordering to begin MY new basement remodeling project?
Basement Remodeling Cost of Project
By: Eddie Case | 25/08/2009 | RemodelingHow much will my basement remodeling project cost me if I do most of the contracting work myself?
Basement Remodeling Materials to Purchase
By: Eddie Case | 25/08/2009 | RemodelingWhat are the correct building materials that I should be ordering to begin MY new basement remodeling project?