The upscale downstairs: Building a better basement

Home and Garden

The upscale downstairs: Building a better basement

Photos: A look at some modern variations on the home basement, Jan. 2013.

The open area of an unfinished basement can be transformed into multi-use spaces for relaxing and entertaining

Builders say it's more efficient to add walls, electrical lines, flooring, doors, windows, trims and even baths to basement areas while the house is still under construction.

The three-story townhouses at West Village in Smyrna feature basements that can be turned into an extra bedroom, home office or den.

One finished basement option at Heritage at Kennesaw is a wine room.

Stone accents, a bead board ceiling and wine storage are options for finishing out a basement.

One Atlanta area couple decked out their basement with a Tiki bar, using furniture, accessories and a color palette to play up the mid-century look in the decor.

This photo of a basement turned into a recreational room helps buyers visualize how they can finish out the available space.

An Ashton Woods home in Johns Creek features a daylight basement with an entertaining area and access to the back yard.

Space in an unfinished basement can be turned into a home theater or media room.

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The open area of an unfinished basement can be transformed into multi-use spaces for relaxing and entertaining

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