If you are interested in increasing your living, perhaps it is about time to consider renovating your basement. Although a basement bathroom renovation offers many challenges, good planning can help overcome these challenges. Regardless whether you reside in a home that was constructed over the last 10 years, such that your basement is not well designed for a potential house remodel.

The above should not be a setback as long as you know how to deal with the situation. Many of the basement home remodels involve fitting a new bathroom or remodeling an existing bathroom in order to transform the basement into an aesthetically pleasing and functional living space.

1.    The basement bathroom

An unfinished basement offers an ideal place to fix an extra bathroom in the house. Adding a new bathroom can offer a lot of convenience to a large family or a home that receives stay over guests regularly. Furthermore, a bathroom basement can increase the house's value, which is particularly essential if you plan to sell your home in the future.

Moreover, a basement bathroom offers the homeowner the freedom of constructing either a small or big bathroom, as well as a layout that fits your needs without experiencing many constraints. A basement bathroom also comes handy if you are planning to have a babysitter, long-term guests or to rent out the basement.

2.    Basement bathroom ideas

It is important to keep your kids in mind and construct a step tool that will allow the young ones to reach the sink. Furthermore, plan for perfect lighting that have waterproof lenses. Ceiling lights before a wall-size mirror can help illuminate the vanity unit and ensure ambient lighting. It is equally important to choose water-resistant materials, such as stone tiles for the walls and floor because they are water-resistant, durable and effective to clean.

Moreover, a large mirror in the basement bathroom gives the impression of a much deeper and bigger bathroom. The proper use of colors can also help enlarge the space, with checkerboard tiles that have two closely related colors covering the floor and walls helping to create a much larger space. Solid colors and lack of patterns can also help.   

3.    Construction requirements

There are many requirements when it comes to constructing a basement bathroom. Running water, and heating supply in the bathroom is an important requirement, when constructing a basement bathroom. As a result of the basement being located below ground level, special attention needs to be paid to humidity control, moisture content and waterproofing.

Water or moisture that is seeping through the slab or foundation needs to be stopped. Find the source to ensure a proper fix and avoid covering the problem because this could translate to soggy, moldy insulation. Fixing moisture resistant drywalls around the bathroom and a waterproofing membrane inside the shower area can help reduce the moisture content. Moreover, good quality insulation outside the basement bathroom wall can help reduce the moisture content.

4.    Precautionary measures

Basement remodel may involve removing sections of the connecting waste lines and concrete slabs for the tub or shower and toilet. The ability to connect these lines depends on how deep the waste lines get below the surface. A good slope along the line is required to allow waste to exit by gravity. If your house does not have a fall, a sewage ejection pump may be required to drain the waste.

Furthermore, a leak-free system within the concrete floor, proper vent and a sealed vapor barrier around the bathroom outside wall can help keep the moisture away. If you reside in an earthquake prone area, it is important to have the basement bolted down the foundation and a shear wall installed at the pony wall.

5.    Eco-friendly bathroom

Basement bathrooms can consume a lot of water and electricity. Therefore, it is advisable to consider constructing an eco-friendly basement bathroom. Energy-saving LED strip lighting behind the mirror comes handy in conserving electricity. Furthermore, healthy walls, such as non-toxic clay plasters, offer a better alternative to painted walls. Moreover, energy efficient fans can help remove excess humidity and reduce the chances of mold growth in the bathroom while using minimal heating and maximum insulation.     

6.    Options & extras

A basement bathroom allows you to customize the bathroom to a design that is right for you. There are several options and extras you may consider fitting in your basement bathroom. Because the basement is constructed using concrete floors, it is a cooler space to be in. Therefore, an electric heated floor can provide added comfort in the basement bathroom.

Furthermore, a 3-piece basement bathroom that features a basement shower/soaker tub, a pedestal sink/vanity and toilet is a great option. If you have a bigger budget and space, a bigger 4-piece basement bathroom offers a better option. You can pamper yourself with a luxurious, spa-like bathroom.