Favorite Features In My Basement Renovation

When I first decided to tackle my basement renovation, I had a vision of creating a space that was both functional and stylish, but I knew it wouldn’t be an easy feat. With a little creativity, a lot of elbow grease, and a handful of DIY skills, I set out to completely transform my basement into a welcoming retreat. From refinishing my old cabinets to building a custom bar out of reclaimed materials, to pouring my own concrete countertops, every step of the process was a mix of trial, error, and triumph. I replaced a tired drop-down ceiling, laid down new flooring, and added modern touches like sleek trim and faux brick panels to bring everything together. In this post, I’m featuring a couple of my favorite elements!

Glass Tile Backsplash

When I was planning our basement renovation, my husband asked for a mirror backsplash, similar to what you’d see in bars. I was hesitant at first, but I eventually agreed and started searching for the perfect balance. After much searching, I found these gorgeous antique 8″ tiles from Floor & Decor. They were definitely a splurge for the space, but I’m so glad I went for it — they’re absolutely beautiful!

Replacing My Drop-Down Ceiling

While all of these projects have contributed to transforming the space, I feel like the ceiling change was one of the most impactful! I had initially planned to remove the entire drop ceiling, but this quick and easy solution turned out to be a great alternative. The coffered ceiling adds such an elegant touch. I was concerned that the black color might make the ceiling feel lower, but the coffered design actually makes the room feel taller!

Faux Brick Panels

These faux brick panels really brought a lot of character to the space. While the panels are designed to fit together seamlessly without the need for the “cookie cutter” method I used, I wanted to make them look as realistic as possible. To achieve that, I filled all the seams and gaps with sanded grout, giving the brick an aged, overfilled antique look.

Check out my full blog post on this process here

Check out a video on this process over on Instagram here

New Furniture

Even though the bar area was going to be one of the main hangout spots, I knew this living room area would also be used. I wanted a modern couch that was also comfortable to not only hang out on but curl up and watch a good movie. I got this couch from Valencia Theater Seating called the Andria Leather Reclining Sectional Sofa in Cognac and I am IN LOVE! The leather on this couch is so incredibly soft, I can’t even describe it. We love this couch, and the dogs instantly fell in love too.

Check out a video showing my new couch here!