Pro Tips for Warming Up Your Basement Remodel

Do you avoid your home’s basement because it’s cold, dark, and uninviting? If you don’t have a fully finished basement space to enjoy, it’s normal to focus on other places in your home before fixing up the basement. However, as interior designer and founder of the DIY blog Nest Out West Cait Pappas discovered, updating the basement can truly maximize both your space and your family’s enjoyment.

When Cait, her husband, and her growing family moved into their ‘90s Colorado home in 2019, they had their work cut out for them. “We’ve done everything. It’s not at all what it was when we moved in in 2019,” Cait shared of the process. The family bought the house knowing it had great potential, but also required a lot of updating. The Pappas family started with the floors and worked their way throughout the house, transforming it into a bright, stylish, and modern home for an active family—until they hit the basement.

Prior to their updates, the basement was dark and carpeted, and their cat had been using it as a bathroom during stressful construction and remodeling. “We wanted to make a space for both kids and adults,” Cait explained of her initial design plans. To do this, they split the basement into different zones — one designed for busy toddlers and their toys, and another for adults to kick back and relax while keeping an eye on the kids. One key feature of the “adult” space was a fireplace, and the Pappas family quickly found that installing an electric fireplace (the SimpliFire by Heat & Glo 50" Allusion Platinum, to be exact) warmed up the space and made it a place they wanted to hang out.

“It was very bland down here,” Cait shared of the space pre-makeover. Adding a fireplace to the “adult” area was a no-brainer; the family has two units in their main floor, so she knew a SimpliFire by Heat & Glo electric fireplace would be the perfect centerpiece for that zone, and its flexible heating capabilities were an added perk.

“When I'm designing a living area, I like there to be a focal point,” she added. She chose the Allusion Platinum model because of its sleek, minimal style and chose a combination of white rocks and logs for a custom look. The unit, which was installed into a bump-out, is flanked by a painted bookshelf for books and decor, while a large area rug, armchairs, and cozy blankets add extra texture and warmth. A mantel over the fireplace and a wall-mounted TV make it feel even more homey and inviting; it’s a spot you want to curl up in and watch a movie, read a book, or snuggle with your family.

If you’re considering remodeling or finishing your own basement space and want to mimic Cait’s comfortable, family-friendly but stylish look, she has some helpful advice to share. “Definitely plan out how you want to use each space,” she explained. “When you’re designing an empty canvas, you can get distracted by the cool things to put into it and the function gets pushed to the wayside.” Consider the potential of the space but make sure to be realistic about how you’ll use it both today and in the future. “I always talk about backwards planning: What’s the end goal and how do we get to it?”

According to Cait, when working with a large space it’s essential to pay attention to measurements and proportions and watch out for outlet access. While the Pappas family’s fireplace installation went smoothly, one thing Cait noted was that she’d be more strategic about electric outlets in the future. “One thing we would do differently is the bump out that we framed and built this into is covering two wall outlets, so if you’re going to pull electricity and strategically place it, do it at the beginning of the process,” she explained.

Adding an electric fireplace to the basement didn’t just make the space feel cozy and comfortable; it gave them increased square footage in their home to enjoy. “We’ve been running the fireplace even on hot days because our basement is so cold,” Cait shared. “We are in the basement every day now — for two years, we never came down here other than to store things.” With engineered hardwood floors, an electric fireplace, and special zones for both kids and adults to play and relax, the Pappas basement is a cozy spot for fun and family time. “It makes the basement an enjoyable place to be.”

Inspired by Cait’s basement update? Our network of fireplace pros are here to help you find the perfect fireplace for your space and aesthetic. Request a consultation today to get started on your project.