Plans are afoot to finish a basement and you are inundated with all sorts of unsolicited tips and advice from well-meaning friends. But have you given a thought to what you should avoid when finishing your basement? To make the final product a cozy and welcoming living space, here are some things you shouldn’t do:

Don’t be pressured into signing a contract hastily. Read all the fine print and understand what they stipulate before agreeing to the terms contained in the contract. Make sure that the contractor has worker’s compensation insurance for themselves and subcontractors he may hire. Injuries sustained while on the job will be your financial obligation if they don’t have insurance; this could also lead to lawsuits.

Don’t install the same kind of lighting as the main house. Typical lighting such as those upstairs will not be an appropriate choice to finish a basement. Consider that natural sunlight will be limited and the type of fixtures you choose will play a big part in the overall atmosphere of your basement. Fluorescent lighting as the overall light will give sufficient illumination and is energy-conservative. There should be a switch near the entrance door for this. Then for specific lighting, you can use task lights and accent lights to create focus.

Don’t hold back on the details. Little things make a big difference. Assigning the basement a motif and choosing décor and finishing touches revolving around it will give it a coordinated look. Strategic placement of photos and other memorabilia consistent with the theme can be a personal touch and can unleash the artist in you.

Don’t over-decorate your basement. Contrary to the decorating issue, putting too much stuff can create an overcrowded appearance and make the room look tacky. Precious space can be eaten up by useless thingamajigs and you end up having to navigate around what space is left.

To finish a basement and end up with an outstanding living space, avoid these common mistakes but keep your imagination and adventurous spirit alive.

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