Basement Renovation Update: Painting and Plumbing

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It’s been two months since my last basement renovation update, so I’m taking you back downstairs to show you the progress that I’ve made on this renovation.

Since we last checked in, the space has been painted and the plumber has worked his magic to give me a functioning washer and dryer again along with two sinks.

Let me show you the progress.

Basement Renovation: Painting

Friends, the painting is FINISHED!!

Can you even believe the difference? (Check out the before photos here if you need a reminder.) Overall, it’s a whole new space and I couldn’t be more pleased.

Basement Renovation Update: Painting and Plumbing #basement #makeover #renovation #studio

Basement Renovation Update: Painting and Plumbing #basement #makeover #renovation #studio

Because the scope of this project had a massive amount of prep work, I did hire it out to local painters. They did an amazing job. What took them a couple of weeks to complete would have taken me months.

Many of you were asking about painting the paneling. The painters did give the paneling a coat of primer (details below) before it was painted.

Wondering about the flooring? I shared all the details in this post HERE.

Basement Renovation Update: Painting and Plumbing #basement #makeover #renovation #studio

Here is the breakdown of the paint:

I realize that white is a bit “boring” but I did it with intention. First, I wanted to brighten up this space as much as possible. Second, since this is going to function as my art studio, I suspect that in time it will be filled with art, paint, and other creative endeavors. I wanted those things to shine and knew that white would be the perfect backdrop.

Mission accomplished.

Basement Renovation Update: Painting and Plumbing #basement #makeover #renovation #studio

I couldn’t be more pleased with the results. It’s amazing what paint can do. This space went from dated, dark, orange, and dirty to clean, fresh, bright, and light!

Basement Renovation: Plumbing

As thrilled as I was to see the space painted, I was equally excited to get the plumber here. Between the floors and painting, I went about 2 months without a washer and dryer.

Basement Renovation Update: Painting and Plumbing #basement #makeover #renovation #studio

The plumber reworked and repaired old water lines, installed a new laundry sink, and reinstalled my washer and dryer. Woot! Woot!

If you remember from the “before,” there used to be a built-in bar with a sink in my basement. I decided to take advantage of that area and turn it all into a studio sink. I started with this great vintage cabinet that I found and had the plumber add this vessel sink and faucet to it. It’s already being put to use and it’s been so nice to have a sink for cleaning up paint and brushes as I create art in this space.

Basement Renovation Update: Painting and Plumbing #basement #makeover #renovation #studio

I will say that I’m not sure a vessel sink was the best choice. I found that splashing is more of an issue with a vessel sink which isn’t ideal for cleaning up heavily pigmented paints. I have a feeling that this back wall will eventually be speckled with paint splatters. A more standard drop-in sink might have been a better choice for my needs.

Either way, I’m thrilled to have sinks and functioning appliances again. So what’s next on the basement renovation to-do list?

What’s Next:

The next big task is storage and plenty of it.

I think it’s been three months since I’ve been able to park in my garage. That is because everything that was in the basement is being stored in the garage for the time being. This past week I went through these items and I spent time cleaning and organizing. I also packed a few of things up to donate. I made just enough space to move my car into the garage before a snowstorm blew into town!

However, the garage is still a crowded disaster area because of all the random junk that had been stored in the basement. While my basement space will primarily be a creative studio, I still need ample storage space for those random items that don’t have a home elsewhere. For me, this would be extra home decor, kitchen accessories (slow cookers, seasonal baking pans, etc.), photography props, and a few other odds and ends.

My plan is to do a mix of built-ins and furniture pieces to create storage areas. Here are some of the details:

Basement Renovation Update: Painting and Plumbing #basement #makeover #renovation #studio

In the photo above, I plan to build a closet in the little nook to the left. It’s the perfect space for a built-in closet and should be something I can build on my own.

Next to the sink (in the same photo), I’m going to use two of THESE cupboard cabinets. They will fit into this area perfectly. In fact, they are already here, set into place, and I’m LOVING them. (I just need to get them leveled and installed before I can use them.)

Basement Renovation Update: Painting and Plumbing #basement #makeover #renovation #studio

On this wall (pictured above) I’m going to install three of THESE lower cabinets and top them with wood countertops. I’ll then run at least one shelf above for added storage. I’d like to do two shelves, but the ceiling is particularly low here so I’ll have to wait until the cabinets are in to decide if I have room for a second shelf.

Basement Renovation Update: Painting and Plumbing #basement #makeover #renovation #studio

On this wall to the right of the door, I’m going to put a large vintage cabinet. I scored the perfect piece that will be ideal for the space. It will be getting a good cleaning, sanding, and a fresh coat of paint before being put it into place.

Basement Renovation Update: Painting and Plumbing #basement #makeover #renovation #studio

In the photo above, the door in the picture leads to my garage. This is how I come and go 95% of the time. To the right of the door is my main water shut-off valve. This was previously built into a cute little cabinet, so I plan to do the same here. In fact, I’m going to run a bench along this wall and create a little area for shoes, coats, etc. It’s a small space, but I want to maximize its functionality.

Basement Renovation Update: Painting and Plumbing #basement #makeover #renovation #studio

In the laundry room, I’m going to put a shelf that runs along the wall above the sink, washer, and dryer. I also may install some sort of upper cabinet to hide the dryer vent. (On a non-storage-related note, I also want to hide the other pipes behind the washer and the black HVAC line running along the ceiling and upgrade the light fixture.)

Basement Renovation Update: Painting and Plumbing #basement #makeover #renovation #studio

Basement Renovation Update: Painting and Plumbing #basement #makeover #renovation #studio

I plan to install some extra shelving wherever I can throughout the space, but I’ll wait to do that; I want to first see how I’m using the space so I can better determine my needs.

Basement Renovation Update: Painting and Plumbing #basement #makeover #renovation #studio

I also need to tackle these stairs. I thought they were going to be an easy project, but I discovered that this is a layer of adhesive under the runner that needs removed. I’m kicking myself for not having the flooring guys tackle it as I assume they would be much quicker than me. Oh well! It will be a good winter project I suppose. You can check out my Pinterest board for this space HERE to see how I want the stairs to look once finished.

Wow. That was a lot of information. I’m not sure you needed or wanted all of that info, but there you have it. I suppose it’s more of a to-do list for myself.

That’s it for now!

Consider yourself officially updated!

Other than trying to get my garage organized, I’m not in a huge rush for any of this to come together. Since the painting is finished and the plumbing is fixed, I’ve started using this space in my house and I’m enjoying it! Remember the abstract art gift tags I made for Christmas? I made them right down here in this area. It was a joy!

I’m so glad I’m revamping my basement; it is becoming such a gift. I can’t wait to share more with you. Stay tuned.

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52 Comments

  1. Everything looks clean and fresh, and so much more light and bright to inspire you to want to work there. Covering the washer and dryer pipes will make a huge difference…it is satisfying to do laundry when the space is beautiful. You spend a lot of time there over the years, so glad you are choosing to make it attractive and functional.You might want to consider a place to hang items to dry, this is a large part of the laundry process, as drying shrinks most fabrics. I put them in for a minute or two to fluff the fibers then hang to dry and there are no wrinkles. A counter or table for folding is a pleasant way to work as you listen to podcasts. You can use the top of the washer and dryer for this but a table is better.
    I am excited to see what soft seating you may add. Monet had a couch to lie on to rest his back. Two chairs would be fun to bring a friend into you space with a comfortable place to sit….especially if you plan to hang a lot of your artwork it would be a charming place.

    1. Love what you are doing…hard work for sure. Have you thought about painting brick around the fireplace white-gray or black to pull floor color up? It would not compete with the pretty floor.

  2. I so enjoy following you. Lived in Pittsburgh in the 80’s – North Hills. Remember those basements as technically your first floor. Your basement renovation is such an inspiration. Love the flooring!! We have just begun ours. Like you, all our basement items are in the garage. I can fit my car in. My husband’s truck sits outside in our Michigan winter. Framing starts tomorrow. We don’t have a walk out basement so definitely painting walls white. Looking at Coretec lvp in blonde oak. Painting ceiling black. Husband wants industrial look. I’m trying to keep it more neutral. Will be following how you do your stairs. I am on the fence with Coretec or painting w/poly coating and adding a runner. Our main stairs to second floor look like your inspiration pin with darker hardwood throughout main house.

  3. What a great remodel project and you aren’t even finished yet. “Slow and steady wins the race.”

    Totally off the mark and challenging DIY question, I have a dog and two cats (litter boxes have to be in my small open basement) and don’t know how to go about painting my basement floor and still have access for my cats to go up and down the basement as they need. I know I could do sections at a time, just now sure how to keep curious cats (one 5 years and the other 9 months) off of wet paint.

    Thanks for any advice you might have for me.

    1. It’s not ideal, but when they were installing the floor I just moved the litter boxes upstairs. Once they were done I moved them back. No issues.

      xo Michael

  4. I knew I was going to love what you did on this project. Excited to see the results. Please excuse my judgements here, but I would love to see every one who cares for the future stop using cleaning products that are not eco friendly. They work very well…and I am a little OCD picky.

  5. I love it! I have alabaster paint in two bedrooms. Very nice color. My husband re-finished our basement stairs that had linoleum from the 1950s on them. He removed it snd cleaned them up as best he could. However, he flipped each piece of wood over and sanded them. I then re-stained (one could paint, also) them and they look great! Just a thought. Thank you for sharing your progress and vision boards. Love it!

  6. Wondering about heat. U could get a pellet stove! Set it up in your fireplace. They are fantastic and really do the job. No mess like you wo uld encounter with firewood. Just a thought. I love the flooring and your plans.

  7. Michael, I always enjoy dropping in and seeing what’s new on your blog. I think your basement may be as big as my entire home, 1380 sq. feet! I love the amount of room you have, and how you transformed it to fit your needs.
    I purchased Home Depot kitchen cabinets and had someone else make tops for them. They flanked a wood hutch and gave me more storage. The hutch was sold but the cabinets were push together to form one unit. I just need a marble top to finish it off.

    Are you planning to create a seating space around the fireplace?

  8. This is soooooo beautiful! The white was totally the way to go, its bright, cheerful and sophisticated. I love your laundry area, that sink! Such sink envy. And can you please tell us what in in the little Harry Potter space under your stairs? Is that a kitty hangout?

  9. Looks amazing I can’t believe it’s the same space when I look at the before pictures!! Don’t forget to add a mirror or two to bounce some more light around, if you wish too. I added a couple to our basement space & it really helped reflect the small amount of light coming from our basement windows.

  10. Looking good! I can’t wait to see the finished space 🙂 I’m hoping to add a creative space (and a fitness space) in my basement sometime in the future. Thanks for the inspiration! Have a great weekend!

  11. Michael, Looking so nice.!!I would love to have a dedicated space to do art, but it will have to wait a bit. Maybe an aerator on your sink faucet would help with the splashing? In any case, it looks really nice despite the cleanup problem. Looking forward to seeing how it all comes together.