Are you hoping to jump on the growing trend of Edmontonians using extra basement space to develop a legal basement suite? While developing a basement suite can be a sizeable investment upfront, savvy investors can find the experience rewarding, and a great way to make use of otherwise stagnant space in the home. While we’ve discussed the realities of basement development many times (you can check out one of our most popular blogs here), there’s more than just the “hard” elements that you’ll want to have in mind in order to make sure you have the best suite to attract potential renters. Below, we’ll take a look at some of the other factors you’ll want to keep in mind when designing and building a basement suite. Read on to learn more!
Lighting
One of the biggest challenges when it comes to basement suites for both renters and developers is addressing the inherent lack of light that sub-ground spaces have. Suites that have better light are far more likely to attract good tenants and will help them enjoy their living space for the long term. To battle the lack of natural light in basements, you can look at installing larger windows (which is often necessary for legal egress windows anyways), implementing recess lighting or installing LED fixtures, and looking at strategic placement of mirrors or reflective surfaces to help diffuse brightness throughout the space.
Open Concept
Basements can often be on the smaller side, and sometimes you may find that you’re unable to remove or alter certain load-bearing walls that would otherwise lend to more space. In this case, you’ll want to enhance what you have by opting for an open concept design that allows the space to feel much larger than it is. An example would be combining the living room and kitchen to give better flow to the entire area and to create a “bigger” feel overall.
Choose Flooring Carefully
When outfitting your basement suite, it’s important to pick your floor carefully. Rental suites are subject to more wear and tear, meaning you’ll want a durable option. Basements also maintain a moisture atmosphere as well, so your flooring will need to be able to accommodate. Luxury vinyl tile, laminate, cork, and other such options are a great fit and can add plenty of style with the right finish.
Colour Play
One of the best ways to open up a space, add light, and make the room feel bigger is by utilizing colours appropriately. Work with your design team to find the best colour scheme for each room/area and you’ll be amazed just how much you can brighten things up and add extra ambience to every area with a simple splash of colour!
Follow All Standards
Finally, the most important part of building a basement suite is ensuring you adhere to all relevant standards. The City of Edmonton has several rules and by-laws in place that you will need to be aware of. Partnering with an experienced contractor will make it easy to stay on the right side of the law and develop the space accordingly.
Ready to Develop?
Peak Improvements is here to help! Our team of experts includes full-scale services such as designers, architects, construction specialists and more. Learn more about secondary suite renovations by contacting our team today!
