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Tom's Top Tips

Tom Murphy, owner of smartbasements has complied this collection of Top Tip for successful basement finishing.

Electric Outlets - Think about your new rooms and what they are going to be used for. Where should the outlets be placed, how many do you need? If you are going to install a home theater or use a computer etc you may want to consider installing extra outlets. Remember it is far cheaper to install them during the building process than after. We will install enough outlets to satisfy existing code unless you require more.

TV Outlets - Are you going to have TV in any of the rooms? If so how many outlets do you want? Where do you want them? It is worth remembering that you may want to rearrange rooms in the future so adding a few extra TV outlets will make it easier to position your TVs where you want them.

Cable Modem - Are you going to use a computer in your new basement? Consider where you want your cable modem points to be installed.

Phone Points - Where are you going to make that important call from? Give some consideration to where you want your phone outlets to be installed. At lease one should be installed near a power outlet if you intend to use a modern cordless phone. Please note: At least one phone in the house should be of the corded type so that emergency calls can be placed during power outages.

Lighting - What kind of lighting do you want? Where do you want the lights placed? Do you need any special lighting for any areas of your basement? Where do you want your switches placed? What type of switches do you want? Plan your walking route for switching lights on an off.

Burglar Alarms - If you have a walk-out basement and are considering fitting an burglar alarm system you may want to consider having the alarm fitted prior to finishing the basement.

Decor - When selecting a vibrant paint color, make sure it's one you can live with for awhile. If you're uncertain about a color, it helps to start with a quart of paint on a test wall to ensure the depth of color is appropriate for the room in question.

Lighting - Good Quality fixtures can add pizzazz and style to your room, without a huge investment.

Design - When considering an open floor plan, look at potential traffic patterns and furniture placement. Remember to leave open wall space for mirrors and artwork accents.

Design - Room sizes and shapes should be determined based on the frequency of room use and the needs for the room. A guest bedroom may require a relatively small space, while the recreational area might need to be larger since it will be used on a daily basis.

Decor - Wallcoverings can transform an interior space with lively colors and patterns. Wallpaper should come with care instructions, so be sure to keep this information for future reference. Prior to cleaning, test a small area before using any cleaning product to avoid possible discoloration or damage. A pencil eraser is often effective in removing scuff marks and dirt.

Design - A tired bathroom can be revitalized with a new sink and commode, fresh paint, and creative accents like decorative towels and shiny brass or chrome fixtures. Ceramic tile comes in a variety of shapes and sizes. Choose a surfaced tile for floors to prevent slipping. Glazed tile works best on walls, while mosaic tile works well on most surfaces. Mosaic tile resists moisture, staining and chipping.

Design - A bold backsplash can jazz up a neutral-themed kitchen.

Decor - Add character to walls with faux paint treatments, for impact without a large expenditure. Treatments can include sponging, colorwashing, marbling, or distressing. These effects can create texture and depth to your walls.

We will be adding more of Tom's Top Tips in the near future.