Basements Unlimited was founded in 1987 and we have been finishing basements ever since.

Al Cloern and his team have created some beautiful basement living spaces.

This one featured here is a home in Tartan Fields in Dublin, Oh. You can view more photos of this basement renovation in our Gallery as well.

“We were grateful for your design opinions as well as your interest in incorporating our requests into our basement renovation. The layout is very functional and we have especially enjoyed the detailing of the bar and the entertainment unit. Our basement has been receiving rave reviews and our home entertaining has dramatically increased.”
-Dawn and James Lowery

 

 

Basements Unlimited can complete your living space with many customized items such as; bathrooms, wet bars, entertainment centers, desk and computer units and cedar closets. They use the latest materials and offer suggestions on the latest trends to increase the value of your basement remodel. If you have preferences in building materials, fixtures etc. Al and his team are able to accommodate most requests and you can discuss these items during your consultation.

Basements Unlimited has finished basement renovations in most areas and neighborhoods in and around Columbus, OH. A few of them are: The Retreat, Coventry Woods, Donnegal Cliffs, Muirfield, The Sanctuary, Lewylln Farms, Olentangy Ridge, Bartholomew Run, Olde Sawmill, New Albany, Dublin, Powell, Westerville and Lewis Center.
For more references please feel free to visit the Better Business Bureau and Angies List.

 

Wet Bar Features for a Finished Basement

This is Al Cloern with Basements Unlimited.  I would like to walk you through step by step what we we did for one of our clients in their home. This will give you an idea as to how we work with each customer to create a custom built Wet Bar. Our goal is to give each client exactly what they want.

Custom Wet Bars are one of our most popular features in a finished basement. Most home owners are very specific as to what they want the Wet Bar to look like and do.  Our goal is to create a space that the home owner is going to enjoy for many years.

First, we get with the home owner and get all their ideas and how they want to incorporate them into the Wet Bar. We specify the type of appliances they want, the shape and size of the bar, the lighting features, wood options and many other details that are important.

Second, we lay out the design and draw it all out so that our client knows exactly what he's getting and how it's gonna work. This one we just finished is different many ways... which they're all are. On this one we had to get creative on how we hid the sump pump. The sump pump was actually moved from the center of room to the corner of the basement. The Wet Bar was then designed to hide the sump pump but yet keep it easily accessible.

Third, this client wanted a stereo system. The  stereo equipment was incorporated into the Wet Bar so that it could be hidden and protected in one of the cabinets. If the stereo equipment needed to be used or serviced the cabinet it is located in actually pulls out so that you can get to all the stereo equipment.  From there we place the TV in a space that is viewable to everybody sitting at the bar.

Fourth, we put regular mirrors on the back wall with glass shelves for the glasses and bottles to be displayed. On this one and we hid the microwave and  wine cooler so that it's not out yet it is easily accessible. You really want to make it look like a bar and not a kitchen. That's extremely important. So we usually use the mini appliances, in this case, we've got a kegerator. This Wet Bar does not have a dishwasher in it. Some clients want that and some people don't.

Fifth, it is important to get the lighting just right. The different lighting that goes into these can really set the whole bar off. On this particular one we installed under cabinet lights. They're all on dimmers and look very nice as they shine through the glass shelves. Some of the shelves are frosted glass which gives the bar area a great look. Then we installed rope lighting underneath the counter all the way around the bar. With the regular lights on dimmers you can create any mood that you would like. It really adds to the whole bar experience

Sixth, we look at the plumbing and sinks. Most of them are stainless sinks. On this bar we used the square sink instead of the rounded bowl sinks. We also used a pull down faucet.

One big difference on this bar is we have wood not only on the bar surface but also on the counter top surface. The home owner liked the two-tone wood which worked out fantastic. You can also find out more about wet bar options here. We can create any custom feature you are looking for in your home.

What creates these great, creative and unique bars is taking the home owners ideas and putting them into real form. And if you take the time and the energy, then you can do that on everyone of these bars. In this particular case, we think we've created a great, great venue for all his friends and relatives as they enjoy this custom wet bar and watch some good football games.

 

 

Al Cloern, of Basements Unlimited explains a few ideal options for basement storage in his video.

When finishing your basement plan for your remodeling project you may want to consider how much storage you would like to have and what type of storage you would need.

Here is an excerpt from Al Cloern: “A question we hear a lot is: ‘How much of our basement should we remodel?’  And really, that comes down to how much living space you would like and how much additional storage you want. Some people don't need any additional storage in their basement so then they use most of the space if not all of it for living purposes; others want a lot of storage in their basement.

When we finish your basement there are two types of storage we build; Finished and unfinished. Unfinished storage as you expect costs much less than a finished storage area, like a closet.

For example a space used as a closet for clothes, we would finish the walls and floor just like a closet in the upstairs of your home. We can create traditional closets with shelving in them or hanging area for clothes, be it for hanging summer clothes or storing winter clothes etc.

Often if there is a closet built underneath the stairs for example, we will not put shelving in after the closet is finished. Because these spaces are deep and perfectly suitable for suitcases, hanging coats or even the expansion of imagination when little kids actually find it great entertainment to make little forts inside.

The storage that is unfinished can have bought shelving, and of course unfinished walls and floor. Many times, we will make rough storage shelves that will go in this type of unfinished area. They are great for big plastic tubs, containers, and items like that.

As you can imagine, there are many areas that can be converted into storage spaces when your remodeling your basement. The initial challenge will be to decide how much storage space you need overall. Then the basement finishing experts can take it from there to ensure you get all the storage you need while preserving space for living as well.”

Exercising at home is almost a necessity and a workout room in your finished basement can add to your quality of life and value to your home.

Al Cloern, of Basements Unlimited, explains more in this video:

 

Al Cloern, of Basements Unlimited in Upper Arlington OH, talks about features to think about in your basement remodeling project with this tour of a completed workout room in a finished basement in Dublin, Ohio.

“A feature that we see a lot of in basement finishing projects are the workout rooms.  People don't have a lot of time because they are working so much and their commute is long so they like to workout at home. A home owner can create a workout space in almost any part of the basement. Often we add entire rooms dedicated to exercise in a basement remodel.

In this finished basement, here in Dublin, Ohio, we put the rubber floor down in the workout room to keep the surface comfortable for exercising on a daily basis.  We've added various mirrors around the room and a wall-mount TV. A person can walk on the treadmill while catching up on their latest show or breaking news.

We also created a solution to hide the sump pump in a corner with a cabinet. We often find ways to hide utilities and other equipment that is needed on the basement yet unsightly for a finished room. In this case, the homeowner will be able to access the sump pump when needed and also showcase different decorative items on top or use it for additional table top storage.

It's important to know the type and size of the exercise equipment you have or are going to purchase when considering the size of the room that we will design for you. We have to know how much space you need to allocate for it because some exercise equipment is very large and others will need a smaller storage area like hand weights and bands.

A basement workout room makes a great feature and added convenience to any homeowner. Overtime, you can save on those gym membership fees and enjoy exercising in the comfort of your own home.”

Wet Bars are big features in basement remodeling. From simple walk-ups to full size kitchens.

Al Cloern, of Basements Unlimited, explains more in this video:

“One of the big features that most people ask for is a functional and convenient wet bar for their basement.  And obviously, there is enormous variation of what you can do, from very simple walk-up wet bars with a little microwave, mini fridge, and a sink, to the big sit-down bars, with a double sink, fridge and wrap around bar, like this one pictured here.

This particular basement wet bar was all custom-built. The cabinetry and built in features were all designed by myself, with the help of the homeowner.  Often, we find that's the best way to do it, especially when incorporating the new flat screen TV and any other custom items. Stock cabinetry doesn’t accommodate the TVs as well as custom built cabinets.

There are endless options that go into this type of wet bar. Several lighting ideas from styles of lights: pendant lights, recessed light fixtures and rope lighting to application of the lightning in different areas. In this case, we blocked out the ceiling with crown molding and installed rope lighting above that.

We also installed lighting under the cabinets to enhance the counter space and highlight the tile backsplash. These types of lighting treatments really give the space an overall comfortable feel and allow for task lighting as well as mood lighting in the wet bar area.

We also have, the wine holders, the tile backsplash, & TV including cable and sound systems working on an IR -- infrared sensor. When designing a space like this the home owners need to consider any features and needs they would have and then we can consider all of these options for your basement. 

This wet bar also has a full-sized fridge. Often people like those for the extra storage of cold beverages or for food prepared for a large gathering of friends and family. This one also has a dishwasher. Our goal is to add a decor that mirrors the look and feel of your house upstairs with the added convenience of amenities as well.

Another nice feature here is the cabinet that hides the microwave. It allows the microwave to be accessible but doesn't make the bar look like a kitchen. Again, there are many options that can go into a wet bar for your basement remodeling project. We can let you know what the latest trends are and give you some ideas that would work for your space. Take a look at our wet bar ideas to find out more about the options available to you.

It doesn't matter what look you're trying to get with your bar.  When features are matched with the benefits and uses you would like from your basement wet bar you will have achieved getting exactly what you were looking for in your finished basement. Your basement will no longer feel like a basement but an extension of your home.”