Because of their expansive layouts, basements are often catch-all rooms. When browsing basement remodeling ideas, always think in terms of your family's needs and whether the space could best serve as your playroom, media room, home bar or storage space — or all of the above. Although finishing a basement is a large investment, it can add much-needed square footage to your home, which can also up the overall resale value.

As you get ready to take the remodeling plunge, take time to map out your basement layout and determine all its separate functions. Think about what your family needs the space for, and pick a layout that best suits those needs. Once you finalize your plan, determine whether built-ins are worth pursuing. In a vast, undefined space, they're an easy way to differentiate one space from another — the extra storage space doesn't hurt either. Finally, decide what type of basement furniture you want to fill the space with, like comfy couches, armchairs or a big game table. Since there's so much room to cover, picking the right pieces is a little more challenging than usual, so look at other basement design ideas to get a feel for what to look for when shopping.

What are basements used for?

Every family is different, so when looking for finished basement ideas make sure you pinpoint how you spend your time and then cater to those hobbies and interests. If you host parties often or are beer and wine aficionados, focus your basement remodel on creating a home bar or wine cellar. If you're looking for a kid-friendly hangout, become the neighborhood hot spot with a massive family and media room combo. Give the guy in your family the ultimate escape with a man cave, game room and home gym, or be practical above all else by adding extra bedrooms and another bathroom.

Should I use built-ins in my basement design?

With such large spaces, basements can hard to define; clever built-ins can help clarify room divisions while simultaneously aiding organization. For the ultimate video game/movie hub, install a custom entertainment center, complete with bookshelves and cabinets for storing small electronic accessories, movies and books. For those family movie nights, add a wet bar that includes a microwave and mini fridge for popcorn and beverages. A craft room with a built-in counter and shelves, or a long booth or bench for extra seating are also popular basement ideas. The options are endless, so consult a designer or builder to see what works for your basement remodel.

How should I decorate my basement?

If you take a look at most basement decorating ideas, you’ll see that typically bigger is better. Unlike other rooms where space might be tight, basement designs usually have room to spare, so your furniture can be oversized and chunky to help fill them up. Sectionals are a great way to avoid an empty-looking room, and they provide plenty of seating for when guests come to visit. Be sure to add other common living room pieces — like armchairs, side tables and coffee tables — to fully complete the look. If your family loves games, add a pool table, foosball or poker table, or include an oversized table for regular board games. Other excellent basement ideas include giving your kids their own corner with an indoor playhouse or swing, or creating your ultimate getaway with a daybed and bookshelves for reading, napping and relaxing.

Whether you want inspiration for planning a basement renovation or are building a designer basement from scratch, Houzz has 96,490 images from the best designers, decorators, and architects in the country, including Studio M Interiors and Gardner/Fox Associates, Inc. Look through basement pictures in different colors and styles and when you find a basement design that inspires you, save it to an Ideabook or contact the Pro who made it happen to see what kind of design ideas they have for your home. Explore the beautiful basement photo gallery and find out exactly why Houzz is the best experience for home renovation and design.