Calgary designer Louis Duncan-He had a tall order: to bring a relaxed beach vacation feeling to a builder-basic basement. With fond memories of travelling to destinations like Hawaii and the Caribbean, his clients were looking for a similar vibe at home. “They painted a vivid picture of lush, moody, sensual rooms,” says Louis of their vision for the space.

Having lived in their Aspen Woods house for 12 years, the couple knew it was time for the lower level to live up to its full potential. “Our house has areas for family togetherness, but it was lacking a dedicated space for adults that was free of kids’ toys, work and clutter, a place where we didn’t have to go out to enjoy a night out,” says one owner.

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Basements can get a bad rap: low ceilings and not enough light are two of the most common complaints. These designers turned things around with walk-out basements that max out space and natural light. Scroll down for our best walk-out basement ideas that will have you thinking: that’s a basement?

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Designer Ashley Montgomery‘s lower-level reno of a 1970s ranch bungalow for restaurateurs Caitlin and Drew Alford proves that there are basements, and then there are basements. In 2018, when the couple moved in to the Barrie, Ont., house (Buckwheat, their Saint Berdoodle arrived soon after), they were keen on the basement’s pool access and proximity to the ravine setting but disliked the dated interior. The ask was for an inviting lower level with guest rooms for visiting family, a bar for entertaining and a lounge-worthy living area, “or rumpus room that felt like the lakehouse scenes in The Godfather Part II,” says Drew, referring to the movie’s Lake Tahoe lounge pad interiors, replete with stone and wood finishes.

The couple started with a main-floor renovation, which was infused with a dark, rich palette, then they brought in designer Ashley Montgomery to tackle the basement. “We like a warm, laid-back aesthetic, and we love Ashley’s work,” says Caitlin. “There are a lot of antiques in her projects and a depth that feels cozy and beautiful.” Caitlin and Drew are gung ho for old treasures, too; they often hit up antique shows in the U.S. “For the upstairs reno, we filled a box truck with goods from the Round Top Antiques Show in Texas and brought it home,” says Drew. “Collecting is how we decorate.”

Scroll down to see inside this fabulous space!

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With spring around the corner, we’re making our homes as functional, organized and fabulous as possible. Whether you need inspiration for the ultimate basement office, or you’re looking to design a luxe home bar, it’s the perfect time to makeover a dated and cluttered basement.

Scroll down to see these 45+ beautiful basements and get inspired to refresh your own!

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Often last on the list for a makeover, basements rarely get any serious love. That was certainly the case for the basement of Michele Rowland, a real-estate agent, and her husband, Derek Lamont. In 2016, the couple bought their charming, 1920s classic Tudor home in Oshawa, Ontario, a 45 minutes’ drive east of Toronto. They spent two years renovating the upper floors before finally shifting their gaze lower — and what they saw wasn’t pretty. “By this point, we had run out of steam,” says Michele.

The basement consisted of a hallway beside the stairwell that led to a small sitting room and a charmless and dated three-piece bath. Half of it was unfinished storage space, including a laundry area. Still, they had grand visions of transforming the 600-square-foot lower level into a “pretty but practical office” for Michele’s four-person team.

A key consideration was making the basement feel like the rest of the house, which is where designer Christine Elliott came in. “We addressed how the team worked day to day, and what they needed at their fingertips,” says Christine. There had to be storage, a pleasant spot to eat lunch and meet with clients, a new bathroom and a private office for Michele. In the end, Michele is thrilled with the total transformation. “A friend said, ‘When you’re done with the office, I’m turning it into my apartment.’”

Scroll down to see the dramatic before and after of this basement makeover!

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With 180-degree ocean views, this Manhattan Beach, California, home, perched on top of a hill, is a sight for sore eyes. It wasn’t always the case, though. Before designer Kate Lester got her hands on it, the 6,000-square-foot Mediterranean house was dark and dated, and the spacious basement was a dumping ground for the family of four. “The space wasn’t being utilized properly,” she says. “It was just extra storage off the garage.” So, after she transformed the upstairs into a “Spanifornia” (Spanish-California) haven, she tackled the downstairs. The family wanted an ultracool hangout that could host both their teenage son and his friends, and the adults. “The main goal for me was that it didn’t feel juvenile,” says Kate. “It still had to be sophisticated.” The end result is a functional and fashionable gathering place, perfect for sleepovers, game nights and more.

Scroll down to see the before and after of this dramatic basement makeover!

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Looking out at the sea of mature trees, it’s easy to forget you’re in the middle of Toronto — let alone in a basement. That’s what the homeowners loved so much about this space — plus, with three kids and two dogs, the more room to kick back, the better. The light-filled walk out was built by architectural firm Superkül over 10 years ago and has beautiful bones: nine-foot ceilings, heated concrete floors and wood-framed, floor-to-ceiling windows. But over the years, it quickly became a dumping ground for toys, and the layout just didn’t serve the family anymore. So, that’s when Mehnaz Malik of Natari Design stepped in. “I wanted it to feel warm, cozy and comfortable,” she says. Mehnaz overhauled the main family hangout and the adjoining kids’ lounge, which is now the go-to place for playing boardgames and hosting sleepovers. Both rooms are inspired by nature and have a Scandi-inspired sensibility.

Scroll down to tour this dream basement and find out how Mehnaz took it from dull to dazzling!

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Designer Brian Gluckstein reveals the beautiful bedrooms, bathrooms and basement inside the 2018 Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Home Lottery Showhome. (Order tickets now for your chance to win this home!) The second floor features four unique bedrooms — one with a dark grey-blue palette, another with painted faux mouldings and a Parisian theme, and the third with a dream canopy bed and a rich red accent wall. The master bedroom’s monochromatic blush pink scheme and oversized tufted headboard make a statement, too. Discover how plaid wallpaper and Missoni metallic zig zag and textured floral designs give the ensuite bathrooms a luxurious look. Plus, see the spacious dressing room and the additional laundry closet. In the basement, lots of seating, oversized board games and a two-lane bowling alley create the ultimate entertaining space.

Ask designer Brian Gluckstein your showhome design and decorating questions during our LIVE Facebook video on Friday, October 5, at 12:30 p.m. EST! Watch our tour of the kitchen, living room, dining room and family room, plus see the courtyard and backyard putting green and pick up H&H’s October 2018 issue, on newsstands starting September 10. Finally, take our quiz now to find out which of the five lottery homes is the best fit for you!

Presented by the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Home Lottery.

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See the impressive before and after of a family-friendly walkout basement that designer Trish Johnston converted into a clean-lined space perfect for teenagers. Get her expert tips on how to add warmth to a modern basement with indoor plants and oak panelling. Plus, discover how she integrated a ping-pong table and a small, private gym into the sleek design.

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As her son and daughter were growing up, Nam Dang-Mitchell kept hearing the same advice from her friends with older children: if you want to see your kids when they’re teenagers, get Basement renovations Edmonton. But before she could turn her dark, dated basement into a teen-approved rec room, the Calgary designer had to fix the basics.

When she moved into the century home in 2005, the lower level hadn’t been renovated since the 1960s. With a mix of textural materials, modern finishes and an emphasis on artwork, Nam transformed the basement into a multifunctional space. Though the lower level is definitely a teen domain, Nam and her husband, James Mitchell, regularly kick off their shoes and join in the fun. “We move the coffee table and hold family dance competitions,” says Nam. Here’s her recipe for the ultimate family hub.

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