I need some opinions please

Sorry - this is a bit long:

Our basement currently only has outdoor access (it was dug out after the house was built). We would like to add in-door access to it & then finish it, but we're having probs with staircase placement. After several in-home quotes, without getting into the mechanics of it, the ONLY way we can do it is to take out a big utility closet that we have in our hallway (which we knew) AND the closet in our DS' bedroom. The staircase would need to start in ds' closet & then flow into the bigger closet (we'd move the entrance to his room back so the steps don't start in there).

So if we do this:
1) we'll lose a nice big closet closet in DS' room & have to get an armoire
2) we'd be able to gain about 400 sq feet of "living room" space in the basement
3) we'd gain a 2nd full bath down there (we only have 1 now)
4) we'd gain a huge walk-in storage room downstairs.

Would you do it or would the idea of losing the closet in the BR put you off to the project?

Thanks!

Message edited 3/19/2010 11:45:04 AM.

Re: I need some opinions please

As much as I would HATE, HATE, HATE to do it - I would.

A basement with no indoor access is much worse than a bedroom with no closet.

Re: I need some opinions please

Hey Melissa....I would do it as well, the basement is such a huge bonus to have, especially as your little man gets bigger, there will be lots more big toys, etc, its great to have it finished to play down there...im so happy we finished our basement and added a bathroom as well - makes life so much easier..goodluck with your decision!

Re: I need some opinions please

how big is your DS room? if it's large enough you might be able to add a smaller closet into the room, so it would be a bump out of a closet instead of into the wall, KWIM? This way you don't loose a closet completely in that room. But go for the bigger basement and all the other extras.

Re: I need some opinions please

My one issue with this is that by loosing a closet, when you put the house up for resale, it would technically loose a bedroom.

Re: I need some opinions please

Did you consider one of those circular staircases- they seem like they take up less room- I know they arent the most convenient thing but I personally would hate to lose a closet

Re: I need some opinions please

if those are your choices i would do it, it will stink to lose the closets upstairs but the extra space, and closet and bath downstairs would more than make for it in my mind

Re: I need some opinions please

Re: I need some opinions please

Thanks for your input and ideas ladies!

Unfortunately his room isn’t big enough for a bump out closet…we spoke with our contractor trying to find a way to minimize the imprint it would have, but it would take away too much space

We looked into circular staircases (that was our original idea) & stairs with landings/returns, but unfortunately the utility closet that we’re losing was about 16” too small for even those ideas…plus they would wind up blocking access to the outside stairs that are already down there. Unfortunately, a straight run would have to be done & due to the existing foundation & retaining walls down there it needs to originate in his closet to work

Re: I need some opinions please