Redo Basemen or Expand Den?

I have a split and my den is extremey small. We are thinking about knocking down the wall between the den and the garage and making one big den or just finishing the basement and making a playroom/ den?

Has anyone done either or both? Any pros/cons you can share??

I really want the bigger den and no garage but my husbands wants the garage.....

Re: Redo Basemen or Expand Den?

I think you need to think about it in terms of resale value if it's not your forever home.

Buyers would likely have issues with a home with no garage. Also, a finished basement would add value to your home while no garage might devalue your home.

My answer is w/o doubt, redo the basement.

Re: Redo Basemen or Expand Den?

Thank you for your honesty. The resale value is the only con I can think of in expanding the den. I think it's my forever home no but who knows if that might change.

Re: Redo Basemen or Expand Den?

We have the same issue in our split. The family room is very long and narrow. We would love to take out he garage and expand. I hate basements and could never see us using it as living space

My neighbor across the street pushed out his den into the garage and built a new garage on the side of his den. I have no idea how pricey it is, but it looks great . You would have to have enough space on the side though

Re: Redo Basemen or Expand Den?

Im purchasing a home right now where we'll be in the same situation. Luckily they already redid the garage and made it into living space, but its an extra room. I want to just knock down the wall if possible and make the living room bigger. We also want to finish the basement, but will need to dig a separate entrance for it to be legal among other things.

Re: Redo Basemen or Expand Den?

Message edited 11/28/2011 10:01:11 PM.

Re: Redo Basemen or Expand Den?

I'd do the basement.....

Re: Redo Basemen or Expand Den?

Message edited 11/29/2011 10:09:14 AM.

Re: Redo Basemen or Expand Den?

You have a split with a basement? I grew up in a split and there is a little den downstairs with the garage next to it. We had the garage (and my mom still does), but most houses on our block knocked the wall down and made a huge playroom (no garage). Even though I liked that, I don't think i'd give up my garage for it... if you have a basement i'd make that into a playroom.

Re: Redo Basemen or Expand Den?

I would redo the basement.

We specifically turned down a very nice split because it only had half a garage (other half was extended living space). We wouldn't have been able to fit any car larger than a Mini Cooper in there.

No good.

Re: Redo Basemen or Expand Den?

I would do the basement and keep the garage.

I have a split with a decent sized den (it's not huge, but it's more squared off and not that narrow, long space that a lot of splits have). But I have a finished basement that we use as a playroom for my son.

I think most buyers want a garage and see a finished basement as a big plus. Although your den may not be huge, it is extra common space that other styles of home don't have (some only have a formal living room, no den). So again, any den is usually a selling point.

I am speaking strictly from a resale perspective. If you find your den is really not useable space as it is, and you plan to stay in the house long-term, it may be worth it to you to do it. If you did do the den renovation, is there anyway to expand it so that you don't eliminate the entire garage? I am assuming you have a 1 car garage, but if you had a 2 car, could you take part of the garage and leave a 1 car garage? Or expand back into your yard instead of into the garage?