I have been working on an exciting project lately, and I am thrilled to finally share it with you! It is located in the basement of a home in the Finger Lakes region of upstate New York. So naturally, I have been focused on creating a lake house aesthetic with a practical, modern spin. The project is close to completion now, so let’s take a look at the process for this lake house basement design.

Concept

It’s important to have a well-established concept for a design, before we dive into the details of how to bring it all together. I always start with a meeting to talk it out with my clients and learn all of their dreams for the space. We determined that the goal of this project is to transform the basement into a relaxing private oasis with multi-purpose functionality for lounging, sleeping, and working. 

Instantly inspired, I began looking for inspiration to show my clients what I had in mind for their space. Here’s what I presented to them:

My clients expressed an interest in having a peaceful place to unwind, so I focused on styles, colors, and textures that are laid back and soothing. Light colors in tints of green and blue brighten up the space, while also giving it an open, airy look. I wanted to bring a little bit of the outdoors inside with natural textures, like rattan and wood. These materials create a sense of crisp contrast when paired with a fun mix of boho furniture and accessories. With sustainability in mind, I also proposed repurposing some of their existing furniture to give it a fresh update that works with the rest of the design. 

Design Development

Once we decided on the concept of the project, that was my cue to hit the ground running and develop it further. I did some thoughtful research and sourced products to align with the concept we chose. Then, I created mood boards to present my selections to my clients. Mood boards are an extremely useful presentation tool because they help me and my clients visualize how individual products will look when they are paired together. I use this tool to communicate details and make sure that every item in the space adds to the overall design.

Check out the mood boards I created for the basement living room and office areas:

Good design is not only about how items look together. It’s also about how they relate to each other within the space. Mood boards can be helpful, but there is only so much that a 2D presentation can do. I took this project a step further and created 3D renderings to help my client see how the furniture would actually fit in a three-dimensional space.

Progress

Since creating these renderings, considerable progress has been made on this project. The doors and trim have been replaced with white options to make the space brighter. We have already purchased some of the furniture, including:

• An accent chair rocker
• A bench
• A sleeper sofa
• Curtains
• Decorative throw pillows

In an effort to be more environmentally-friendly, I supplemented the design with repurposed furniture as well. Repurposed items include a lamp for the living room and an ottoman for the office. I am also currently repurposing end tables and a credenza for the living room. They will be painted black, and rattan accents will be added to the front of the drawers to introduce natural materials and texture into the design. They are still a work in progress, but I think they are coming along nicely!

What’s Next

While we have made a lot of progress on the lake house basement design, there are still some items left on the to-do list! I plan to repurpose a wooden storage chest for the office. It will be painted to give it a refreshing modern look.  

And, we have some additional pieces to purchase to really bring the space to the finish line. The sourcing list includes:

• A desk and chair for the office
• An armoire/hutch for the living room
• End tables for the office
• A coffee table for the living room
• Rugs
• Flooring
• Wall art
• Additional decor

I can’t wait to share this lake house basement design with you when it’s finally complete! Make sure you’re following Repurposed Interiors on Instagram and Facebook to stay tuned for the final result. And in the meantime, if you’re looking to transform your own home, reach out to me to schedule a consultation!