Once a dark and dingy basement filled with storage boxes and sports equipment, this renovated space is now a fun, functional kids’ zone. On Save My Reno, designer Sabrina Smelko and contractor Sebastian Clovis explored their inner child to the fullest.
![Romper Room Chic basement playroom with large blue graphic rug, grey chevron tent and mountain murals on the walls](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1-save-my-reno-season-2-basement-playroom.jpg)
Romper Room
With their first baby on the way, homeowners Amanda and Lauren wanted to take their awkward basement and transform it into a clean, calming space for their little one to play and relax in with his friends.
![Colour Inside the Lines Chic basement playroom with a mountain mural on the wall, a grey play table, two chairs and two blue stools](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2-save-my-reno-season-2-basement-playroom-table.jpg)
Colour Inside the Lines
Since the space was quite large and open, Sabrina created thematic areas to give form to the room’s function. A great example is the mountain wall murals, which frame and define the colouring and counting station.
![Last But Not Least Old unfinished basement with ugly green carpet, wood paneling and piles of boxes and old furniture](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3-save-my-reno-season-2-basement-playroom-before.jpg)
Last But Not Least
After renovating the rest of the house, the basement was the last area Amanda and Lauren had to tackle before the birth of their baby. Removing the old carpet, wood panelling and dated dropdown skylight feature were the first steps.
![Pot Lights Chic basement playroom with a mountain mural on the wall, a large blue patterned rug, a grey play table and two chairs, a chevron play tent and a large toy closet](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/4-save-my-reno-season-2-basement-playroom-closet.jpg)
Pot Lights
Taking out the skylight gave Sebastian enough extra ceiling height to install new pot lighting throughout, which makes the space feel airy and bright, especially compared to what it looked like before.
Related: Check out this hard-living basement with a calm and cool vibe.
![Safari Dreams Chic basement playroom with a grey chevron play tend and zebra striped rug](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/5-save-my-reno-season-2-basement-playroom-tent.jpg)
Safari Dreams
A sweet chevron-striped tent provides the perfect spot for kids to curl up in and pretend they’re going on their own safari, complete with a plush rhino, zebra-print rug and a trio of animal heads. (No animals were hurt in the making of this playroom!)
![Getting Edged Out Set of three live edge wood shelves display family pictures, fun toys and sweet messages](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/6-save-my-reno-season-2-basement-playroom-shelves.jpg)
Getting Edged Out
Amanda had been holding onto this gorgeous piece of live-edge wood for a future DIY table project, but she gave it up to Sebastian when he suggested a set of shelves to hold family memorabilia and kid-friendly objets du art instead.
See Sabrina Smelko’s tips on bathroom accessories.
![Laundry Quandary Crowded basement laundry area with HVAC system and a white washer and dryer](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/7-save-my-reno-season-2-basement-playroom-laundry.jpg)
Laundry Quandary
One of the main design flaws of the original basement was the poor placement of the washer and dryer. Opening the machine doors was cumbersome and needed to be addressed before the laundry loads expanded greatly post baby.
![Clean Machine Chic grey basement laundry room with grey vinyl floors, white shaker cabinets and a butcher block countertop](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/8-save-my-reno-season-2-basement-playroom-laundry.jpg)
Clean Machine
Now the laundry gets its own separate room, complete with a cost-saving butcher-block countertop for folding, a deep rinsing sink and a chic geometric-patterned tile backsplash.
Launder like a pro! Check out Sabrina Smelko’s perfect laundry room solution.
![Up a Notch Three ceramic planters hang in a chic laundry room with a pattern tile backsplash and wooden butcher block counters](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/9-save-my-reno-season-2-basement-laundry-counter.jpg)
Up a Notch
Since Amanda and Lauren will be spending a lot more time in the laundry room once the baby is born, Sabrina wanted to elevate the space with thoughtful design elements, such as the trio of hanging porcelain planters and sleek storage containers.
![In Its Proper Place Organized basement storage room filled with wooden shelves, white cabinets, a table on casters and blue stool](https://assets.hgtv.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/10-save-my-reno-season-2-basement-storage.jpg)
In Its Proper Place
With a kid on the way, having plenty of storage was key to these homeowners – now with this dedicated area for bits and bobs, there’s somewhere for everything, including seasonal clothes and decorations.
Laugh along with Sabrina and Sebastian. Watch these outtakes and bloopers from Season 2 of Save My Reno.
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