Canada's Tackiest Basement Gets a Praiseworthy Makeover

When Kera’s grandmother passed away, she and her husband Joel moved into her grandmother’s old house with their two boys. While they managed to update most of the abode, the basement was something straight out of the 1970s, and too great a challenge to tackle on their own. With low ceilings, orange shag carpet, and panelled walls that let most of the heat escape, the space was absolutely due for an overhaul. With just $40,000 to spare on the massive job, the pair called in Sebastian Clovis and Sabrina Smelko. Here’s how the Save My Reno team created a beautiful family rec room at a fraction of the cost.

1 / 10

Before: A 70s Man Cave

The wood panelling wasn’t just unsightly; improper installation behind those panels meant the basement was constantly cold. Meanwhile the wrought iron elements only added to the dungeon-like feel. Not even a cute garden could save this room.

2 / 10

Before: Orange and Old

When’s the last time you saw carpet of this texture and colour? The homeowners hadn’t done anything to this space in decades, and it was painfully obvious. The old fireplace was nothing but an eyesore, the ceilings were low and claustrophobic, and the walls were a nightmare. In fact the only thing salvageable about this space was the children’s artwork on those terrible walls.

3 / 10

After: A Warm Welcome

These new stairs are family friendly and welcoming (no more iron!). By keeping them carpeted and using easy-to-install engineered hardwood below Sebastian saved huge on costs. Meanwhile the addition of oversized trim on the baseboards gives the rest of the space a polished feel, and pot lights above ensure there’s ample lighting throughout.

4 / 10

After: A Feature Fireplace

Sebastian and Sabrina took it upon themselves to give Joel and Kera an updated, electric fireplace that didn’t just look pretty, but it heats up the space and will save money in the long run. Meanwhile, an up-cycled barn board feature wall and pretty white bricks transform the fireplace into a real feature wall.

5 / 10

After: Homemade Art

Sabrina and Kera got crafty with the kids’ art. By purchasing old frames they got sturdier pieces at a fraction of the cost, and with a little paint and some framing, this artful wall is definitely a fun and modern display for the whole family to enjoy.

6 / 10

After: Space for Everyone

Not only is there enough furniture for everyone to hang out on comfortably, but Sabrina was able to get the homeowners some cash back by using Ebates, too. It’s little steps like that which add up to huge savings in the long run.

7 / 10

After: Repurposed Barn Board

Barn Board is definitely a modern touch these days; aside from using it as a part of the fireplace feature wall Sebastian and Sabrina incorporated it as a sliding door to the bathroom. Not only does it add an artful design, but it also saves on space.

8 / 10

After: An Extra Bathroom

This family was in desperate need of another bathroom, which they got for a fairly reasonable price. By installing a basic toilet and floating vanity they saved some major costs, but still got an updated look.

9 / 10

After: Mosaic Tiling

Sabrina didn’t want to overwhelm Kera with tiling options so she went with these coloured hexagonal tiles and created a mosaic. They look expensive, but because they’re porcelain they too were a fraction of the price. Meanwhile Sebastian installed a stand-up shower, which also saved on the overall reno costs… not to mention space!

10 / 10

After: Multifunction Galore

We love the bonus storage space at the back, which includes a fun bar fridge and a space for snacks. We picture lots of great family movie and game nights in this space, with lots of memorable moments for everyone to enjoy. Now that’s how you save a reno.