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The Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivray
You don't earn titles like "real estate mogul" and "king of income properties" without tackling a basement reno or two, or in Scott McGillivray's case, a hundred or so. Here, we've gathered our favourite renovations by Scott, the very best of his basement makeovers. See how Scott transformed these underwhelming basement dwellings into useful modern spaces. If you're a fan of real estate investing and home renos, check out Scott McGillivray's new show Buyers Bootcamp which premieres Sunday, April 1 at 9PM E/P.
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Open Shelving Saves Space
1/17Open Shelving Saves Space
1/17Photo Credit: HGTV
Doesn't this basement apartment feel like a New York loft? A bulky bookcase would take up valuable floor space, but white open shelves disappear into the background.<br><br>Is your basement sitting empty? Discover <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/basements/photos/20-clever-ways-to-increase-the-value-of-your-basement-1909334/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">20 of the best ways to increase the value of your basement</a>. Your wallet will be glad you did.Scott McGillivrayThe Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivrayOpen Shelving Saves Space
PHOTO 1 of 17READ LESS -Doesn't this basement apartment feel like a New York loft? A bulky bookcase would take up valuable floor space, but white open shelves disappear into the background.<br><br>Is your basement sitting empty? Discover <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/basements/photos/20-clever-ways-to-increase-the-value-of-your-basement-1909334/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">20 of the best ways to increase the value of your basement</a>. Your wallet will be glad you did.Photo Credit: HGTV
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Clean and Cozy
2/17Clean and Cozy
2/17Photo Credit: HGTV
A basement fireplace gets a clean bill of health with white paint and a new mantel. Modern couches and a graphic rug add cool factor.<br><br>Think this basement is nice? Check out <a href="https://www.greatcanadianhomes.ca/photos/the-dreamiest-basement-apartment-youll-ever-see-1902050/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">the dreamiest basement apartment you'll ever see</a> (trust us, it's <em>really</em> good).Scott McGillivrayThe Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivrayClean and Cozy
PHOTO 2 of 17READ LESS -A basement fireplace gets a clean bill of health with white paint and a new mantel. Modern couches and a graphic rug add cool factor.<br><br>Think this basement is nice? Check out <a href="https://www.greatcanadianhomes.ca/photos/the-dreamiest-basement-apartment-youll-ever-see-1902050/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">the dreamiest basement apartment you'll ever see</a> (trust us, it's <em>really</em> good).Photo Credit: HGTV
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I Like Your Accent
3/17I Like Your Accent
3/17Photo Credit: HGTV
A high, bright basement can handle a wall of pure pattern, so don't be afraid to get bold.Scott McGillivrayThe Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivrayI Like Your Accent
PHOTO 3 of 17READ LESS -A high, bright basement can handle a wall of pure pattern, so don't be afraid to get bold.Photo Credit: HGTV
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Barn Door Beauty
4/17Barn Door Beauty
4/17Photo Credit: HGTV
This sophisticated space, with its glam kitchen and pulled-from-Pinterest barn door, shakes up the stereotypical basement apartment.Scott McGillivrayThe Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivrayBarn Door Beauty
PHOTO 4 of 17READ LESS -This sophisticated space, with its glam kitchen and pulled-from-Pinterest barn door, shakes up the stereotypical basement apartment.Photo Credit: HGTV
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Living Room for Two
5/17Living Room for Two
5/17Photo Credit: HGTV
A cozy loveseat and outdoor-inspired side chair create a small seating area grounded by the bold rug which draws the eye in.Scott McGillivrayThe Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivrayLiving Room for Two
PHOTO 5 of 17READ LESS -A cozy loveseat and outdoor-inspired side chair create a small seating area grounded by the bold rug which draws the eye in.Photo Credit: HGTV
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Wood-n't You Want to Live Here?
6/17Wood-n't You Want to Live Here?
6/17Photo Credit: HGTV
Puns aside, this wooden accent wall is like a totally cool update on the paneled rec rooms of the seventies.Scott McGillivrayThe Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivrayWood-n't You Want to Live Here?
PHOTO 6 of 17READ LESS -Puns aside, this wooden accent wall is like a totally cool update on the paneled rec rooms of the seventies.Photo Credit: HGTV
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Storage, Storage Everywhere
7/17Storage, Storage Everywhere
7/17Photo Credit: HGTV
Yes, that's a small kitchen, but look closer. There's storage above the sofa, and built-ins all along the wall. Add modern decor and you've got the perfect pied a terre.Scott McGillivrayThe Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivrayStorage, Storage Everywhere
PHOTO 7 of 17READ LESS -Yes, that's a small kitchen, but look closer. There's storage above the sofa, and built-ins all along the wall. Add modern decor and you've got the perfect pied a terre.Photo Credit: HGTV
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Bring a Bit of Drama
8/17Bring a Bit of Drama
8/17Photo Credit: HGTV
A black, panelled wall isn't the first thing you think of when decorating a basement dining room, but this space proves that a big impact isn't off limits.Scott McGillivrayThe Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivrayBring a Bit of Drama
PHOTO 8 of 17READ LESS -A black, panelled wall isn't the first thing you think of when decorating a basement dining room, but this space proves that a big impact isn't off limits.Photo Credit: HGTV
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Trick of the Eye
9/17Trick of the Eye
9/17Photo Credit: HGTV
The chair rail brings the eye up, making this basement seem taller. A darker colour on the top half adds contrast.Scott McGillivrayThe Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivrayTrick of the Eye
PHOTO 9 of 17READ LESS -The chair rail brings the eye up, making this basement seem taller. A darker colour on the top half adds contrast.Photo Credit: HGTV
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You Can Do Traditional in a Basement
10/17You Can Do Traditional in a Basement
10/17Photo Credit: HGTV
If it wasn't for the basement-size windows, you'd never know this classic living room was underground -- but the windows feel five feet tall thanks to floor-to-ceiling drapery.Scott McGillivrayThe Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivrayYou Can Do Traditional in a Basement
PHOTO 10 of 17READ LESS -If it wasn't for the basement-size windows, you'd never know this classic living room was underground -- but the windows feel five feet tall thanks to floor-to-ceiling drapery.Photo Credit: HGTV
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Pick a Palette
11/17Pick a Palette
11/17Photo Credit: HGTV
Want to makesa small space feel put together in a hurry? Choose a palette and stick to it, like this yellow, black and neutral living room.Scott McGillivrayThe Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivrayPick a Palette
PHOTO 11 of 17READ LESS -Want to makesa small space feel put together in a hurry? Choose a palette and stick to it, like this yellow, black and neutral living room.Photo Credit: HGTV
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Cool and Contemporary
12/17Cool and Contemporary
12/17Photo Credit: HGTV
This is basically the most zen basement, ever. We love that sliding wooden screen for extra privacy.Scott McGillivrayThe Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivrayCool and Contemporary
PHOTO 12 of 17READ LESS -This is basically the most zen basement, ever. We love that sliding wooden screen for extra privacy.Photo Credit: HGTV
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Traditional With a Twist
13/17Traditional With a Twist
13/17Photo Credit: HGTV
The rolled arm sofa and nailhead-trim chairs say traditional, even a little bit formal. But the glass and bamboo coffee table says things aren't always what they seem.Scott McGillivrayThe Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivrayTraditional With a Twist
PHOTO 13 of 17READ LESS -The rolled arm sofa and nailhead-trim chairs say traditional, even a little bit formal. But the glass and bamboo coffee table says things aren't always what they seem.Photo Credit: HGTV
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Rethink Your Art Placement
14/17Rethink Your Art Placement
14/17Photo Credit: HGTV
When you're dealing with the typical basement windows, it can be tricky to figure out how to arrange larger scale art. Let Scott and his team do the thinking for you -- low-hanging art is the way to go.Scott McGillivrayThe Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivrayRethink Your Art Placement
PHOTO 14 of 17READ LESS -When you're dealing with the typical basement windows, it can be tricky to figure out how to arrange larger scale art. Let Scott and his team do the thinking for you -- low-hanging art is the way to go.Photo Credit: HGTV
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Open Concept Cutie
15/17Open Concept Cutie
15/17Photo Credit: HGTV
Placing the couch so the back is to the kitchen makes the entire space feel bigger, and creates the feeling of a separate living room.Scott McGillivrayThe Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivrayOpen Concept Cutie
PHOTO 15 of 17READ LESS -Placing the couch so the back is to the kitchen makes the entire space feel bigger, and creates the feeling of a separate living room.Photo Credit: HGTV
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One Room Becomes Two
16/17One Room Becomes Two
16/17Photo Credit: HGTV
A sleek daybed turns the office into a guest bedroom without sacrificing the space.Scott McGillivrayThe Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivrayOne Room Becomes Two
PHOTO 16 of 17READ LESS -A sleek daybed turns the office into a guest bedroom without sacrificing the space.Photo Credit: HGTV
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Light and Bright
17/17Light and Bright
17/17Photo Credit: HGTV
A light, neutral palette makes a basement apartment seem brighter. Just add a few accents in a soft pattern (like the chair and ottoman here) and you've got a finished space.<br><br>Is something stopping you from fixing up your basement? These <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/basements/photos/basement-dilemmas-solved-1913065/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">10 common basement dilemmas, solved</a> might help.Scott McGillivrayThe Very Best Basements by Scott McGillivrayLight and Bright
PHOTO 17 of 17READ LESS -A light, neutral palette makes a basement apartment seem brighter. Just add a few accents in a soft pattern (like the chair and ottoman here) and you've got a finished space.<br><br>Is something stopping you from fixing up your basement? These <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/basements/photos/basement-dilemmas-solved-1913065/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">10 common basement dilemmas, solved</a> might help.Photo Credit: HGTV
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