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When tasked with converting a compact, cave-like basement into an inviting guest suite for family, contractor Sebastian Clovis and designer Samantha Pynn had their work cut out for them. By using creative ideas smart construction ideas, the Save My Reno team was able to open up the space — while sticking to a tight budget.
Save My Reno airs Tuesdays at 9 and 9:30PM e/p on HGTV Canada and on HGTV.ca.
Save My Reno
How Save My Reno Turns a Tight Basement Into an Airy Guest Suite
February 19, 2020
When tasked with converting a compact, cave-like basement into an inviting guest suite for family, contractor Sebastian Clovis and designer Samantha Pynn had their work cut out for them. By using creative ideas smart construction ideas, the Save My Reno team was able to open up the space — while sticking to a tight budget.
Save My Reno airs Tuesdays at 9 and 9:30PM e/p on HGTV Canada and on HGTV.ca.
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Finding Space for Family
1/12Finding Space for Family
1/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Homeowners Hannah and Daniel were looking forward to having a place for their parents to stay with them, but their super-compact basement was far from welcoming thanks to low ceilings, dark design and potential water issues. With a $40,000 budget to renovate their home's entryway and create a new guest suite, they needed the <em>Save My Reno</em> team's help. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/basements/photos/basement-renovations-thatll-blow-you-away-1924212/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">30 Basement Renovations That'll Blow You Away</a>Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Turns a Tight Basement Into an Airy Guest SuiteFinding Space for Family
PHOTO 1 of 12READ LESS -Homeowners Hannah and Daniel were looking forward to having a place for their parents to stay with them, but their super-compact basement was far from welcoming thanks to low ceilings, dark design and potential water issues. With a $40,000 budget to renovate their home's entryway and create a new guest suite, they needed the <em>Save My Reno</em> team's help. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/basements/photos/basement-renovations-thatll-blow-you-away-1924212/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">30 Basement Renovations That'll Blow You Away</a>Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Not So Welcoming
2/12Not So Welcoming
2/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
The entryway and mudroom that led into the basement suite before the <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/save-my-reno/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Save My Reno</a> </em>crew arrived forced the family to walk in to a messy situation with rickety stairs, outdated tile and a lack of storage. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/renovations/photos/mudroom-design-ideas-1933801/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Winter is Coming: 16 Mudroom Design Ideas</a>Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Turns a Tight Basement Into an Airy Guest SuiteNot So Welcoming
PHOTO 2 of 12READ LESS -The entryway and mudroom that led into the basement suite before the <em><a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/save-my-reno/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Save My Reno</a> </em>crew arrived forced the family to walk in to a messy situation with rickety stairs, outdated tile and a lack of storage. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/renovations/photos/mudroom-design-ideas-1933801/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Winter is Coming: 16 Mudroom Design Ideas</a>Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Making an Entrance
3/12Making an Entrance
3/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
By clearing out the clutter — including an extra washing machine that wasn't needed — the team was able to create a cozy, welcoming and functional entryway. Fresh white paint makes the space feel bigger, while a custom storage unit keeps shoes and coats beautifully organized.Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Turns a Tight Basement Into an Airy Guest SuiteMaking an Entrance
PHOTO 3 of 12READ LESS -By clearing out the clutter — including an extra washing machine that wasn't needed — the team was able to create a cozy, welcoming and functional entryway. Fresh white paint makes the space feel bigger, while a custom storage unit keeps shoes and coats beautifully organized.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Saving the Stairs
4/12Saving the Stairs
4/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
The staircase in the entryway had seen better days, but it didn't necessarily need to be discarded. To save costs and create a design-enhancing look, <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/save-my-reno/videos/diy-stair-refurbish-/bb07dfc0-5321-11ea-b808-0e0ccc8a1e08/">Samantha and Hannah completely refurbished the existing staircase by sanding and painting it</a> in a bright mix of blue and white.Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Turns a Tight Basement Into an Airy Guest SuiteSaving the Stairs
PHOTO 4 of 12READ LESS -The staircase in the entryway had seen better days, but it didn't necessarily need to be discarded. To save costs and create a design-enhancing look, <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/save-my-reno/videos/diy-stair-refurbish-/bb07dfc0-5321-11ea-b808-0e0ccc8a1e08/">Samantha and Hannah completely refurbished the existing staircase by sanding and painting it</a> in a bright mix of blue and white.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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A Tight Fit
5/12A Tight Fit
5/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Downstairs, the basement felt tight in multiple ways, with dark walls, old flooring and low ceilings that barely fit the team. Making the basement a bowling alley seemed like a possible solution. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/basements/photos/cost-to-lower-basement-common-basement-questions-1929736/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How Much Does it Cost to Lower a Basement? And Other Common Basement Questions</a>Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Turns a Tight Basement Into an Airy Guest SuiteA Tight Fit
PHOTO 5 of 12READ LESS -Downstairs, the basement felt tight in multiple ways, with dark walls, old flooring and low ceilings that barely fit the team. Making the basement a bowling alley seemed like a possible solution. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/basements/photos/cost-to-lower-basement-common-basement-questions-1929736/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How Much Does it Cost to Lower a Basement? And Other Common Basement Questions</a>Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Waterproof Wonders
6/12Waterproof Wonders
6/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
One of the most important elements of Hannah and Daniel's reno was something that can't been seen — waterproofing the basement. To meet this challenge, the <em>Save My Reno</em> team installed a cost-effective internal weeping tile system, which adds drainage and keeps water away from the home. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/basements/photos/ways-to-prevent-flooded-basement-1904127/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10 Ways to Prevent a Flooded Basement</a>Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Turns a Tight Basement Into an Airy Guest SuiteWaterproof Wonders
PHOTO 6 of 12READ LESS -One of the most important elements of Hannah and Daniel's reno was something that can't been seen — waterproofing the basement. To meet this challenge, the <em>Save My Reno</em> team installed a cost-effective internal weeping tile system, which adds drainage and keeps water away from the home. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/basements/photos/ways-to-prevent-flooded-basement-1904127/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10 Ways to Prevent a Flooded Basement</a>Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Raising the Roof
7/12Raising the Roof
7/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Samantha and Sebastian used all their best tricks and tools to make the tight basement appear bigger and more inviting: They used white paint to give the entire space — walls and ceiling — an open feeling, removed unnecessary ceiling moulding and installed pot lights. They also added wood-look vinyl floors for a thinner, more flexible and cost-effective flooring solution. The result? The basement feels taller without expensive construction or underpinning the floor. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/basements/photos/20-easy-ways-to-brighten-up-a-dark-basement-1912447/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">25 Easy Ways to Brighten Up a Dark Basement</a>Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Turns a Tight Basement Into an Airy Guest SuiteRaising the Roof
PHOTO 7 of 12READ LESS -Samantha and Sebastian used all their best tricks and tools to make the tight basement appear bigger and more inviting: They used white paint to give the entire space — walls and ceiling — an open feeling, removed unnecessary ceiling moulding and installed pot lights. They also added wood-look vinyl floors for a thinner, more flexible and cost-effective flooring solution. The result? The basement feels taller without expensive construction or underpinning the floor. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/basements/photos/20-easy-ways-to-brighten-up-a-dark-basement-1912447/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">25 Easy Ways to Brighten Up a Dark Basement</a>Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Dark and Damp
8/12Dark and Damp
8/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
The bathroom was dark, damp and dingy. Not helping the situation, the bathroom vent was blowing air into the room, instead of pulling air out — creating a mildew situation. This was a room in need of more than a little attention.Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Turns a Tight Basement Into an Airy Guest SuiteDark and Damp
PHOTO 8 of 12READ LESS -The bathroom was dark, damp and dingy. Not helping the situation, the bathroom vent was blowing air into the room, instead of pulling air out — creating a mildew situation. This was a room in need of more than a little attention.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Clean and Fresh
9/12Clean and Fresh
9/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Even though the team found some mold, it was minimal — so the team was able to deal with it before it got worse. They then refreshed the room with a big double-sink vanity, modern lighting and new flooring. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/holmes-makes-it-right/blog/ask-mike-holmes-how-do-i-know-if-theres-mould-in-a-house-28408/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mike Holmes on how to tell if there is mould in your home. </a>Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Turns a Tight Basement Into an Airy Guest SuiteClean and Fresh
PHOTO 9 of 12READ LESS -Even though the team found some mold, it was minimal — so the team was able to deal with it before it got worse. They then refreshed the room with a big double-sink vanity, modern lighting and new flooring. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/holmes-makes-it-right/blog/ask-mike-holmes-how-do-i-know-if-theres-mould-in-a-house-28408/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mike Holmes on how to tell if there is mould in your home. </a>Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Standing Room
10/12Standing Room
10/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
A spacious shower with classic white subway-tile-walls creates the look of more space. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/bathrooms/photos/favourite-bathroom-renovations-from-hgtv-shows-1934009/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10 of Our Favourite 2019 Bathroom Renovations From HGTV Shows</a>Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Turns a Tight Basement Into an Airy Guest SuiteStanding Room
PHOTO 10 of 12READ LESS -A spacious shower with classic white subway-tile-walls creates the look of more space. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/bathrooms/photos/favourite-bathroom-renovations-from-hgtv-shows-1934009/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">10 of Our Favourite 2019 Bathroom Renovations From HGTV Shows</a>Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Shower in Style
11/12Shower in Style
11/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Contemporary grey geometric tile creates modern contrast and adds dimension to the shower floor.Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Turns a Tight Basement Into an Airy Guest SuiteShower in Style
PHOTO 11 of 12READ LESS -Contemporary grey geometric tile creates modern contrast and adds dimension to the shower floor.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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A Better Bedroom
12/12A Better Bedroom
12/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
The team made the once-dark basement bedroom into an oasis fit for Daniel and Hannah's parents. In addition to following the beachy white, grey and blue colour scheme, the team added a wood-like-wallpaper feature wall behind the bed. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/bedrooms/photos/steal-worthy-bedroom-decorating-ideas-1924403/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">20 Steal-Worthy Bedroom Decorating Ideas</a>Save My RenoHow Save My Reno Turns a Tight Basement Into an Airy Guest SuiteA Better Bedroom
PHOTO 12 of 12READ LESS -The team made the once-dark basement bedroom into an oasis fit for Daniel and Hannah's parents. In addition to following the beachy white, grey and blue colour scheme, the team added a wood-like-wallpaper feature wall behind the bed. <br><br>Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/bedrooms/photos/steal-worthy-bedroom-decorating-ideas-1924403/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">20 Steal-Worthy Bedroom Decorating Ideas</a>Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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