How To Turn Your Basement Into An Apartment

Making your basement into an apartment is a great idea for varying reasons: it raises the property value of your investment, you can rent it out to subsidize your income, you can house guests and family/friends, or you can just use it to expand your home. It can take time if done properly, but the end result is obviously totally worth it. There are many ways and methods how you would alter a basement into an apartment but here are just a few integral approaches to get you started in 2024.

Entrance/Exit

Make sure your basement apartment has a legal and dedicated exit. This ease of access is extremely important in case of an emergency, but also serves as a simple entrance/exit if you are subletting this spot to a tenant. Having minimal contact from landlord and tenant is ideal for any renting relationship.

Windows

Natural light is key to any room, but especially for a basement. If not enough light is coming in, you can have supplementary windows installed along an outside wall in order to create a legal basement apartment.

Washrooms

A bathroom is pretty essential for any home – for obvious reasons. If you are installing one from scratch, you’ll have to run new plumbing lines. Being in touch with the building codes would be a prudent idea as head space over the toilet and electrical units can be an issue.  

Finishing

And lastly, the easiest way to make your basement feel like an apartment is to update the furnishing. Making it aesthetically appealing is a simple step to making it feel like a home, and removing the damp, cold vibe a basement may give off.  Painting the walls and adding an area rug are 2 relatively inexpensive steps.