If you have a basement, especially one that has its own exit to the outdoors, you might think about renting that basement out on Airbnb. If your basement is currently completely unfinished, this may seem like a monumental task, but it’s not as difficult as it might sound at first.
Follow this guide and get a great professional and your basement can look just as good as the coolest basements on Airbnb.
1. Waterproof the Basement
First and foremost, it’s mandatory that you waterproof your basement. Because the basement is largely underground, even if it’s not completely underground, it’s dealing with a lot of hydrostatic pressure. This is pressure from the water that’s in the earth, even when it hasn’t rained. When it does rain, that pressure can get even more tremendous. Waterproofing ensures that your guests don’t deal with sopping wet floors.
2. Design the Basement
Before you proceed, it’s a good idea to design the basement. What do you want it to look like? Do you want there to be intentionally unfinished elements, or would you rather it look exactly like an aboveground room? Do you want to add extra walls, or do you want the basement to just be an open area? Planning this first can help you in the finishing process.
3. Finish the Basement
The next step is “finishing” the basement. For most basements, this means installing drywall, adding a ceiling of some kind, and possibly adding flooring. This doesn’t mean that the basement is completely finished, but it does mean that the basement looks like a passable room. If you’re intentionally leaving some elements unfinished or you’re adding extra walls, you’ll do it in this step.
4. Lay Down the Basics
Next, you’ll lay down the most basic parts of the design. This includes things like painting the walls, setting up furniture, and ensuring the doors look good, including doors you’ve added inside the basement. By focusing on the basics first, you’ll make sure that the foundation of the basement is strong before you add on extra accessories and designs.
5. Add Extras
This is the last step, and it’s probably the most important for Airbnb basements. What are the special extras that your basement can offer Airbnb clients? Do you plan to have a TV with game consoles hooked up to it? Do you want to stock a bar with everything but the alcohol, so your visitors can bring their own and make themselves mixed drinks? These extras will make your basement really shine and make it more likely for people to book your basement.
Conclusion
Taking your basement from fully unfinished to Airbnb-ready isn’t as difficult as it might seem. However, it is important to have a competent contractor with you to complete many of these steps. Some of the steps are crucial and will keep people safe when they stay in your Airbnb. With the help of a basement repair expert, you can make your basement picture-perfect more quickly than you would have ever imagined.
