If your West Vancouver home lacks space, building out or up are the obvious solutions. But, what if neighbourhood restrictions make it impossible to build up and a smaller lot size limits your ability to build out? Is moving the only solution? Some ingenious designers think that is should not be, and they have come up with some creative ways to go underground and increase the space in your home without simply adding the traditional basement.
Underground temperature controlled rooms, gymnasiums and basketball courts, indoor lap pools and even bunkers that take your family off the grid are just a few of the astounding ideas that have come from the creative minds of homeowners and design professionals.
Basketball Courts and Gymnasiums
If your home is full of active kids, both your own and half the neighbourhood’s, how do you keep your sanity while still giving them space to play? How about by adding an underground basketball court to your yard?
While few families want to completely sacrifice their West Vancouver outdoor living spaces to make room for a half or full court, finding the room underground is a different story. The excavation alone will likely cost you a pretty penny, but the money will be well spent for a space that is easy to enjoy and helps to keep your entire family active year round.
Storage
When your West Vancouver home has smaller rooms and limited storage space, raising the floor to allow room underneath is an ingenious idea. This option can either be incorporated into a custom built home from the get go, or an existing home can be renovated to allow for the underground storage space. Use the area for toy storage, extra linens or even household tools.
While it likely won’t be deep unless you do some serious excavating, underground storage will help to clear some clutter from your rooms while still giving you an easily accessible area for keeping all those extras that often get in the way.
A Space for Wine Lovers
Speaking of storage, if you are a wine buff, finding room for a full fledged wine cellar in your West Vancouver home may be difficult. While few design professionals can create extra square footage when you have none, adding in a small underground wine storage area isn’t usually too difficult.
This area can be incorporated beneath the kitchen, simply by extending an existing basement, or a smaller sized excavation can help you to create a temperature controlled cellar outside. Think of how impressed your friends will be when you are dining in your outdoor living space and simply reach underground to grab your favorite bottle of blush or merlot.
Underground Pool
While you are considering a use for your underground space, why not go really big and add a swimming pool? While this is a more challenging project and probably needs the help of a skylight or two to keep the room airy and bright, it’s a great way to give your family a fun indoor area that even allows for swimming in the most frigid winter temperatures.
Underground living takes on a new dimension with these innovative ideas for how to use the space. You aren’t limited to what we have presented here either. There are lots more ideas to explore and endless possibilities with the help of a skilled and well qualified West Vancouver general contractor!