Basement Inspiration: Part I

Can you believe it's officially summer already? The temperatures around here definitely tell me that it is, but this year is just going way too fast. We haven't really done any big projects lately, but we manage to stay plenty busy with the usual everyday things--especially now the lawn & landscaping need a lot of attention.

So, since I don't have any completed projects to share this time, I thought I'd daydream blog about an ongoing project in the works: our unfinished basement (cue dramatic music). We're DIY-ing everything as much as we can, but I'm about ready to fork over the money and pay someone else to take over. Right now we have most of the framework finished, as well as part of the plumbing. We still have to finish putting insulation up on the ceiling and outer walls (a tedious task that neither of us is motivated to do), then electrical. None of this is very exciting to me.  I just want to get it done and get to the fun stuff quicker.  
Which is why I've been saving design ideas for our future finished basement (thank you, Pinterest). In case you're curious, the layout will include:
- 1 bedroom
- Office (or hobby/craft room)
- Living area
- Wet bar
- 3/4 bath
- Laundry room

Time for some pretty pictures now, yes? Here are just a few of the ideas I'm loving and may have to put to use in our own basement!

{ via Houzz.com }

A tile backsplash like this one would add a little sparkle and style in the bathroom.

{ via Roomzaar.com }

Our bathroom will be pretty small, so some additional shelving above the toilet would help utilize the vertical space and provide more storage.

{ via How-Do-It.com }

Another way we'll make the small bathroom feel larger... use a glass door for the shower so we don't visually close off that extra space.

{ via woatile.com }

Love this idea for somewhere to put all those bottles in the shower. Built-in nooks that don't take up space!

{ via iheartorganizing.blogspot.com }

Um, this is amazing, but let's be real, my laundry room will never look like this. In fact, we'll probably keep the laundry space unfinished. But a girl can dream.

{ via ??? }

Now, this is much more practical. We already have a cabinet above our washing machine, but it would also be nice to have a rod for hanging clothes. 

{ via HiddenPassages.com }

You've probably already seen this clever idea on Pinterest. We could use a door like this to close off the area underneath the staircase which will be used for storage. I love that it's a door disguised as a bookcase!

{ via adorable-decor.com }

Speaking of storage space... I could only hope to be this organized some day! A shelf unit like this would be ideal--and out of sight--in our laundry room. (Now, where is the best place to find cheap tubs??)

{ via startupchamp.com }

These recessed outlets allow you to put furniture flat against the wall, saving valuable inches - genius! We could easily put these in our basement since the electrical work has yet to be done.

I just realized how long this post is getting and I've only covered the bathroom, laundry room, and storage ideas.  Looks like I'll save my bedroom, office, and living room inspiration for next time! 

The basement is definitely the biggest, most daunting project facing us right now... what's yours?