quick/dirty/easy way to partially finish a basement?

[Homerboy]

Due to some recent health issues, or 22 year old son will be moving home for a bit. Because of the situation, he will be taking the fall semester off to ramp up his studying for the MCAT exam. That leaves him back home for several months. The problem is, we don't have a bedroom for him.

I hoping to have him temporarily reside in the corner of our basement, but it's going to take some time to make it habitable I think. 80 year old house, cinder block walls, concrete floors. Yes, there is an egress window, but in all honesty, due to his physical limitations (just had his spinal fusion rods replaced hence the medical hangup) climbing out the window would be impossible.

Anyways, that loophole aside, my thought was to paint the cider block so it's brighter (some ancient mint-green right now), toss up 2 simple stud walls to form a "room" in the corner. and just toss some 4x8 wood panels on the stud walls and paint those white as well. Maybe shoot the ceiling too with some paint to brighten it up some more as well. Get some cheap carpet and pad and toss it down. Somehow rig up some electrical (PC, PS5 and lights I guess). My point is, it doesn't have to be pretty or perfect by any stretch of the imagination. Just a place for a 22 year old to recover, study, hangout and "live" for a while.

I'm really just spit balling here right now and looking for any ideas, tips, tricks, links... anything.

At best (worst?) assuming he gets into medical school nearby, he might end up living with us during that as well, so this could be used for greater length if those chips fall into place.

 

[lxskllr]

Less is more imo. Painted cinderblock will always look institutional. Instead of hiding it with paint, accept it. A throw rug is better than cheap wall to wall. Go for the industrial look. If it were me, I'd use a lot of roughcut lumber(think pallet material), and iron fittings. Lighting goes a long way. Amber, not white.

A lot depends on what your boy likes, and no one but you and the wife will really know that. There's virtually no way to make a basement pretty, so work with the ugly to make it interesting.

 

[Homerboy]

Less is more imo. Painted cinderblock will always look institutional. Instead of hiding it with paint, accept it. A throw rug is better than cheap wall to wall. Go for the industrial look. If it were me, I'd use a lot of roughcut lumber(think pallet material), and iron fittings. Lighting goes a long way. Amber, not white.

A lot depends on what your boy likes, and no one but you and the wife will really know that. There's virtually no way to make a basement pretty, so work with the ugly to make it interesting.

Understood - I guess that's my point though. Esthetics is honestly the LAST concern. He won't be entertaining guests or anything, and if you would have seen the college apartments he's lived in these past few years, the unfished basement next to the cat litterboxes would be in an improvement

I guess I'm wondering what, if anything I need to do to the cider block. I'm pretty sure there are "basement wall" paints that will be fitting for moisture etc (for a 80 year old basement it's very dry. Have had some issues in EXTREME downpours and my downspouts weren't up to the task) And just basic 2x4 stud walls? I'm not sure how to handle electric either. Just tossing down some extension cords with surge protectors seems...not ideal?

 

[GodisanAtheist]

IMO aesthetics should be a bit of a concern. If your boy is living down there and maybe already going through some stuff given his situation, literally living in his parents basement isn't going to do wonders for his mental health and every little bit helps.

Pony up a little for an electrician to run some wiring down there, make sure you get some wood and other "warm" elements into the space. Faux floor for an air gap to keep things a bit warmer, use proper wood rather than particle board wherever possible.

Make sure he has some privacy (so even if you don't do the whole basement, make sure his little corner is a proper room).

 

[herm0016]

2x4 stud walls with some paneling sounds good. should be easy to run some Romex and make up a few outlets in the stud walls, but that depends on your skills. you can staple up some drop clothes for a celing, that will help a bit. maybe a ceiling fan? depending on height. or just lamps. big rug. I think you are on the right track. you may look on craigslist or similar for someone redoing their house. we sold all the carpet, appliances, kitchen, and more to one person on CL for about 1k that was redoing a basement when we were doing our house. you can probably find some decent carpet and pad, maybe the lumber and some paneling cheap.

 

[BoomerD]

2x4 stud walls with some paneling sounds good. should be easy to run some Romex and make up a few outlets in the stud walls, but that depends on your skills. you can staple up some drop clothes for a celing, that will help a bit. maybe a ceiling fan? depending on height. or just lamps. big rug. I think you are on the right track. you may look on craigslist or similar for someone redoing their house. we sold all the carpet, appliances, kitchen, and more to one person on CL for about 1k that was redoing a basement when we were doing our house. you can probably find some decent carpet and pad, maybe the lumber and some paneling cheap.

All good suggestions...plus, if it was me, I'd consider framing up a wall for the cinder block walls. A good construction adhesive should hold the studs in place. You COULD probably get by with 1x2 furring strips, but IMO, those limit what you put up for walls.

 

[Homerboy]

All good suggestions...plus, if it was me, I'd consider framing up a wall for the cinder block walls. A good construction adhesive should hold the studs in place. You COULD probably get by with 1x2 furring strips, but IMO, those limit what you put up for walls.

This was a thought I had as well instead of just leaving the cinder block.
Are you saying glue the studs to the cinder block? Why not just build a traditional stud wall with a floor plate etc? that part confused me.

What do I do to that cider block if I do build a wall? Just leave as is? Should insulate or just let it breathe naturally?
I could do the furring strips I guess that would just be glued to the cider block and then the wood panels onto the furring strips? Is that what you had in mind?

I might try to find some electrician to do a side job that could run some romex as @herm0016 suggested - get some real outlets in the walls I end up building...

 

[Greenman]

You really need to decide on the end result before you start building, the six P's apply.
Does the basement get cold? Will heat be required?
Is there proper ventilation?
What's the ceiling height?
Are you going to install a door into the space?
Is there Radon present?
Because of his disability, a smoke detector is an absolute requirement. CO2 as well if there is a combustion source in the basement.
The electrical is elementary, there are a few of us here who could walk you through it.

 

[BoomerD]

This was a thought I had as well instead of just leaving the cinder block.
Are you saying glue the studs to the cinder block? Why not just build a traditional stud wall with a floor plate etc? that part confused me.

What do I do to that cider block if I do build a wall? Just leave as is? Should insulate or just let it breathe naturally?
I could do the furring strips I guess that would just be glued to the cider block and then the wood panels onto the furring strips? Is that what you had in mind?

I might try to find some electrician to do a side job that could run some romex as @herm0016 suggested - get some real outlets in the walls I end up building...

1. Yes, build a wall...bottom plate, top plate, depending on your ground water situation, glue the bottom plate to the floor (or drill the concrete and put in anchor bolts of whatever type) use adhesive to hold the studs in place to the wall.
If you do the furring strips and paneling, you'll need to completely box in the wall...top, bottom, "stud" spacing not more than 16".

I AM NOT a contractor...just a "cobble it together" DIYer.
Trust Greenman's advice MUCH more than mine.

 

[skyking]

IF the basement is not popcorn fart dry, furring in a wall and sealing it is making a place to grow mold, eventually. Be careful with that. If you want to go KISS I'd leave the block to breathe, and put wiring etc into the partition walls.

 

[BoomerD]

IF the basement is not popcorn fart dry, furring in a wall and sealing it is making a place to grow mold, eventually. Be careful with that. If you want to go KISS I'd leave the block to breathe, and put wiring etc into the partition walls.

Agreed.

 

[Homerboy]

IF the basement is not popcorn fart dry, furring in a wall and sealing it is making a place to grow mold, eventually. Be careful with that. If you want to go KISS I'd leave the block to breathe, and put wiring etc into the partition walls.

Honestly, this was my thought as well (and less work/money for me overall). Just slap some paint (isn't there a special, breathable paint?) on them to brighten and clean them up.
We're still debating on what to do/when etc, so keep the ideas coming. If we do go this route I have A LOT of moving/organizing and such to do. Ugh.

 

[Homerboy]

You really need to decide on the end result before you start building, the six P's apply.
Does the basement get cold? Will heat be required?
Is there proper ventilation?
What's the ceiling height?
Are you going to install a door into the space?
Is there Radon present?
Because of his disability, a smoke detector is an absolute requirement. CO2 as well if there is a combustion source in the basement.
The electrical is elementary, there are a few of us here who could walk you through it.

Basement is pretty even temperature throughout the year. On the coldest of days it will get a bit chilly. There's an old 8" duct that I could probably punch a hole in if needed. Actually have a friend of a friend who does HVAC as well.
Ceiling height is prob right over 7' give or take. Son is tall (6'5") so it's tight. The spot I'd corner off is a consistent height versus other areas where ducts and pipes and returns cut into the height.
Door would likley be installed
Basement is clear of radon and CO2. Regardless, would get an updated unit to warn of those along with smoke detector too. That's a no-brainer for sure.

 

[Greenman]

That all seems straight forward. I'd frame walls an inch or so away from the block walls and drywall them. That makes electrical really simple. Run a 20amp circuit into the area in case he needs a space heater, use a hardwired smoke/co2 detector in the room and in the basement, and a hollow core door. The only part requiring any skill is floating out the drywall, and even that isn't all that tough. Some LVP on the floor, some trim, and Bob's your uncle.
If it's a very small space you might consider a small wall mounted fan to circulate fresh air.

Disclaimer (because I'm a professional and feel that I have to point it out).
This is an entirely bootleg operation. None of it will meet IRC or be considered habitable, and in the case of a fire it could lead to a fatality.