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A bathroom is one of the most useful things you can add when you finish a basement. It means guests don't have to head upstairs, kids can play downstairs all afternoon, and a lower-level guest suite or game room finally feels complete. It's also one of the more involved parts of a basement project, because water has to get in and out of a space that sits below the rest of the house. Here's what Lake Country homeowners should know before they start. Start with how you'll use i

If you're planning a basement bedroom, guest suite or a lower level your family will use every day, an egress window is likely part of the conversation. It's one of the most important safety features in a finished basement, and when it's planned well, it can also bring in natural light that makes the space feel like part of the home. Here's what Lake Country homeowners should know before they start. What is an egress window? An egress window is a window large enough for a per

A basement bar turns a lower level from extra space into the place everyone wants to be. It's where you host game day, pour a drink after a long week, or keep snacks close for movie night. The best basement bars feel like they were always part of the home, not an afterthought tucked in a corner. Here are the ideas we use most often, with three real lower levels from around Lake Country to show how they come together. Start with how you'll use it Before choosing cabinets or co

From comfortable family rooms to custom entertaining spaces, here's what Lake Country homeowners can expect to invest in a finished lower level in 2026.

Choosing the best flooring for a basement in Wisconsin comes down to one thing above all else: how well it handles moisture and cold. Lower levels sit against the ground year-round, so a floor that looks beautiful in a main-level living room can warp, smell musty or feel icy underfoot below grade. The good news is that today's materials make it possible to create a lower level that feels just as warm and finished as the rest of your home. Here's how the most popular options c

At a glance: Basement finish · Muskego, WI · Golf simulator, full kitchen, theater area, gym & full bath · 2025 NARI Remodeler of the Year Silver Award The story This was an unfinished basement with exposed mechanicals and poured concrete walls, plus a 2-foot drop the homeowners had planned for a full-swing golf simulator. As avid golfers in a state where the season lasts about six months, they wanted a place to play year-round as a family, along with room to entertain, work

At a glance: Full lower level finish · Lisbon, WI · Wet bar, living area, playroom, gym, guest suite & full bath The story The homeowners had an unfinished basement and a growing list of things their family needed: a place to entertain, room for the kids to play, a dedicated space to work out, and somewhere comfortable for overnight guests. They wanted all of it to feel like a natural extension of their main level, not a basement. Drag to see the before and after. The design

At a glance: Lower level remodel · Hartland, WI · Wet bar, family room, bedroom/den, playroom & bath The story This lower level was a collection of disconnected rooms around one large, unassigned space, with painted brick-pattern concrete walls, a drop ceiling, and storage shelving as the first thing guests saw. The homeowners wanted it to feel as finished and inviting as the rest of their home, a space the whole family would use every day. Drag to see the before and after. T

Think a golf simulator is beyond your reach? You might be surprised! Lower prices, more options: Home golf simulators are growing in popularity. Imagine playing nine holes on a snowy winter day without leaving your home — and getting pro tips along the way. That’s exactly what a golf simulator is doing for more and more homeowners. As the price of simulators have come within closer reach — how close depends on size and the number of special features, among other factors — the