The layout and design of your home will be a deciding factor in the basement floor plans you can choose from when finishing your basement. An unfinished basement in a ranch style home probably will offer the most space to work with when remodeling a basement. Basement floor plans are available for you to look at online. If these do not provide you with enough basement ideas, you can purchase basement floor plans software or books to help you with the process.

When looking at plans, check for basement flooring ideas. Basement flooring is a major expense and part of your basement remodeling ideas. Some basement flooring ideas are better than others. Here is a list of some of the most common options available to you and their benefits/pitfalls.

Basement Floor Finishing Ideas

• Paint

This is the easiest and cheapest route you can choose to cover your concrete basement floor. You may need to finish off your concrete with some concrete finisher. You will want to choose a paint that is specifically for concrete floors. Add some decorative rugs and you have a finished floor that is durable and economical. It will also hold up if you ever have a moisture or water problem in your basement.

• Sheet Vinyl or Linoleum

This is an inexpensive but easy to install alternative.

• Laminate flooring

Laminate flooring does require more time and effort to install but the results can be amazing. You can get the wood ‘look’ floor without the cost of buying the wood and you won’t have to worry about the wood getting moisture damage.

• Interlocking Rubber Tile

This option is especially good if your basement has a utilitarian function or if moisture in your basement is a real concern.

• Hardwood

Hardwood is only recommended for completely dry finished basement floor plans.

• Indoor/Outdoor Carpet

Another good choice for durability, low cost and ease of installation. You can get a wide variety of decorative indoor/outdoor carpets these days.

• Regular Carpet

Standard carpet is another basement flooring idea for dry and finished basements.

• Berber Carpet – A durable and easy to maintain carpet for a dry basement.
• Vinyl Tile – You can achieve a decorative pattern that is easy to install.
• Ceramic Tile – A more expensive option, but very beautiful.

Most of these floor finishes will need an underlayment for padding. Installing padding will give a softer warmer feel to your basement flooring. While you are considering an underlayment, it might be a good time to look at a radiant heat system for your basement floor. A radiant heat system requires you to build a subfloor and install a heat system under it. You will be able to heat your basement with it and have a warm floor to walk on. The radiant heat floor system may help with the heating in the main part of your house as well.

You should research all your options for covering your basement floor. Coverings that work best will be those that are affordable and fit well with your intended use of your basement. If you are on a strict budget you can always paint your basement floor plans to cover it with something else later on.