Making the most of your home
From Basement Playroom to Dream Entertainment Space: A Basement Transformation in Overland Park, Kansas
When our clients reached out to redesign their basement, they had a simple goal in mind: convert a playroom into a family room and add a bathroom. But what started as a modest project quickly grew into an expansive multi-purpose entertainment space, designed to match the vibrant, social lifestyle of this energetic family who loves to play, relax, and entertain.
A Vision for Functionality and Fun
After an in-depth consultation, it became clear that to truly meet our clients’ needs, we would have to expand into the unfinished section of their adjacent basement. The result? A beautifully designed family room complete with a cozy fireplace and kitchenette, an elegant bathroom with a luxurious shower to rinse off after a swim, and a multi-purpose room that offers the perfect setting for everything from playing cards to doing laundry after a day by the pool.
This project was all about creating a functional and stylish space for a family that loves to entertain, while retaining the rustic charm of the home. We carefully incorporated existing materials like stone, brick, and wood flooring, along with architectural features such as arched doorways and exposed ceiling beams. The rustic elements were complemented by modern design touches, creating a seamless blend of old and new.
Bringing the Outdoors In.
The family room serves as the central hub of this new entertainment space, offering direct access to the backyard pool and outdoor kitchen through large, stackable sliding doors. These doors completely remove the boundary between the indoor and outdoor areas, allowing guests to easily move between the spaces without missing a beat. Whether it’s lounging by the pool or watching a sporting event on the TV, this seamless flow enhances the indoor-outdoor experience.
To create a welcoming environment for guests, we added a bar-height console and additional seating near the kitchenette, making it a perfect spot for watching games or enjoying drinks. The family room also doubles as a space for extra guests, featuring a comfortable sleeper sofa upholstered in performance fabric that’s both stylish and durable — ready to handle damp towels and poolside fun.
Designing a Space for Play and Practicality.
One of the biggest challenges of this transformation was balancing the room’s multi-functional needs while maintaining a cohesive design. The game area needed to accommodate two large video games, a game table, and also provide a laundry area. Our solution was to integrate a custom-built game table that extends to provide ample play space, along with a cleverly designed laundry zone. This included a folding center, hidden trash, storage, and even a stacked washer and dryer, all tucked into beautiful cabinetry with LED task lighting. The result? A playful, organized space where function meets fun.
A Hallway With a Story to Tell. The hallway that connects the family room to the game room posed another design challenge. Narrow and slightly awkward due to structural and mechanical constraints, we decided to embrace the unique shape and turn it into a feature. We installed a barrel ceiling adorned with fiber optic twinkle lights, creating the feel of an outdoor corridor. The addition of a brick veneer and themed artwork that guides guests down the hall added visual interest and anticipation as they made their way to the game room.
A Poolside Oasis.
The bathroom, designed to serve the outdoor pool area, was transformed from an underutilized corner into a luxurious oasis. We repurposed a small, awkward space to create a large, inviting shower with a curved wall and wood beam, featuring both a rain-head and handheld shower. The design continues the indoor-outdoor theme, with pebble shower walls and encaustic-style floor tiles that evoke the feel of an outdoor French patio. Vintage swim-themed artwork completes the space, adding a playful touch that ties everything together.
A Fresh Take on a Classic Home. This basement transformation took the traditional French country style of the home and gave it a modern, eclectic twist. The result is a fresh, playful entertainment space that is perfect for this active family — whether they’re relaxing by the fireplace, playing games, or entertaining poolside.
If you’re dreaming of a basement that serves as more than just a playroom, we’d love to help you create a space that’s as functional as it is fun. With thoughtful design and clever use of space, your basement can become the entertainment hub of your home, tailored to your unique lifestyle.