By Paul A. Achoa

A dull, dank unfinished concrete dungeon doesn’t do much for a home. Fortunately, there are some basement flooring options that can add real property value if you take the right angle. Beautification won’t be enough; to increase your house’s worth, you’ll need to put the room to use.

Start by Finishing the Room

If you’ve got the money, you can finish your basement with drywall, wood floors or tiling. Unfortunately, many homeowners can’t afford to invest this type of money into their home. If you’re on a budget, you can prime and paint the walls and apply one of the concrete floor coatings available at your local home improvement store. This sort of do-it-yourself strategy can save you a lot of money, and you’d be amazed how much it can change the look of a dull, ugly basement.

Adding Property Value

Although they can enhance the appearance of a room, wall paint and indoor concrete floor finishes will not add much value to your house unless you use the room for the right purpose. To increase property value, you’ll need to make the room functional. By turning the basement into an office or spare bedroom, you will actually get a higher appraisal if you ever decide to sell your home. You can also accomplish this by turning it into a study or entertainment room; however, you’ll get the most value if you turn the basement into an apartment. This way, you can actually draw income from it, which can help offset your mortgage payments and attract buyers who might be interested in the same benefits.

Considerations

Although there are several basement flooring options available, some increase value more than others. Epoxy and paint coatings won’t increase value like hardwood and expensive tile; however, the cost of these upgrades should always be weighed against the benefits. For homeowners on a budget, floor finishes tend to make more sense than expensive flooring upgrades.