There’s something about a basement, set away from the rest of the house, which reinforces gathering and bonding time. Perhaps because it’s tucked away, meaning that not just anyone will enter and spend time there. Perhaps it’s because homeowners feel a little more freedom to truly express themselves in a room that’s out of the “public” eye. Or perhaps it’s simply because all of us need a place to relax and spend time together, and the basement family room, when designed well, can accommodate nearly any kind of quality family (and friend!) time.

If you’re interested in making your own basement more family-friendly, a place where people actually want to spend time in, then read on. Some of the ideas are more architecturally intensive than others, but all are geared toward one thing: enjoying time spent together.

As with anything else, a first impression of your basement says a lot. Which is why installing an ultra-cool slide entrance might just be the only thing you need to add to transform your basement family game space into extraordinary.

A billiards table is a fantastic idea for a fun family basement. Different options for felt top colors doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your room’s overall aesthetic, either, and the large game table can blend into the decor.

Or you could go the opposite route and emphasize the game table in your space by keeping it front-and-center. Plenty of other family fun opportunities are available at the room’s perimeter – eat-in bar area, large-screen tv and sofa, and overall hangout seating.

You can always balance a large television screen with another visually interesting large rectangular item – think window (if your basement isn’t underground), aquarium, or oversized artwork.

If you find yourself wishing your basement had a window to enhance your family’s quality time, you could consider installing back-lit drapes onto one wall. This gives the illusion that there is, indeed, something natural on the other side of that wall…other than underground dirt.

Just because the room’s in the basement doesn’t mean it has to feel like a cave. Keep things fresh and friendly with pops of color and plenty of white and bright neutrals.

A kitchenette/bar area will certainly draw a crowd for a good time…especially one that incorporates a flat screen TV into the space. The space is kept classic with plenty of wood tones and warm, light neutral colors.

This basement provides a multiplicity of positive family entertainment opportunities, from a climbing wall to a basketball hoop to plenty of space for exercise. Normally furniture would be a comforting accommodation, but this basement has other family bonding times in mind.

As a last resort, for those basements that feel a little bit hum-drum on the excitement scale, look to the floor to add some energy. Lay down a bold geometric rug, or layer a bunch of smaller graphic rugs in the same color palette. This adds instant lift.

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