When Westerville residents Bryan and Trisha Jensen decided to remodel their basement, they knew they wanted a space that could accommodate guests.
But the traditional basement bar route didn’t reflect their interests. They wanted something more functional.
The end result, built by Buckeye Basements, is a bar that functions as something of a second kitchen.
The couple – who have two children, Lucas, 2, and Ashleigh, 8 months – had considered moving, but eventually decided updating was the more cost-effective way to go. They use the basement a lot, particularly for entertaining – sporting events, family gatherings, holiday parties, etc. – and decided to make it one of the focal points of the update effort.
“Just having the neighbors over for the night is the type of thing that we do on a weekly or monthly basis,” says Bryan.
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Photos courtesy of Bradshaw Photography LLC
Grey is a key color in the basement. The cabinets are stained with a gray, weathered finish, while the floor is covered with gray-toned tile designed to resemble wood and detailed with metallic nail heads that shine when light hits them. The countertops are quartz, and the bar stools, obtained from Scioto Valley almost on a whim, match the finish nicely.
"Everything came together, from that rustic finish on the flooring to the weathered cabinets ... to the countertops, (and) it all blends really well together," Bryan says.
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Whereas a typical basement bar might focus more on décor or traditional bar accessories -- think beer taps and wine storage -- the Jensens' aims to include eating in the equation.
"I always had a vision of a bar that was more useful -- more like a kitchenette, with a refrigerator and a microwave," says Bryan.
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Whereas a typical basement bar might focus more on décor or traditional bar accessories -- think beer taps and wine storage -- the Jensens' aims to include eating in the equation.
"I always had a vision of a bar that was more useful -- more like a kitchenette, with a refrigerator and a microwave," says Bryan.
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Whereas a typical basement bar might focus more on décor or traditional bar accessories -- think beer taps and wine storage -- the Jensens' aims to include eating in the equation.
"I always had a vision of a bar that was more useful -- more like a kitchenette, with a refrigerator and a microwave," says Bryan.
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Another element added by Buckeye Basements is the white wainscoting that wraps the bottom of the whole room, brightening up the space and giving it a more elevated feel.
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Another important part of the room design: the TV built into the cabinets behind the bar, engineered to keep guests from having to turn around and crane their necks to see the game.
"It actually feels like you're sitting in a neighborhood bar," says Bryan.
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Another important part of the room design: the TV built into the cabinets behind the bar, engineered to keep guests from having to turn around and crane their necks to see the game.
"It actually feels like you're sitting in a neighborhood bar," says Bryan.
Some elements of the remodel are tough to see, and that’s just how the Jensens like it. Part of the basement was walled off and is now used as a walk-in storage closet.
On top of that, various utilities – air ducts, return vents, gas lines, etc. – were moved so they could be more effectively concealed behind walls. Previously, those things were largely just drywalled over, making for some ugly protrusions.
“The thing I was really impressed with was how (Buckeye Basements) opened up the space,” says Bryan.
Garth Bishop is managing editor. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
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