It seems like FOREVER ago since we first started redoing our basement. I’m fairly certain we started back in maybe February? And I was naïve enough to think that it might be done by the time Alex arrived.
Well, that definitely did not happen, but when your handy husband is the one doing the majority of the work, you have to make compromises (because if he’s down working in the basement, then that means mommy is wrangling both kiddos at the same time!).
But here we are, early November, and we are *almost* finished! And because I’m too impatient to wait until all the little things like final trimwork and stuff are done, I’m sharing our “almost finished after” with you today…toys scattered everywhere and all!
So we set up the room so that the majority of it would be a large play space for the boys to do their thing. We’ve successfully been able to move a good amount of our toys from the living room down here, although I’m convinced our living room will have toy cars in it for at least the next 10 years.
The basement also has two separate rooms that are closed off; one is a storage/work room for Jay and all of his tools and such. The other is a storage/workout equipment area. Both of these are way too filthy to even think about sharing at this point though, so you’ll have to trust me.
There’s a small area where we currently have our super old couch and chairs set (which used to be my grandparents’!) and a TV equipped with a Roku 4. We LOVE that thing, by the way…great way to get different apps like YouTube (for workout videos…hence the random ottoman up on the chair) and Nick Jr, etc.
Before
After
Then there’s the play area! Our plan is to eventually fill in the nook that’s currently holding the mini kitchen set with somewhat of a “dry bar” set up. Likely a mini fridge, some cabinets, shelves, etc., but since it wasn’t a top priority we’re just leaving that part for now.
But the one area that I am absolutely most excited for us the boys’ reading nook!
I had a vision of a cozy reading space, complete with shelves and storage, and Jay brought it entirely to life. There are plenty of shelves for books (especially since our library of Usborne Books is growing rapidly!) and are nice and large and sturdy.
And underneath the bench is a full storage area to be able to toss more toys (anything that’s both pretty AND functional/a way to hide more stuff is an A+ in my book!).
Eventually I’m planning on making a bench top cushion, which will likely be a winter project for me while Jay finishes up working on the trim and whatnot.
I’m also currently looking for the right storage unit to put between the wall of the reading nook and the pole pictured below (which we also still need to enclose). I really wish we had an Ikea closer, because I’m fairly certain they’d most definitely have something I’d want!
Foam letters and numbers came from Zulily– similar set HERE // Blue & white striped bin via Target
One of the things that I love most about the boys’ playroom though, is the adorable artwork that we have on the walls, courtesy of Minted!
You guys have heard of them, right? They’re awesome, and have SO many great items to choose from (including birth announcements!).
Minted very generously offered us the opportunity to pick out some prints to help dress up the playroom, as well as the boys’ rooms, too. Honestly, it was months ago when I first picked out and ordered our prints (hello, naïve thinking the project would be done sooner!), so I’ve been itching to get them up on the walls.
Pictured Left: Textured Blocks Wall Art // Pictured Right: Lets Go Children’s Art
I loved being able to pick out a variety of prints and different frames to go along with each.
Some of the prints are even customizable, too, as you can see in the Lets Go print above!
I’m totally obsessed with the ABC Squares print here, too, and I’m excited to get some storage set up underneath these prints to really finish the look of that space.
Pictured Left to Right: Bubbles Out of the Blue Print // ABC Squares Art Print // Make Me a Picture Print
It’s crazy how art work can really add so much to a room, isn’t it?!
Over on the opposite wall, we also have this set up of five mini prints. I wasn’t really sure what I was going to do with them at the time of picking them out, but I thought (and hoped) they’d all work well together somehow, and I’m so happy with how they turned out!
Clockwise, from top right: Rules of the Game // Wonderful World Art Print // Little Pup Art Print // Monster Mash Art Print // Be Bold Art Print
And as I mentioned above, the boys’ rooms also have a few really cute prints hanging up, too.
Alex’s Room has three prints:
Sweet Dreams Print // Rise and Shine Print
We also have this print hanging behind his rocking chair, which is customizable…but since we didn’t know Alex’s name when I ordered, we just left it blank. 
Fish Upon a Star Print
And here’s a look at some of the prints we have hanging in Lucas’s room…which is, as you can tell, still a work in progress!
Clockwise from top left: Linear Counts Wall Art // VIP Initial Print // Bicycle Wall Art Print // Heavy Load Children’s Art Print
Oh the Places Wall Art
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I’m excited to get the rest of the basement project finished up in the next few months and I’ll be sure to share more details with you guys as things keep moving along!
Disclosure: I was provided with free prints from Minted in exchange for a review on the blog. All opinions, as always, are my own.
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