The style evolution of the basement has been slow in the making, but thanks to the visionaries of today the basement has enjoyed a miraculous renaissance.

No longer a dimly lit and downright foreboding afterthought, the modern basement is an extension of the household and valuable addition at that.

If you’re looking for more than a laundry room and storage catchall, the present-day basement design may just be your true calling.

In the past, few were able to realize the basement’s potential as more than just a domestic catacomb. Thankfully, designers took notice and transformed the everyday basement into a number of creations, from family rooms to entertainment centers, as well as lounges, libraries, and offices.

Perhaps you’ve always longed for your own personal gym or movie theater, or simply want to create a space the whole household can enjoy; there is truly no limit to the 21st century basement’s possibilities. And with countless lighting, furnishing, and paint options, you can personalize your basement to the very last detail. It’s time to let your inspiration run free-after all, what have you got to lose? If your basement is truly a barely-acknowledged relic, then up is the only possible outcome.

Extra space is a precious thing in any home, whether it’s a spare room or side nook. The savvy homeowner knows renovation potential when he sees it, and seizes it with both style and function in mind. The downstairs basement can be so much more than a serviceable drop-off for laundry, holiday decorations, and discarded household ephemera.

With the proper investment of time and vision, any one of these top 70 best finished basement ideas can be the new no.1 destination in your home.