Northeast Minneapolis Basement for Four
A Design That Brings 10-Years of Waiting to an End
When Ryan and Kallen bought their Northeast Minneapolis home ten years ago, the basement was the first thing they talked about changing. It was partially finished and underused, but it had something rare for the neighborhood: ceilings tall enough to make the lower level feel like real living space rather than a place you duck into. A decade later, with two young boys and a household that had outgrown its footprint, they partnered with us to see how this underutilized basement could work for their family.
Photography by Spacecrafting
“This remodel completely changed how we live in our home. The mudroom keeps everyday clutter under control, the second kitchen keeps up with a busy family, and the kids finally have a space of their own.”
Ryan and Kallen, Northeast Minneapolis Homeowners
Solving for spatial challenges upstairs meant reimagining the basement.
A dry bar with beverage refrigeration and dedicated pantry storage takes pressure off the kitchen upstairs, giving our clients a real place for overflow, specialty ingredients, and snacks. Plus, toys and art supplies that were once scattered across the main level now have a home in a fun new playroom, a brightly lit flex space that can be converted to a guest room whenever needed.
Every busy family needs a mudroom.
The family’s busiest door was a side entry that dropped straight down to the basement stairs. Since the area lacked critical storage, essentials like shoes, coats, and backpacks migrated upstairs, cluttering the kitchen. By turning the base of the stairs into a proper mudroom with custom lockers, we could simplify the family’s daily routines and improve organization.
"The most successful spaces are the ones that quietly make life better. In this lower level, we paired hardworking functionality with a few unexpected luxuries, including motion-sensor lighting in the mudroom lockers for convenience and safety, and heated floors in the bathroom and laundry room that bring a touch of everyday comfort."
Nicole Slaminski-Hawes, Senior Designer
This bathroom-laundry room combo has earned its place in the family’s everyday routines.
Before the remodel, the family avoided the existing bathroom. The space was cramped, awkwardly laid out, and outfitted with a live electrical junction box mounted inside the shower. Now, the bathroom-laundry room combo has pleasantly heated floors, a neatly arranged laundry zone, and a generous walk-in shower with a three-head faucet system, a built-in bench, and a tiled niche. Positioned as the transition point between the house, backyard hot tub, and cold plunge, the new space is an asset to the family’s daily routines, especially during the long Minnesota winters.
“A lot of the credit goes to our Project Manager, Chris, who met us on-site nearly every day and caught the little things, including suggesting we open up the window bays for more light. The basement now feels like a natural extension of the rest of the house, and we couldn’t be happier with the result.”
Ryan and Kallen, Northeast Minneapolis Homeowners
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