I to am in the basement, i love it, its not finished, but i am glad it isn't, its post toasty in the basement, i can go barefoot when its below zero and still be warm, also i have wheels on my sewing chair and i can move a lot faster on a concrete floor and not worry if i spill. Also i have tons and tons of space, lots of cabinets and my cutting table is a 8ft. door, sealed and has trim around it and sits on 6 unfinished kitchen cabinets, that i painted white and stenciled with sewing implements. I also have lots of lights, a stereo, frig. and tv. I am all set. I do have windows one is the escape window in case of fires. When i look at the overall picture, i am glad i have a basememt, i can buy and buy and the hubs never knows.

When we built our house, I had planned to have a sewing room/study in our basement! Since then I have had several knee and foot problems, and the idea went by the wayside. I did not want to do all the stairs several times a day; so now I kicked the bed and dresser out of a bedroom and am turning it into a sewing room. My problem is my room although 12 x 12 doesn't seem big enough for my sewing things and office needs. I keep rearraning, and will eventually find the way I am content.

The Basement sounds great to me move all the exercise stuff to the room or another Idea for you why not move the office down to the basement then you have your exercise/ office. You do not mention what the armoire is used for, if not in use for anything use it for quilting storage or move it to another room or down to the basement with that and us it for holding workout stuff.

I use to be in the basement, but hubby said he never saw me (lol) I was either at work or in the basement. So I told him if I had more room upstairs I would be there. In this new house (ugh) he knocked a wall out with a friend who was qualified, now I have 2 rooms in one and upstairs. Needless to say hubby is pretty happy. He even cooks more (lol).

I had my sewing area in the basement and found I just didn't go down there -- hated the darkness, even after I painted it; hated the cool/cold stuff and just stopped sewing. My hubby got the idea that he'd like a pool table and the only space for it was the basement (he enjoys the "cave" atmosphere). So, he had the third bay in the garage converted into a sewing room for me. Two large windows were installed, it was all insulated and a special underlayment was installed before the hardwood. It's just delicious.

I really like the sunshine/natural light, which impacts "color correctness" in fabrics and my watercolors. I just didn't realize that was why I didn't like going downstairs. If you elect to do it, I'd recommend:
1. Have a egress window installed (fire escape window) -- they add a ton of light and will also add to the value of your home because the room could technically be classed as a bedroom when you sell it.
2. Have the walls insulated and drywalled. Makes a huge difference in reflective heat/cold.
3. There are good flourescent overhead lights, but make sure the bulbs you get are the ones for natural light so your fabrics' colors are true.
4. Hardwood floors are great for sewing -- easier to keep those picky pins under control, and you can always add throw rugs as needed.
5. Make sure you have a dehumidifier -- don't take any chances on messing up fabrics or machines.
6. Decide on how to handle heating and power before you make alterations to the area.

Now for ideas should you elect to stay in your current room:
1. Think about getting some file cabinets and put your table tops on them. If you don't want to use file cabinets, other short cabinets or bookcases work and have shelving for storage.
2. I like my computer in my sewing room -- really handy when I want to check out the Board on a break from the machine! However, I don't have to share my computer so no one has to see my mess either.

What ever you do -- be patient until it gets just the way you like it and enjoy!

Yes, Ms. Greyhoundmom my sewing room is in the basement (with a dehumidfier) for Spring to Fall comfort-it runs non stop in the warm months. I have so much room and I love it..................totally.

Lana
the Quilting Dreamer
Lansing, MI

More.........My husband finished ours' and we have a small separate office for the computer etc. We also have wood floors "Again I love it" & so does he
Lana

I'd go for the basement too. More room is always better. I have an upstairs bedroom since I don't have a basement. I just took two metal 3 shelf units from Home Depot and put a board over them covered with batting and the reflective fabric you buy at Joanne's to make an ironing station. I made it long enough to give me knee room in the middle if I choose to sit while I iron. I now have six shelves to store stuff underneath. It's wonderful.

As far as the floor, look into the new durable vinyl floating floors. I have Pergo and hate it. Too noisy, if you drop your scissors, there is a scratch and I find it too slippery. Plus in the basement, in case you do ever have a moisture problem, Pergo can warp, as me how I know.

Good luck. Having your own dedicated space makes any hobby so much more productive.

The last sewing room I had was in an unfinished basement, and it was dark. But with enough lighting, it was good and quiet. Now my current sewing room is also in the basement, but it is a finished basement. I did put in a closet saver in my double wide closet for lots of extra storage. DH was allergic to work so I did it myself. Well to be fair, it was a whole lot easier to put it in myself, instead of listening to him foul of the job and the air. Now, it it time for the annual cleaning. YUK!

If putting down new flooring be sure you get the floor insulated well which should help with the cold feet problem.