Need input on basement layout for small basement. Would like to have a 100-106 inch screen. Currently have a Panasonic AX200 projector, although I've only used it maybe 5 times since I've had as it currently resides in a box until I can figure out where to put it.

Ceiling is currently drywall and heigth is 6'11". Under soffits it's only 6'1". Soffit runs the full length down the whole one side of basement.

My biggest concern right now is where to put component rack. I really do not want to put it below screen if at all possible.

AS IT SITS NOW.

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/mark0566/Basement7.png

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/mark0566/Basement3.png


WHAT I'M THINKING OF DOING.

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/mark0566/Basement6.png

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/mark0566/Basement5.png

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/mark0566/Basement4.png

help!

How about something like this? Are you willing to lose a little space behind the bar? This relocates the TV, and moves the sectional further back increasing the viewing distance. Also not sure how much room you have in the mechanical area but could you rob a few feet for a rack, if you want to do a built in?

No where near scale....


http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq145/cane_mba06/markek.jpg

cane,

thanks, I don't have enough room there for the equipment rack. That was my very first idea for but unfortunately the furnace is right there.

Do you think 2' deep is enough room for a rack and be able to get behind for wiring?

http://i442.photobucket.com/albums/qq145/cane_mba06/markek.jpg

cane,

thanks, I don't have enough room there for the equipment rack. That was my very first idea for but unfortunately the furnace is right there.

Do you think 2' deep is enough room for a rack and be able to get behind for wiring?


I'm a noob to all of this, I guess it depends on your equipment. I think 2 feet would be tight to still have room to do any kind of cable management. Is that a kitchen area to the right of the screen? Any way you could build a rack into the cabinet's facing the theater room?

Yeah, not sure if 2' is enough either. Might be able to put rack on short side of that closet with back of components facing into the closet. Really not wild about the look of that but might be a possibility. Kitchen area is a maybe. Really only need refrigerator.

Care to switch basements? Yours is looking great!!

This is the current state my basement sits in. More of a mess than usual because right now it is a catchall because I'm remodeling the upstairs.

Notice the wonderful paneling!

I plan on gutting the basement when I do it, I want to insulate the walls and ceiling. Sound proof as much as I can also since it's such a small house.

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/mark0566/2009_02050007.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/mark0566/2009_02050004.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/mark0566/2009_02050005.jpg

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/mark0566/2009_02050008.jpg

Check out the carpet. It's about an 1/8" thick and the ugliest stuff I've seen. There are some type of tile underneath and then the cement floor.
Can't wait to lose this stuff.

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/mark0566/2009_02050011.jpg

This is where I'd like to put my equipment rack. The closet is 7'x2'. Not sure if it's deep enough to be able to do any cable management once it would be in there.

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/mark0566/2009_02050001.jpg

You know you ccould build yor own rack and use drawer slides. Basically build sliding shelves, pull it out to do maintenence, slide back in once your done. Rockler has some rated up to 100 lbs for $18, and they go up to 500 pound capacity.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21469

How long until you get started? I can't wait to see the progress and final results.

Oh... that is some pretty special carpet, sure you don't want to keep it?

You know you ccould build yor own rack and use drawer slides. Basically build sliding shelves, pull it out to do maintenence, slide back in once your done. Rockler has some rated up to 100 lbs for $18, and they go up to 500 pound capacity.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=21469

How long until you get started? I can't wait to see the progress and final results.

Oh... that is some pretty special carpet, sure you don't want to keep it?

Cane,

So you don't think 2' deep is enough for rack? I would love to go with a Middle Atlantic rack that pulls out but not in the budget. I will have to look into the drawer slides, might just work.

I don't think I'd even use that carpet for my garage floor!!

Trying to finish my upstairs and then will be working my way down to the basement.

Just a rough idea where I flipped the bathroom and laundyroom and opened up the living space. The laundryroom is now open concept off the kitchen (with resulting noise issues). The furnance room access door would be a hinged two panel door ninety degree door.

The area under the stairs might make for a good av rack space or bar cabinetry....

I'm also curious what's in both of those closets. Electrical panel and sump pump?

Tedd,

I would have to relocate a lot of plumbing for the bathroom and laundry room. My budget does not support this. Like many people I'm trying to do as much as I can with as little spending as possible!

I don't need the kitchen area, just something I was kicking around. I do need the refrigerator and I do need a bathroom with shower. A small bar would be nice if possible.

I also need some storage space, probably in the form of the closets that I currently have.

Thanks for the suggestions.

just a rough idea...

Kitchen space gone and added to a semi open concept theater. AV rack located in the furnance room doorway (possibly on wheels to roll out of the way for servicing furnance). Refrigerator moved to laundyroom.

Low credenza style cupboard built under the long soffit that blends into the bar area. Counter style bar with stools. TV on wall above credenza, or simply sitting on top of credenza.

Flipped around with the larger space for the tv room. Theater kept simple, maybe Seymour AT screen and speakers hidden, AV rack uses part of the closet.

A minimalist styled media space idea. Back wall pulled forward and door closed off. Downside is a longer trip to the laundryroom. Upside is expanded storage and laundryoom.

Shorten closet width-wise if possible and place AV rack there. If the closet can't be narrowed, the front AT wall design could hide that fact.

Square the angle wall by the furnace. Put the rack in the new squared portion facing the room.

help!

Have you figured out how much space you need yet? If your system only needs a half height rack, you will have a lot more possibilities than a full height rack.

For example, if you need less than 30" of height, you could build a rack into the cabinet of the kitchen area (where the fridge is) with the door facing towards the screen. If you were willing to build some of the base cabinets yourself, you could have access to both the front and the back of the cabinets, which would make wiring much easier.

Just a rough idea where I flipped the bathroom and laundyroom and opened up the living space. The laundryroom is now open concept off the kitchen (with resulting noise issues). The furnance room access door would be a hinged two panel door ninety degree door.

The area under the stairs might make for a good av rack space or bar cabinetry....

I'm also curious what's in both of those closets. Electrical panel and sump pump?

Tedd,

The area under the steps would make a great rack space but there's no way I'm prepared to bust up the floor and move the plumbing for the laundry room. I would still need room for a bathroom and shower.

Nice ideas though.

A minimalist styled media space idea. Back wall pulled forward and door closed off. Downside is a longer trip to the laundryroom. Upside is expanded storage and laundryoom.

Shorten closet width-wise if possible and place AV rack there. If the closet can't be narrowed, the front AT wall design could hide that fact.

Tedd,

Here's a new picture. Forgot to put the soffits in. Floor to soffit height is 6' 1". Putting a screen under it (want to go with 106" screen) would be difficult.

http://i602.photobucket.com/albums/tt104/mark0566/Basement8.png

Have you figured out how much space you need yet? If your system only needs a half height rack, you will have a lot more possibilities than a full height rack.

For example, if you need less than 30" of height, you could build a rack into the cabinet of the kitchen area (where the fridge is) with the door facing towards the screen. If you were willing to build some of the base cabinets yourself, you could have access to both the front and the back of the cabinets, which would make wiring much easier.

BeerParty (love the name by the way),

I will probably have receiver, xbox, bluray, cable box, and surge/conditioner component. I'm thinking between 36-48" would be plenty.

Square the angle wall by the furnace. Put the rack in the new squared portion facing the room.

I've thought of that because I think that is one of maybe 2 options on where to put the rack. I actually have a little space behind that spot.

Problem is I may wind up mounting my 42" lcd there. I'm really leaning towards an area for a tv and another for my 106" screen.

Will be trying to put rack in closet. Problem is I only have 24" depth. I'm not sure if that will work yet. I will be trying a couple options this weekend.

How about combining the laundryroom and bar areas into one larger space? Leave a wide row between the laundry and the bar top and design the bar so the bar seats could be flipped to the backside as overflow seating for whatever display is on the end wall.

Just what is that corner closet hiding? Could it's size/shape be slimmed down, or it eliminated entirely? With the bar idea, that end stair wall might make for a good location for the projection screen if you can fit in speakers.

How about combining the laundryroom and bar areas into one larger space? Leave a wide row between the laundry and the bar top and design the bar so the bar seats could be flipped to the backside as overflow seating for whatever display is on the end wall.

Just what is that corner closet hiding? Could it's size/shape be slimmed down, or it eliminated entirely? With the bar idea, that end stair wall might make for a good location for the projection screen if you can fit in speakers.

The corner closet is hiding my water meter and eventually maybe my electrical panel (which is outside of and right next to the closet). It could probably be slimmed down a bit but ideally if possible I may put my rack in there.