Family Room - Custom Wall Unit

 Here in Northern Michigan it is not uncommon for homes to have basements and unfinished ones are the most common. When I moved in I found just that.. a beautiful unfinished basement just asking to be finished. The main problem I would find is that when Ed built the home he never really planned to do anything with the basement so shorter ceilings and exposed well... everything is what I had to work with. 

Our basement is setup in a way that it encourages me to want to finish it. The major question is how. Ed had previously finished or sorta finished three spaces; gun room, utility space and guestroom. Another space was sorta mapped out as a family room but longs to be finished and used as such. This space will be my first of many I will get my hands on and turn into a great space for our big beautiful family to use and enjoy. 

As with all my projects I did not want to spend a ton of money. Ed is so handy but asking him to build something from nothing is not something I wanted to do... so I got onto Facebook marketplace and started shopping. What I found were two entertainment systems, solid oak with similar styles. Both have lights and both were $75 each. The next item I found was an electric fireplace insert for $10. We loaded everything up in the truck and took my finds home where Ed was left to put the puzzle together. See I strongly feel the best tool one can have in a family room is a main wall unit with plenty of storage. With a ton of games, video game systems and toys we need a ton of storage. Plus, I want a space with room to setup an air mattress for extra sleeping space when kids come home so I don't want big bulky storage solutions here and there rather one big beautiful wall unit. 

Slowly piece by piece my wall unit went up. 

Ed build sides walls to connect the first set. Then it was time to add set two; securing the pieces together as he went. 

I don't have a picture of it but we had this small entertainment center before that was had storage below the tv and one cabinet along the side. The lower part would also be used as center portion of structure and where the fireplace insert would placed. 

With some framing and stone work a custom fireplace would be added. 

Wire up the lights from both units to work as one.. 

and what you are left with is a beautiful custom build wall unit for under $250. Man look at all the storage.. I am in love.

Now onto painting walls, adding some wood accents, drywall the ceiling and add some awesome barn door for privacy. Stay tune...