Floors

• When planning to recover your den floor, consider your materials along with the rest of your basement remodeling makeover, not as an afterthought. Pair natural and synthetic flooring to add dimension to what can be monotonous basement space.
  
  Textured flooring is especially inviting below ground. A combination of coverings, such as carpet meeting stone or wood, creates drama and sections off living and working areas. Finish your family room floor with wood laminate and natural stone pavers.
  
  

Walls

• Plan your basement remodeling to avoid either an empty or cluttered appearance. Without overdoing texture in your interior design, you can choose raised wall coverings to offset smooth flooring and vice versa.
  
  Decorative wall panels recreate textured brick, stone and stucco, as well as smooth-painted wall board. They wipe clean and never need repainting. The Fashion Wall brand offers a moisture-resistant style that wears well beautifully in below-ground family rooms that tend to be damp.
  
  

Zones

• Your basement family room may run the entire length and breadth of your home. Interior design by usage zones breaks up the space and makes the most of few materials.
  
  For instance, there's no need to erect walls when you demarcate the floors distinctively. Try wood laminate in the bar area, warm carpeting for the home theater and vinyl underfoot near the washer and dryer. Different color schemes may be all you need to complete your basement remodeling.
  
  

Accents

• Investing in the little touches can go a long way in a home makeover. Run with a theme, such as Irish pub or seaside retreat. Dress up a dark bar area with colorful signs or a stained-glass lamp. Drape fish netting over a white-painted brick accent wall, and dot the room with shells and oceanic artifacts.
  
  Terrariums and aquariums impart an exotic feel near a daylight window or artificial light source to enliven a downstairs den.
  
  

Budget

• For interior design on a budget, shrink your overall plan. Dress up inexpensive vinyl flooring with area rugs. Use impressive hardwood, tile or natural stone as accent flooring. Lay just a few square feet of it to create a focal point for a bar or lounge.
  
  Repeat this trick with your walls. Instead of paneling the entire family room, throw the focus on one textured wall by using a neutral-painted wall board on the rest.