Question 1

Who designs my basement?

Accepted Answer

Oscar Fonseca leads the design — and he's the real deal. He holds a Bachelor of Industrial Design and has 25+ years in the industry, with a background in custom cabinetry, millwork, 3D imaging, and space planning across hundreds of residential and commercial projects. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, he's called Calgary home since 2001, and he's been active in the design community, including past VP roles with the NKBA Prairie Provinces Chapter. In practice that means he comes out to see your space, learns what you want, designs the layout and finishes around it, and shows you photorealistic renderings before you commit. You're designing it with a genuine expert.

Question 2

Do I get to see a rendering before I decide?

Accepted Answer

Yes — that's a core part of how we work. Before you commit, we show you photorealistic renderings of your actual basement finished, so you're deciding based on what it'll really look like rather than a floor plan or a verbal description.

Question 3

Can I get more than one design option?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we can show you multiple design options so you can compare layouts and finishes and see what fits best. The goal is for you to be genuinely happy with the design before we build.

Question 4

Can you match the design to my main floor?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely — a lot of homeowners want the basement to feel like a natural extension of the rest of the home. Oscar can match flooring, trim, paint, and finishes to your main floor, or take it in a different direction if you'd prefer the basement to have its own character. It's your call.

Question 5

I have an inspiration photo — can you build something like this?

Accepted Answer

Usually, yes — bring your inspiration photos and we'll talk through what it would take. Oscar can tell you what's realistic for your space (ceiling height, layout, what drives the cost) and design toward the look you're after, then show it to you in a rendering of your actual basement. If something in the photo isn't a fit for a basement, we'll tell you honestly and suggest alternatives.

Question 6

Can you help me choose finishes and materials?

Accepted Answer

You'll choose your finishes and materials yourself. Once Oscar hands off your quote and a material selection guide, you make the selections on your own time — which most clients prefer. You're not left to figure it out alone, though: if you'd like a hand or a second opinion, Kloe or Oscar are happy to help.

Question 7

What if I don't know what I want yet?

Accepted Answer

That's completely normal, and it's exactly what the design process is for. Bring whatever you've got — a rough idea, a few inspiration photos, or nothing at all — and Oscar will walk you through options and possibilities for your space. Seeing renderings of your own basement usually makes it click. No pressure, and no deposit to explore it.

Question 8

What's different about finishing a basement vs. a main floor?

Accepted Answer

Finishing a basement is genuinely different from a main floor, which is why a basement specialist matters. Basements deal with things main floors don't: moisture and vapour management, lower ceiling heights, egress requirements for bedrooms and suites, working around mechanical (furnace, ducting, the electrical panel), and getting light into a space that doesn't have much. The finishes can look identical upstairs and down — the difference is everything behind the walls that makes a basement comfortable, dry, and to code.

Question 9

How much does a feature wall cost?

Accepted Answer

Feature walls vary by style: shiplap runs about $17/sq ft, board-and-batten about $16/sq ft, picture-frame wainscotting about $1,225, and a slat-wall feature about $400 per foot. A great way to add character to a media or living area. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 10

How much do built-in shelves or a TV unit cost?

Accepted Answer

Custom built-ins run about $325 per foot, a TV media unit about $250–$325 per foot, and floating shelves about $375. Lower cabinets with a countertop run about $605 per foot. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 11

How much does a barn door cost?

Accepted Answer

A single painted barn door runs about $875, a stained one about $1,025, and double barn doors about $1,695; a basic barn-door install (hardware on a supplied door) is about $375. A pocket door is about $550 if you want the same space-saving without the exposed track. This is a typical guide price — your exact cost is confirmed by our team.

Question 12

Can you build a home theatre in my basement?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a home theatre is one of the more popular basement builds. We design and build the room (soundproofing, lighting, tiered seating, built-ins, and the wiring for your A/V), and Oscar shows you a rendering before we start. Cost ranges widely depending on how far you take it — a simple projector-and-speaker setup can be a few thousand, a dedicated high-end room into the tens of thousands.

Question 13

Can you build a home gym?

Accepted Answer

Yes — basement gyms are a great use of the space. We handle the things that make a gym work: durable flooring that can take weight and impact, good lighting, mirrors, proper ventilation, and electrical for your equipment. Tell Oscar how you'll use it and he'll design around it.

Question 14

Can you build a basement bar?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a wet bar or dry bar is one of the most popular add-ons. We can build anything from a simple dry bar to a full wet bar with a sink, cabinetry, and a beverage fridge. A basic 5-ft wet bar typically starts around $4,100 if the plumbing is there, and goes up with size, finishes, and appliances.

Question 15

Can you do a basement with low ceilings?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes — it comes down to your ceiling height. In Alberta, finished (habitable) basement space generally needs a minimum ceiling height of about 1.95 m (6'5") across most of the area, with localized spots under beams or ductwork allowed to drop to roughly 1.85 m. A legal bedroom has a higher bar — around 2.13 m (7 ft). Those are general guidelines, not a ruling on your specific home — the first step is checking what you've actually got. If you're close, smart design (how we route ducts and beams, plus lighting and layout) helps a lower ceiling feel open. Oscar can take a look and tell you honestly what's possible; we build to code and get it inspected, so we won't finish space that doesn't qualify.

Question 16

Can you add a bedroom to my basement?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a bedroom is a popular addition. The main code requirement for a basement bedroom is an egress window (a proper escape exit), so if there isn't one, adding it is part of the job. Otherwise it's framing, drywall, flooring, and finishing. Oscar makes sure it's done to code so it counts as a legal bedroom.

Question 17

Should I do a shower or a tub in my basement bathroom?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how you'll use the space. A walk-in shower is the popular basement choice — sleek, space-efficient, and easy to step into. A tub makes sense if the bedroom will be used by kids or guests, or for resale appeal in a home without another tub — and if the bathroom won't get a ton of use, a tub is usually the less expensive option. There's no wrong answer; Oscar will help you weigh it against your layout, plumbing, and budget.

Question 18

Is a wet bar or a dry bar better?

Accepted Answer

Depends on how you'll use it. A wet bar (with a sink and plumbing) is great if you'll entertain often or want to rinse glasses and mix drinks without running upstairs — more functional, but it costs more because of the plumbing. A dry bar (cabinetry, counter, often a beverage fridge, no sink) is simpler and more affordable and works well for a display-and-drinks station. Oscar can show you both in your layout.

Question 19

Can you do an open-concept basement?

Accepted Answer

Yes — open-concept is one of the most popular basement layouts. It makes the space feel larger and brighter and flows well for a rec room, bar, and entertaining. Where there are support posts or a bulkhead, Oscar designs around them so the open feel holds. We'll show you the layout in a rendering before we build.

Question 20

Can you build a kids' play area or playroom?

Accepted Answer

Definitely — a playroom or kids' zone is a great basement use. We can build in durable, easy-clean finishes, good lighting, storage for toys, and fun features like a built-in nook or chalkboard wall. Tell Oscar how your kids will use it and he'll design around it — including how it might change as they grow.

Question 21

Can you add a wine room or cellar?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a wine room or cellar is a beautiful basement feature, and basements are ideal since they're naturally cooler. We can build anything from a glassed-in display wall to a temperature-controlled cellar with proper insulation and racking. Oscar will design it to fit your collection and your space.

Question 22

Can you build a guest suite or in-law suite?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a guest or in-law suite is a popular project. One distinction: an in-law space for family doesn't always need to meet full legal-suite code (separate entrance, egress, fire separation) unless you intend to rent it out. We'll talk through what you're after — comfort for guests versus a fully legal, rentable suite — and build accordingly.

Question 23

What lighting works best in a basement with no windows?

Accepted Answer

Layered lighting is the answer. With little or no natural light, we plan recessed pot lights for overall brightness, then add layers — accent and cove lighting, under-cabinet lighting, and fixtures — on dimmers so you can set the mood. Lighter finishes and smart placement help too. Done right, a windowless basement reads bright and comfortable, not like a cave.

Question 24

How do you make a basement feel less like a basement?

Accepted Answer

A few things make the difference: good layered lighting, lighter finishes and paint, the right ceiling treatment, keeping sightlines open, and handling posts and bulkheads as intentional design features rather than obstacles. Larger egress windows where possible bring in light too. It's exactly what Oscar designs for — a space that feels like a natural part of your home, not an afterthought downstairs.

Question 25

Can I see examples of basements you've designed?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we're glad to show you examples of basements we've designed and built, including projects similar to what you're picturing. You'll find our portfolio on our website (the Our Work page), and at the on-site quote Oscar can walk you through relevant work.

Question 26

Do you design around existing furniture or a theme?

Accepted Answer

Yes — if you have furniture you're keeping, a theme in mind, or pieces you love, tell Oscar and he'll design around them. The design is built around how you'll actually live in and use the space, so existing pieces and a look you're going for are great starting points.

Question 27

How do you make a low-ceiling basement feel bigger?

Accepted Answer

A few design moves help a low ceiling feel taller: keeping the ceiling clean and uninterrupted (running ducts and beams thoughtfully, or building intentional bulkheads), recessed lighting instead of hanging fixtures, lighter colours, vertical lines, and open sightlines. Where height is genuinely tight, Oscar plans the layout so the lower spots fall where they matter least. The goal is to make the space feel open rather than draw the eye to the ceiling.

Question 28

What's the best layout for an open basement?

Accepted Answer

It depends on how you'll use the space, but a common approach puts the main living/rec zone and any bar near the bottom of the stairs where people gather, with bedrooms, a bathroom, or an office tucked to the sides or back for quiet and privacy. We design around your support posts and mechanical so the open area stays open. Oscar will lay it out around your priorities and show you in a rendering.

Question 29

Can you design around a future suite conversion?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and it's a smart move. We can design the layout now so a later conversion is easier: planning where egress, a separate entrance, a kitchen, and independent mechanical would go, and roughing in plumbing while the walls are open. (The separate entrance itself involves foundation and concrete coring, which we don't do — that part would go to a specialized contractor.) It saves significant cost and disruption down the road. Tell Oscar it's a possibility and he'll design with it in mind.

Question 30

What colors work best in a basement?

Accepted Answer

Lighter, warmer tones generally work best — they bounce the limited light around and keep the space feeling open and bright rather than closed-in. That said, a well-lit basement can absolutely carry richer or moodier colours in the right spots (a feature wall, a theatre, a bar). Oscar will help you choose a palette that suits the light you have and the feel you're after.

Question 31

Can you incorporate smart home features?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we can incorporate smart home features: smart lighting and dimmers, smart thermostats, wiring for automation, speakers, and smart switches, plus the infrastructure for a connected theatre or AV setup. It's best to plan it during design so the wiring goes in while the walls are open. Tell Oscar what you'd like and he'll build it into the plan.

Question 32

Do you design basement bathrooms with accessibility in mind?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we can design with accessibility in mind: curbless showers, grab-bar backing, wider doorways, comfort-height fixtures, and layouts that work for aging-in-place or mobility needs. The right approach depends on your specific needs and the space (and getting into a basement at all can be a consideration). Tell us what you're planning and Oscar will design around it.

Question 33

Can you build a Murphy bed or hidden storage?

Accepted Answer

Yes — Murphy beds, hidden storage, and clever built-ins are some of our favourite things to do, and they're right in Oscar's wheelhouse (custom millwork is a specialty). A Murphy bed turns a rec room into a guest room; under-stair and built-in storage make the most of every inch. Tell Oscar what you need and he'll design it in.

Question 34

How do you handle awkward spaces under the stairs?

Accepted Answer

Under-stair space is an opportunity, not a problem. Depending on the layout we can turn it into built-in storage, a closet, shelving, a reading nook, a wine display, or even a powder-room tuck-in. It's exactly the kind of custom millwork we love. Oscar will show you what's possible for your stairs.

Question 35

Can you design a basement that's easy to convert to a suite later?

Accepted Answer

Yes — and it's a smart move. We can design your basement now so a future suite conversion is much easier: planning where the egress, separate entrance, kitchen, and independent heating/ventilation would go, and roughing in plumbing while the walls are open. (The separate entrance itself is foundation and concrete-coring work we'd leave to a specialized contractor.) It saves significant cost and disruption if you convert down the road. Just tell Oscar a suite might be in your future.

Question 36

Can you create a rendering of my specific basement before I sign?

Accepted Answer

Yes — that's central to how we work. Before you commit, Oscar designs your actual basement and shows you photorealistic renderings of it finished, so you're deciding based on what your space will really look like, not a generic image. No deposit, no obligation to see it.

Design & Renderings

Still have a question?