Meadow Lane Basement Remodel: A Basement Revamp for the Books

The family living on Meadow Lane in Verona, NJ, came to us for our basement design-build services because they wanted to enjoy more quality time together without having to move or build an addition. They loved their neighborhood and their home but wanted to make a few changes to their basement. Their basement held untapped potential, but it felt disconnected from the rest of the home and lacked the layout they needed. 

At G&L and Sons Renovations, we were specifically brought in to reimagine the space, designing a lower level to support everyday routines, weekend movie nights, and everything in between. With a traditional design style and several carefully considered upgrades, the new basement now reflects the way this family lives, plays, and relaxes under one roof.

In this project spotlight, we’ve shared how finishing a basement is done. We took the family's custom basement design for their reimagined basement and brought it to life. Continue reading to see the challenges we faced with this basement family room design, how we conquered them, and the project highlights that perfectly capture how perfect everything turned out. 

client goals

• They wanted the basement to feel like part of the home, not just storage space.

• A powder room, laundry area, fireplace, and better storage were high on their wish list.

• The kids needed room to play, and the parents wanted a spot to unwind in front of the TV.

• They hoped to improve the layout by moving some of the mechanicals out of the way.

Project Overview 

The Verona family came to us to make changes to their basement so that it aligned with their current lifestyle. It needed to be child-friendly while accommodating the current needs of the family. This was no easy task, considering they wanted to create a lower-level living space instead of expanding the home. This space would be where everyone could spend time together, watch TV, play, exercise, and take care of everyday tasks like laundry.

Fortunately, as basement finishing contractors, we had the skills and knowledge to give this family what it needed. We took a dated and underutilized basement and gave it a new layout that made sense for how the family lived. With thoughtful design, detailed planning, and close collaboration across our team, we improved the flow of the space, brought in more light, and added key features, including a gas fireplace, powder room, and egress window for safety.

standout materials used to complete the project

• Flooring: We installed luxury vinyl plank from MSI’s Prescott Collection – one of the best basement flooring options – in the “Brookline” color. It’s durable, easy to clean, and has a bit of extra thickness paired with underlayment to smooth out the floor and make it more comfortable underfoot.

• Fireplace: The gas fireplace installation is a Kozy Heat direct vent model with oak logs, a black prairie-style screen front, and a black glass liner. It’s one of the first things you notice when you walk into the space, and it brings a cozy focal point to the TV area.

• Fireplace Surround: To finish off the fireplace, we used white Carrara-honed marble for the surround and hearth. It adds a classic, clean look that works beautifully with the rest of the design.

• Egress Window Installation: We added an Andersen 400 Series casement window, a Bilco StakWel Modular Window Well, and a clear dome cover. It brings in natural light and gives the family a safe, code-compliant way out in case of an emergency.

• Water Heater: We replaced the original water heater with a power vent model, which allowed us to move it and make better use of the space. It’s now neatly tucked away in the new mechanical room.

Project Timeline and Budget

It is important to choose basement remodeling contractors who can work with you to iron out kinks in your timeline and budget. In this case, the Meadow Lane basement remodel was completed in late 2024 in Verona, NJ, and took approximately two and a half months to finish. The project stayed on schedule - as we knew it would, without any delays.

When we first sat down with the homeowners, their initial budget was between $60,000 and $70,000, but it became clear that the level of work they were hoping for would require more flexibility. We had open conversations about basement renovation costs and what was realistic, and once we walked through the available options, they felt comfortable moving forward.

During the design phase, they made thoughtful decisions, choosing select upgrades while keeping a close eye on costs and declining others. The finished basement reflects the priorities they set early on, with just the right mix of practical additions and everyday comfort, all built within a budget that worked for their family.

Challenges and Solutions of this Family-Friendly Basement Remodel

1. Water Heater and Basement HVAC Relocation: To open up the floor plan, the homeowner's HVAC contractor relocated the HVAC unit from its original spot near the stairs to the back wall. We replaced and moved the water heater with a power vent model. These changes freed up space and improved access to mechanicals.

2. Adding a Powder Room: The client requested a basement powder room, which was a challenge since it required breaking up the concrete slab to install new plumbing lines. Our team handled this step with care to minimize disruption to the young family and ensure code compliance.

3. Planning the Fireplace Installation: Installing a gas fireplace in a basement brought code and venting challenges, but it was nothing we couldn’t handle. Our designer and project manager worked closely with the fireplace installer, Light My Fire, to coordinate placement and ensure safety. The final result feels like it was always meant to be there.

4. Uneven Flooring: Some areas of the existing concrete floor were not level. Instead of a full resurface, we used leveling cement where most needed and selected a thicker luxury vinyl plank with underlayment to ensure a cohesive finish.

5. Framing Around Ductwork: We had to frame around basement ceiling ductwork before applying drywall, a time-intensive but necessary step for a finished appearance.

Project Highlights

Multi-Zone Layout for Daily Living

The biggest highlight of this project is that we were able to achieve a multi-zone layout for daily living. The finished basement now includes a media zone with a fireplace, a bright laundry room, a well-appointed powder room, and dedicated spaces for play and exercise. 

Everything is organized and easy to access, with mechanicals relocated to their own room. The reimagined layout makes the basement feel like a true continuation of the rest of the home, with nothing standing out or out of place.

Fireplace as a Seamless Focal Point

The gas fireplace was a standout element for the family, offering a toasty warmth and a stylish focal point. With a sleek White Carrara marble surround and detailed coordination to meet all venting and code requirements, we feel it blends perfectly with the overall design. 

Its location in the TV area makes it a natural centerpiece where the family can unwind together, which is important to them since they have young children.

Added Light, Safety, and Comfort

Bringing light and safety into the basement was a top priority for the family and also for us. We installed an egress window with a Bilco well and clear dome cover to give the family an escape route in case of emergency. This window also brightens the space and brings in a touch of the outdoors, making the lower level feel far less like a basement and more like a continuation of the home. 

New Powder Room Adds Everyday Convenience

A brand-new powder room was added where one didn’t previously exist, providing the family with quick and easy bathroom access on the lower level. This small addition made a major difference in how the basement supports day-to-day life, especially during family movie nights or playdates. 

To make it possible, our crew broke through the existing concrete slab and installed new plumbing, which was a process that we had to handle with care from the beginning of the remodel until its completion.

Refined Framing for a Clean Finish

In basements with visible mechanicals, careful framing makes all the difference. Our team framed around exposed HVAC ductwork in the ceiling before drywall was applied. While time-consuming, this step helped achieve the polished, main-level look the homeowners were after. The result is a ceiling that feels intentional and finished without drawing attention to what’s behind the walls.

Dedicated Mechanical Room Keeps Things Tidy

By relocating and organizing the HVAC system and water heater, we created a dedicated mechanical room that keeps everything out of sight. This change improved the overall layout and made utility access easier without interrupting the look or flow of the finished basement. It’s one of the small touches that helped turn a once-overlooked space into a fully considered part of the home.

Choose G&L and Sons Renovations for Your Next Basement Remodel

If your basement isn’t living up to its potential, we’re here to help. At G&L and Sons Renovations, we specialize in turning overlooked lower levels into reimagined spaces families love, as evidenced by our latest Verona, NJ basement remodel. We’re one of the best basement remodeling companies around. 

If you’re looking for help turning your basement into something more functional for your family that meets your practical needs while being pleasing to the eye, you can speak with us at G&L and Sons Renovations. Our team would happily help you turn your basement from drab to fab in a few months. We’re also ready to answer basement finishing cost questions and share basement remodeling trends to help guide you on this journey.