Here in Canada, we're pretty lucky. 

The space in our home below grade — what we call our basement — doesn't exist in many homes throughout the rest of the globe. In the United States, many homes are built on slabs, or the homes that do have basements are simply dirt-lined, cold cellars. The same goes for many below grade levels in Europe — for the most part, they simply aren't fully developed living spaces. 

In Canada, we develop our basements to the point they can be finished into an entire new floor of living area, and we have some ideas on how you can take your basement development to a whole new level.

Fully Equipped Bar 

Every basement should have a bar (after all, it makes staying at home a more desirable way to spend your staycation! 

But we aren't talking just a small area with a sink, a couple of cabinets, and a mini-fridge. We're talking a whole state-of-the-art second kitchen with plenty of bar seating, a wine fridge and companion wine rack, and plenty of proper glass and spirit bottle storage. 

Be sure to include multiple sinks: one for actual washing and one for filling with ice to chill wine and champagne. Think about if you need space to serve food, too, and include a special section of countertop just for that. 

Home Gym or Yoga Studio 

If you like to work out or practice yoga, you'll want a dedicated space designed just for these purposes. Often, the flooring you choose for this space will be a bit more spongy to reduce the impact of your floor exercises on your body. 

Think about the equipment you already have or plan to purchase so your new workout room has enough space to comfortably fit everything you need. Be sure to consider whether you want a television or sound system installed in this space as well. For whatever you need to make your workout more pleasant, there's quite likely a solution.

Wine Cellar 

Define a special area of your basement to be a cold room, primarily as a wine cellar or other cold storage for your home. You can install refrigerators in this space, as well as custom designed cabinetry to store red wine, port, or other spirits as you prefer. 

If you're the type to host tastings, design the room to have enough space for some high-top tables. Install full-height glass doors so the temperature is locked in, but you can still admire your collection from the rest of the space.

Poker Deserves More Respect 

If you're an avid card player, you probably have a card table for which you would love to have a special home. Don't just stick it in the middle of the basement with no rhyme or reason to the matter, why not carve a special room out of your basement plan for your prized card table? 

It can be designed to look like a formal dining room— off to the side a bit but not entirely separate from the rest of the space. You can build in cabinetry and shelving in this space as well, to offer convenient access to your favourite spirit, or a place for your guests to drop their keys, wallets, or purses. 

Media Room 

Most homeowners are looking for a space in their basement for either watching movies, the big game, or other activities that involve a large-screen television. Create a dedicated movie theatre space in your own home with a feature wall for your screen, and elevated steps along the floor for your uber comfortable reclining chairs. Don't forget to account for space at the back for a full-sized popcorn maker.

If video gaming is more your style, this same space can also be altered to create the ideal gamer's cave.

The Ultimate Crafting Studio 

If you have a creative mind in your household, a part of your basement development can be dedicated to the most amazing craft studio you've seen. Depending on your craft, you can have custom cabinets and storage devices designed specifically for the space and your needs. A custom worktop or desk area can also be designed right in your home so you have exactly the type of working surfaces you need for your craft. 

Into scrapbooking? Build in floor-to-ceiling paper racks, ribbon holders, and drawers design for embellishments. Into sewing? Spool holders, fabric drawers, and other custom storage can be created for your space. Whatever your craft, you can design your dream space.

Whatever your lifestyle happens to be, your basement can become your own personal haven while also including design ideas to entertain your friends. If it's billiards, foosball, watching the big game or movies on TV, or honing your craft, you can design this third level of your home to be exactly what you need and wish for.