In this week’s House to Home 08-11-12, we have two articles on great ideas for making the space in your basement more than just livable — it can be incredible. Every house I lived in had a finished basement, and what a gift.  It provides room for the kids to sprawl out and enjoy the space. It offers a full bath and a bedroom that’s away from the rest of the house — perfect for teens, visitors or college kids transitioning from home to independence.

One big advantage during the summer is it’s the coolest place in the house. My husband says we could hang meat down there.

Take a peek at the articles in this week’s House to Home. The picture above is from this article about planning and making the space work for you.

This second article shows you what one family did to create a gameroom that makes the most of a fireplace and more. After you see these two ideas, you may want to come up with a plan of your own for basement remodeling.

And here’s an article on designer man caves. Some of them are a little out there, but they are in homes priced from about $900,000 to well over $1 million.

Other links to man caves: 12 coolest man caves and DIY Network’s top man caves.

Pam Parker has covered real estate in northwestern Pennsylvania for 23 years. She is an award-winning writer and editor for Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa.