West Cary Basement Transformation: Open Concept
“Comfort, Character, and Connection—All on One Level.”
A Brief Overview
This open-concept basement was designed as a gathering space for family and friends—a place for the kids to enjoy before heading off to college. Blending transitional and rustic elements, it offers a warm, inviting environment for both everyday living and special occasions.
The layout includes a home gym, office, ample storage, and a standout home theater—fully soundproofed and custom-designed for immersive movie nights and game-day viewing. To enhance flow and bring in natural light, non-load-bearing walls were removed and a multi-slide door added, opening sightlines to the backyard hardscapes and strengthening the indoor-outdoor connection.
Custom barn doors and a built-in curved window bench add unique character, while the fully equipped kitchenette—with quartz countertops and custom cabinetry—serves as a central gathering hub. Cohesive finishes, warm wood tones, and crisp whites tie the space together. Every detail reflects a commitment to comfort, function, and timeless design.
Year
Design Style
Design Timeline
Timeline to Build
Budget
Location
2025
Transitional, Rustic
3.5 months
4-5 months
$239,000
West Cary, NC
Year
2025
Design Style
Transitional, Rustic
Design Timeline
3.5 months
Timeline to Build
4-5 months
Budget
$239,000
Location
West Cary, NC
Key Features
| . | |
|---|---|
| - Custom Barn Doors | - Custom Barn Doors |
| - Built-in Curved Window Bench Seating | - Built-in Curved Window Bench Seating |
| - Fully equipped Kitchenette for Entertaining | - Fully equipped Kitchenette for Entertaining |
| - Gym with Custom Mirror Wall | - Gym with Custom Mirror Wall |
| - Soundproofed Theater for Immersive Viewing | - Soundproofed Theater for Immersive Viewing |
Key Selections
| . | . | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flooring: | Canopy Floors 9” Comfort in Creekside Walnut Luxury Vinyl Plank | {{selection_title}} | Canopy Floors 9” Comfort in Creekside Walnut Luxury Vinyl Plank |
| Wall Paint: | Sherwin Williams 6253 Olympus White | {{selection_title}} | Sherwin Williams 6253 Olympus White |
| Trim Paint: | Sherwin Williams 7006 Extra White | {{selection_title}} | Sherwin Williams 7006 Extra White |
| Cabinet Vendor: | Tice Kitchen & Interiors | {{selection_title}} | Tice Kitchen & Interiors |
| Kitchenette Countertops: | MSI Calacatta Safyra Quartz | {{selection_title}} | MSI Calacatta Safyra Quartz |
Challenge
Creating a more open-concept basement meant removing non-load-bearing walls, but structural supports for the three floors above limited flexibility and required creative engineering.
Logistics were also a challenge—moving materials downstairs was difficult, and the home’s side-load garage meant the dumpster had to be staged in the yard due to poor street access. Another hurdle was designing the mechanical closet to house two HVAC systems (one for the basement, one for the main floor). To make them fit, we had to creatively reconfigure components of the existing main floor system.
Solution
We navigated the structural constraints by strategically opening the layout without compromising stability. The mechanical closet was reworked to house both HVAC units efficiently. The multi-slide door brought natural light deep into the basement, making the space feel bright and connected to the backyard.
Custom touches—including barn doors, a curved window bench, and a fully soundproofed home theater—gave the basement personality and function. The result is a versatile retreat for work, fitness, and entertainment.
Design
A warm, open-concept layout designed for family connection and entertaining.
- Home gym, office, storage, and a custom theater designed for everyday use and special occasions.
- Removed non-load-bearing walls to improve flow and create openness.
- Installed a multi-slide door for natural light and backyard access.
- Fully equipped kitchenette with quartz countertops and custom cabinetry.
- Rustic touches—barn doors, curved bench—add character to the clean transitional design.
Build
Craftsmanship with careful logistical planning.
- Opened basement layout under the structural load of three upper floors.
- Overcame material delivery challenges with side-load garage and limited street access.
- Reconfigured mechanical closet to fit two HVAC systems in one space
- Installed soundproofing in the theater and a mirror wall in the gym.
- Built custom barn doors and curved window bench with precision carpentry.
- Integrated multi-slide door for improved light and flow to the backyard.
Love it!
The homeowners love how their basement now blends style, function, and comfort. The theater has become a family favorite for immersive movie nights and game-day gatherings, while the kitchenette serves as a natural hub for entertaining.
The built-in curved bench and barn doors bring a personal touch, and the home gym makes fitness convenient. From warm wood tones to crisp white trim, every finish feels cohesive and inviting. As the homeowner put it: “The best decision I ever made was hiring Noble Renovation.”
