How Much Does it Cost to Furnish a Basement?

*We aim to update cost articles twice per year to ensure that the costs listed reflect the current market. This article was last updated in March 2022.

Furnishing a home can be a big project … Now that is an understatement!

With so much furniture to buy, rooms to fill, and belongings to unpack, the basement is often an afterthought. In fact, too often the basement turns into an unorganized mess full of clutter and storage. What a shame for such a large space in your home, full of potential and possibilities, to go left unused. 

Well, it is finally time to dust off the boxes and furnish the basement of your dreams!

At La-Z-Boy, we have been furnishing homes for over 90 years, and that includes basements. We often get asked, how much does it cost to furnish a basement?

Whether you are undertaking a complete basement renovation or simply furnishing a finished basement, it is important to know how much you should expect to spend. 

This article will explain how to create a basement furniture budget and break down the average costs of all the basement furniture essentials.

Disclaimer:

*All La-Z-Boy prices listed in this article are subject to change. We aim to update all cost-related articles twice per year. This article was last updated in May 24th, 2023. Contact your local Ottawa or Kingston location by phone or in person for up-to-date pricing.

Table of Contents ...

1. Creating a Basement Furniture Budget

2. Breakdown of Basement Furniture Costs

a) Cost of Seating Arrangement

b) Cost of Occasional Tables

c) Cost of Entertainment Unit

d) Cost of Lighting

e) Cost of Area Rug

f) Cost of Artwork & Accessories

3. Basement Furnishing Costs Beyond the Essentials

Creating a Basement Furniture Budget

The first step of creating a budget is to know what you are budgeting for. 

Start by considering the size of your space and the number of people that will use it. With this, make a detailed list of the furniture you will need to fill the space and comfortably host your friends and family. Do you already have a few pieces that you love? Great, this will save you some money in the process.

Although there are many items and details that contribute to making your basement a cozy and entertaining room in your home, this budget is solely based on basement furnishing essentials. Put your needs before desires in this preliminary furnishing budget. 

Take a look at the chart below to get a better idea of what we will consider ‘basement furnishings’ for the purposes of this article:

Once you have made a complete and detailed shopping list, it is time to make another crucial budgeting decision … save or splurge? This is your basement, after all, the amount that you decide to invest in basement furniture is entirely up to you. 

It may be a good idea to go through your list, item-by-item, and decide which items are worth splurging on and which items you can bargain for.

Breakdown of Basement Furniture Costs

The basement is a great place to curl up with the family and watch a movie! A big comfy sectional and a sturdy TV unit are definitely essential. 

Moreover, you will likely need a cozy area rug and a couple of lamps to warm up the cold and dark space. Don’t forget some occasional tables to place your popcorn and movie snacks.

Below is a chart that outlines these typical furniture items found in a basement ...

Basement Furniture Budget (at a glance)

It is important to note that this budget breakdown offers only a broad idea of what you should expect to spend on furnishing your basement. Keep in mind that these cost averages are subject to change depending on your unique space and preferences.

To get a more accurate estimate of what your basement might cost, let’s take a deeper look at the cost considerations of each element of a basement furniture budget.

Cost of a Basement Seating Arrangement

One of the most common ways to fill a basement seating arrangement is with a big sectional sofa. 

Basements are typically used for gathering to relax, watch movies, and enjoy gaming events. In turn, sectionals offer ample seating and shared comfort for the entire family and house guests. 

On average, the cost of a sectional is about $2,100 to $3,500. At La-Z-Boy, sectional costs range from $3,799 to $18,000 or more. 

The cost of a sectional depends on a variety of factors such as size, configuration, quality, and materials. More specifically, the upholstery cover is a huge indicator of cost given that a leather sectional can be significantly more expensive than a fabric sectional.

Further, many sectionals are offered with upgrades such as the ability to recline, power reclining mechanism, middle consoles, headrest & lumbar support, or even heat & massage. Each upgrade is subject to increase the overall cost of a basement sectional. 

For more information, take a look at the Comprehensive Sectional Buyers Guide.

Although a sectional is a popular choice for a basement, a sectional isn’t the only seating option. Instead, you may consider creating a seating arrangement with a combination of sofas, loveseats, and comfy recliner chairs. You may even consider incorporating a murphy or sofa bed for overnight guests. 

Take a look at the average costs of these items:

Similar to the cost of a sectional, the cost of a recliner chair, loveseat, and sofa are subject to increase depending on chosen customizations and upgrades. 

Aside from comfy sofas and sectionals, there are other forms of seating you may incorporate into your basement. Perhaps you have installed a bar area. In this case, you will need to consider the cost of bar stools. If you are big into games, you may have a games table that will require dining chairs. 

Take a look at the average cost of these items:

Cost of Basement Occasional Tables

As you kick back and relax in your big comfy sectional, you will need a convenient place to rest your drinks and snacks. This is where occasional tables come in. 

It is a good idea to have at least two end tables mixed into your seating arrangement. The end tables are typically placed on either end of the sectional or sofa. They could also be placed beside a chair. 

As previously mentioned, an end table costs an average of $150 to $1,300. Considering you will likely want at least two end tables, expect to spend about $300 to $3,000. 

Further, no basement seating arrangement is complete without a coffee table. In fact, the coffee table is the focal point that brings a seating arrangement together, especially if you have a combination of chairs and sofas. 

A coffee table costs between $200 to $1,800. Unlike end tables, you typically only need one coffee table in a basement. 

Finally, a dining room table may be incorporated if you intend on dining in your basement or using it as a games table. In this case, a dining table costs between $150 to $4,000.

With these cost averages in mind, the overall cost of an occasional table is ultimately dependent on the size, shape, style, quality of materials, and level of craftsmanship.

Cost of a Basement Entertainment Unit

Every basement needs an entertainment unit. After all, the entertainment unit frames the grand attraction of the basement … the television! 

According to our budget breakdown, the cost of an entertainment unit is about $600 to $3,500. The cost of an entertainment unit is dependent on the same factors as occasional tables, as mentioned above. 

With this being said, the overall cost of a basement entertainment unit does not end there. Keep in mind the additional expense of the technology that you will need to fill the entertainment unit.

Although technology is not a part of the furnishing budget, still keep in mind the expense of television, gaming systems, and sound systems.

Cost of Basement Lighting

Basements are known to be dark and chilly. Incorporating lamps is a great way to brighten and warm up the space. 

The average cost of a lamp is between $200 to $900. With this, it is a good idea to budget for two table lamps, for each end table, and one floor lamp. In this case, expect to spend about $600 to $2,700 on basement lighting. 

To learn more about incorporating lamps in your basement design, take a look at How to Add Lighting to Your Living Room Using Table Lamps. You may also find useful information in the lighting section of Ideas for Decorating your Living Room.

Cost of a Basement Area Rug

If your basement flooring is carpet, you can avoid the expense on an area rug altogether.

If not, an area rug is an effective way of warming up the space and creating a nice barrier for your feet on the cold basement floor. 

Further, a large area rug is a great way to complete the furniture arrangement and create a cozy-looking atmosphere.  

The cost of an area rug ranges from about $100 to $4,000. At La-Z-Boy, Surya area rugs cost about $200 to $15,000 or more.

The overall cost of an area rug is dependent on a variety of factors including size, materials, construction method, style, and overall quality. Keep in mind that an area rug for a basement will likely need to be fairly large and durable, which will impact the cost. 

As you shop for an area rug you may find useful tips in the article How to Select the Perfect Area Rug for Your Home.

Cost of Basement Artwork & Accessories

Finally, jazz up your basement with some artwork and accessories. This is where your lifestyle and personality will shine through. 

If you are going for a more sophisticated look, you may opt for some large artwork on the walls or interesting sculptural art. 

Perhaps you are going for a man cave look? In this case, you may invest in some vintage posters and neon wall signs, reflective of a bar atmosphere. 

Maybe you are family-oriented and will have lots of kids using this space. The basement can be the perfect place to showcase your children’s artwork or a gallery wall of family photos. 

Further, to make your basement space feel warm, cozy, and livable, it is a good idea to add texture and depth to the space using decorative pillows and throw blankets. 

Considering that there are so many different approaches to decorating a basement space, it is difficult to estimate the cost for artwork and accessories. While a professionally painted canvas can cost thousands, your child’s macaroni & cheese painting is priceless. 

With this in mind, it is a good idea to furnish the rest of your basement before allocating a budget to decor. Think of artwork and accessories as the cherry on top. Spend what you can but also remember that you can work on this aspect of the basement once you have some more cash in the piggy bank.

Basement Furnishing Costs Beyond the Essentials

With these furniture items in mind, the possibilities for furnishing your basement are endless. Beyond this traditional basement cost breakdown, the sky’s the limit!

If you intend on using your basement for more non-traditional purposes, such as a games room or fitness room, the cost of your basement will likely exceed the cost breakdown provided above.  

Some popular basement uses are:

• Games Room
• Fitness Room
• Kids Playroom
• Home Bar
• Spare Bedrooms

Take a look at the 20 of the Coolest Basement Ideas or this Ottawa-Greenboro basement makeover to get inspired. 

What's Next?

So there you have it! Generally speaking, furnishing a traditional basement costs about $2,700 and $22,700 or more.

With this budget in mind, you are ready to start shopping! 

At La-Z-Boy, we have a large furniture selection suited for the basement space. Take a look at some of our best sellers:

• Top 5 La-Z-Boy Sectionals
• Top 5 La-Z-Boy Sofas
• Top 5 La-Z-Boy Sofa Beds
• Top 5 La-Z-Boy Recliners

Beyond our comfortable and quality upholstery selection, many clients are surprised to learn that we also have a range of casegoods, such as end tables, coffee tables, and entertainment units. Take a look at our Hammary, Kincaid, and American Drew collections. 

We understand that furnishing a basement from scratch can be a daunting task, especially if you struggle with home design. That is why we offer complimentary design services at La-Z-Boy. Our expert designers can assist you in designing the basement of your dreams, matching your exact tastes and preferences. 

Visit us at a local Ottawa or Kingston location to get started today. If you prefer to plan in advance, schedule an appointment online.

We look forward to meeting you!

Related Links:

2020 Basement Renovation Costs 

Before & After Basement Makeover

Cost to Furnish a House: Cost Breakdown Room by Room