Ideas to transform the half wall ledge in your basement into something you can use. Learn the basics of adding or removing a half wall from your home!
Did you move into a house with a finished basement but it looks like one wall was only partly finished? Don’t worry, this is not the lacking job of a construction worker. A half wall ledge is something that has become increasingly popular in interior design.
Half wall ledge ideas can be hard to come by because the style is still relatively new but they really do create a unique and creative basement. I’m going to share with you 4 great half wall ledge ideas to improve your basement, but also any other room in your house!
Before we get to those half wall ledge ideas, let’s talk about removing or installing a half wall ledge in your house.
Can I Remove A Half Wall From My Basement?
Half walls can be removed from your basement if you would rather not find a way to use it.
However, they can also be added in. If you’re planning on a basement renovation for a finished or unfinished basement, you can have a half wall installed – or even do it yourself!
How Do I Remove A Half Wall Ledge?
First and foremost, you need to make sure there aren’t any wires or pipes that run through the wall. To do this, simply pry back one or two of whatever slat, panel, or wall was used to make it. If you do find them, you won’t be able to remove it yourself. Return the walling and contact a professional.
If you don’t find anything, then you can get into the fun part: demolition. Tear the panels and supports out, and simply patch the wall and floor! Patching the wall might need to be insulated and patched with drywall, also two fairly simple things to complete yourself.
Patching the floor means you have to check if there is a concrete foundation that might keep you from patching that section level with the rest of the room. If there is, that only means you get to have a little more fun with demolition, fill the uneven parts after, and then you can lay the flooring.
If you’re looking to hire someone instead, check out bbb.org and find contractors near you!
How Do I Install A Half Wall Ledge?
Constructing a half wall is hardly any different than any other wood construction. You need wood planks and supports to put the shell together, using screws, nails, or wood glue. After the sturdy shell is made, then you can decide what you want the wall to look like.
There are so many options to choose from, such as any wood board or plank, mdf board, fake or real brick and stone, something that will match your the same wall it is connected to or will provide a contrasting look – really, anything that you prefer will work here! Wall panels are my personal favorite.
Screw, nail, or glue your materials together for the finished look!
Keep in mind that you can optimize that empty space on the inside of the wall with cabinets or drawers, giving you more storage without taking up unnecessary space in your basement or other rooms.
Bbb.org is a great place to find contractors near you and discuss half wall installations, whether you want to hire someone or just get a little information!
How Do I Finish Basement Walls?
Even in an unfinished basement, finishing basement walls or a half wall can become a DIY project for you and your friends or family. Let’s cover the basic overall idea of how to finish basement walls!
First: insulation. Materials such as expanding foam or rigid foam insulation are great options to choose from. However, when deciding on what type to use, you need to check to see if the one you want requires a vapor barrier to protect it from water or any type of moisture. This is also something to consider if any of the walls in your basement tend to collect moisture during the warmer seasons.
The barrier can be put between the house foundation walls and the insulator, and/or before the drywall to protect that from moisture, as well.
Second: drywall. After putting drywall up over your insulation and nailing it in place, you have to mud the small gaps between each drywall panel. Mud tape is another choice for those creases and corners that isn’t required but is recommended. Then you mud over the nails or screws that you used and wait for it to dry.
After it has, you can cover it with wood, decorative board, wall panels, or simply paint the drywall. When choosing the color, I recommend choosing light shades to brighten your basement since many don’t have a window for natural sun to come through. Even if there is at least one window, it’s typically only a half window that sits just above the ground and isn’t big enough to allow sunlight through.
Make sure you aren’t completely sealing off pipes! If something goes wrong with your piping, you or your plumbers need to be able to get to them to fix the problem. This issue can be solved with access panels. An access panel is a simple raised panel that opens to, you guessed it, provide access to the pipes behind your newly finished basement walls.
The same can be said for the basement ceiling. Instead of an access panel, a drop ceiling will be your best option.
Half Wall Bar
The half wall bar is probably one of the most popular, if not the #1, half wall ledge ideas you’ll find. Finished basements are a great hangout area, and what better to have down there than a bar to sit at? You don’t necessarily have to use it to serve drinks but it’s a wonderful addition to your midnight margarita party.
For a bar, I know that the choice of countertop is important. If you didn’t build the wall yourself, knowing already that you were building it for a bar, don’t worry! Adding a countertop isn’t rocket science. Or any kind of science, really.
Decide on what your theme or design is. You can put it directly in the middle, or have it hang over only one side of the wall ledge. Add supports to either side – simple shelf brackets do the trick if you’re going for the easy route with a wooden countertop. You can also use an adhesive, and you should if you poured your own concrete ledge countertop.
Half Wall Table
Basically, a bar where you don’t serve drinks! If you have a workshop or kitchen area, transforming a half wall to create a table or counter space is a great compromise instead of letting it take up room that you might need.
This is also a great idea for a basement laundry room, especially if you need more folding space!
Tabletops and countertops for this aren’t any different from the bar! Make sure there aren’t any gaps underneath the ledge where your top meets the rest of the half wall. We don’t need any insects thinking they can nest in there, and we don’t want any bowing after all your hard work.
Half Wall Shelf
There is no need for any countertops for this half wall idea! It’s the simplest of all 4 designs, requiring far less work. Placing decorative items on the ledge like flower vases, any kind of light, and little trinkets are all lovely ways to spruce up your basement. It can change the half wall enough that it becomes a focal point and, when painted or designed with different colors, contrast nicely against the other basement walls.
That doesn’t mean you can’t add a countertop! Adding even a simple wooden board adds more shelf space, and in turn more storage space for you to use! Add more shelves above that to really optimize the space above that basement half wall.
Decorate them with pictures, plants, and sentimental items that are close to your heart.
Half Wall Desk
Instead of a simple table or shelf, why not turn this into your workspace? Turning a half wall ledge into your desk really saves you the trouble of desk hunting. Not to mention, working somewhere quieter, such as your finished basement, without children hounding you every other second is a blessing.
The only requirement for turning this space into your work desk is what we’ve already talked about: tabletops. Nothing here has changed; you can make it out of your preferred material and install it to hang over your knees for the appeal of a regular desk.
It’s a great way to save money without spending on a brand new desk!