How to Finish a Basement in Georgia

Check with your local municipality for the requirements when renovating a basement. Some municipalities want basements to be at least 7 1/2 feet high. This can affect your choices for flooring, which takes away the height of the room.

Install your flooring first by laying down a subfloor that has a built-in moisture barrier. These are available in interlocking panels that make installation simple. Follow with underlay and finish the floors with laminate. You can also use tiles, carpet or vinyl flooring. Whatever floor you choose should be warm, durable and able to withstand humid conditions.

Paint the walls with a water-resistant paint such as oil-based paint or water-based paint designed for high-humidity areas. These will stand up to a damper basement and also work well in Georgia's higher-humidity locations. If you are painting over newly installed drywall, use a drywall primer before applying the paint.

Add trim along the base of the wall. Wood and synthetic trim are available and both work well in basements. Use wider trim if possible because it protects more of the drywall and is also currently in fashion. Install trim with finishing nails or construction adhesive.

Install plenty of lighting in the basement. Basements tend to have smaller windows, so they don't get as much natural light as other rooms. Use overhead lighting and sconces that suit your decor.