Finished Maplewood basement living area with sage walls, wood flooring, and sectional sofa

Maplewood, NJ Basement Renovation

Project Location icon

Courter, Maplewood, NJ

Property Type icon

House

Property Size icon

700 sqft

1 Basement

Bathrooms icon

1 powder

Project details

Portrait of Ravit Doozli, Managing Partner New Jersey at Chapter.

Project Manager

Ravit Doozli

Construction time icon

Construction Time

4 weeks

Project Budget icon

Budget

$50k-250k

$250k-500k

$500k-1M+

ROI Icon

ROI Estimate

28%

Project overview

Basements are often overlooked and underutilized, leaving a large part of a home feeling dark or outdated. At Courter Dr in Maplewood, NJ, the homeowners partnered with Chapter to transform their basement into a warm, inviting, and functional extension of their home. The renovation focused on elevating the space with modern finishes, updated lighting, and new flooring throughout the basement and staircase. Key updates included a refreshed powder room with a new vanity and designer wallpaper, as well as a fully updated wet bar featuring a new countertop, backsplash, and vibrant paint accents.

Renovated Maplewood basement powder room with tropical leaf wallpaper, navy vanity, and white quartz countertop
Maplewood basement powder room before renovation showing outdated fixtures and worn finishes
Renovated Maplewood basement gym area with updated flooring, lighting, and modern finishes
Maplewood basement gym area before renovation with unfinished walls and basic flooring
Renovated Maplewood basement living room with sage walls, sectional seating, and recessed lighting
Maplewood basement living area before renovation showing unfinished walls and dated finishes
Renovated Maplewood basement living space with built-in entertainment wall and wood flooring
Maplewood basement living area before renovation with exposed ceiling and unfinished surfaces
Renovated Maplewood basement office with two-tone blue walls, wood desk, and floating shelves
Maplewood basement office area before renovation with unfinished walls and bare flooring
Renovated Maplewood basement staircase with modern railings and updated lighting
Maplewood basement staircase before renovation showing dated treads and unfinished surroundings
Renovated Maplewood basement powder room with tropical leaf wallpaper, navy vanity, and white quartz countertop
Maplewood basement powder room before renovation showing outdated fixtures and worn finishes
Renovated Maplewood basement gym area with updated flooring, lighting, and modern finishes
Maplewood basement gym area before renovation with unfinished walls and basic flooring
Renovated Maplewood basement living room with sage walls, sectional seating, and recessed lighting
Maplewood basement living area before renovation showing unfinished walls and dated finishes
Renovated Maplewood basement living space with built-in entertainment wall and wood flooring
Maplewood basement living area before renovation with exposed ceiling and unfinished surfaces
Renovated Maplewood basement office with two-tone blue walls, wood desk, and floating shelves
Maplewood basement office area before renovation with unfinished walls and bare flooring
Renovated Maplewood basement staircase with modern railings and updated lighting
Maplewood basement staircase before renovation showing dated treads and unfinished surroundings
Renovated Maplewood basement with white built-in media console, desk, and geometric rug

Scope of work

Basement

  • Updated lighting
  • New flooring
  • New staircase

Electrical

  • Light fixtures installation

Basement powder room

  • New vanity
  • Installed designer wallpaper

Other spaces

  • New countertop. Backsplash, and paint accents

Design overview

The main design goal was to maximize every square foot, creating a basement that feels just as livable and thoughtfully designed as the rest of the house.

The design balances modern aesthetics with practical upgrades, introducing new flooring, a redesigned staircase, and layered lighting to improve both flow and brightness.

The powder room was thoughtfully refreshed with a new vanity and statement designer wallpaper, creating a moment of contrast and personality. A fully updated wet bar anchors the space, featuring a new countertop, backsplash, and energetic paint accents that bring depth and vibrancy to the overall design.

Custom white basement built-ins with TV, floating shelves, and sage green wall
Bright Maplewood basement showing new staircase, seating, and powder room doorway

Project goals

right tick icon Improve the basement’s functionality through updated flooring, staircase reconstruction, and electrical upgrades.

right-tick.svg Increase brightness and safety with new lighting layouts and fixture installations.

right-tick.svg Modernize supporting spaces, including the powder room and wet bar, with new fixtures, finishes, and surfaces.

right-tick.svg Ensure all upgrades align with current standards while enhancing the overall usability and aesthetic of the space.

“The homeowners partnered with Chapter to refresh and modernize their basement, transforming an outdated lower level into a warm and functional extension of their home.
The renovation focused on elevating the space with new finishes, upgraded lighting, and full flooring replacement throughout the basement and staircase.”
Portrait of Ravit Doozli, Project Manager at Chapter.

Ravit Doozli, Managing Partner New Jersey

Project Manager

Basement overall

The basement was fully transformed with a focus on improving light, flow, and functionality. Updated electrical work and newly installed light fixtures introduce layered lighting that brightens the space and enhances usability. New flooring throughout provides a fresh, modern foundation, while the newly redesigned staircase serves as a key architectural element, improving circulation and creating a seamless transition between levels. Together, these updates create a cohesive, welcoming environment that feels intentional and fully integrated into everyday living.

Maplewood basement living space with gray sectional, recessed lighting, and closet doors
Basement powder room with tropical leaf wallpaper, navy vanity, and white quartz top

Basement powder room

The basement powder room was refreshed to add character and sophistication within a compact footprint. A new vanity provides both function and a clean, modern aesthetic, while designer wallpaper was installed to introduce texture, pattern, and a bold visual statement. The result is a small yet impactful space that elevates the overall basement experience.

Other spaces

Additional updates focused on enhancing key functional areas through material upgrades and color. A new countertop and backsplash were installed to modernize the space and improve durability, while carefully selected paint accents add depth, contrast, and visual interest. These thoughtful details help tie the design together and contribute to a cohesive, polished finish throughout the basement.

Basement office with two-tone blue walls, wood desk, black chair, and floating shelves

Materials & finishes

Vinyl plank flooring sample used throughout Maplewood basement renovation
Vinyl Plank Flooring
Cashmere Grey countertop sample used in Maplewood basement powder room renovation
Cashmere Grey countertop
Restore Bright White 4 in. x 12 in. glazed ceramic subway wall tile used in Maplewood basement renovation
Restore Bright White 4 in. x 12 in. Glazed Ceramic Subway Wall Tile

Results

Renovating a basement is often overlooked, but it can be one of the most valuable parts of a home when designed well. In this project, we updated the flooring, improved the lighting, and redesigned the staircase to make the space brighter and more functional. The powder room received a new vanity and designer wallpaper, while the wet bar was refreshed with a new countertop, backsplash, and colorful paint accents. These changes transformed the basement into a warm, inviting, and practical space. Now, the homeowners have an additional part of their home that is fully usable and enjoyed every day.

Completed Maplewood basement with sectional sofa, built-in entertainment wall, and lighting

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