Every basement is different — but after finishing hundreds of them across Utah County, we’ve noticed some clear trends in what homeowners are asking for. Here are the five basement concepts we’re building most in 2025, along with what makes each one work.
1. The Family Retreat
Still the most popular layout: a large open family room, one or two bedrooms, and a full bathroom. This is the workhorse of basement finishes — it adds immediate livable square footage and works for growing families, aging-in-place parents, or visiting extended family (a big deal in Utah County).
What makes it great in 2025: We’re seeing more homeowners add a dedicated homework/homework nook off the main family room — a small desk area with built-in shelving that keeps kids’ school stuff out of the main living area upstairs.
2. The Home Theater Room
Basements are perfect for home theaters — no windows to create glare, and the concrete walls naturally block sound from traveling upstairs. We build everything from simple media walls with a mounted 85″ TV to full acoustic-treated rooms with tiered seating, projectors, and custom lighting.
What makes it great in 2025: Projectors have gotten dramatically better and cheaper. We’re installing a lot of short-throw laser projectors that give you a 100″+ image from just a few feet away — no ceiling-mount required, and no lamp to replace.
3. The ADU-Ready Basement (Accessory Dwelling)
With housing costs in Utah County, more homeowners are finishing basements with a separate entrance, full kitchen, living area, bedroom, and bathroom — creating rental income or multigenerational living space. This is especially popular in Provo, Orem, and Lehi where property values have risen sharply.
What makes it great in 2025: Utah County has streamlined ADU permitting in several cities. Check your city’s regulations — and let us help you navigate the permit process.
4. The Home Gym + Storage Combo
Not every homeowner wants to finish the entire basement. A very popular option: finish half the basement as a proper home gym (rubber flooring, mirror wall, dedicated circuit for equipment, maybe a mini-split for climate control) and leave the other half as organized storage with built-in shelving.
What makes it great in 2025: We’ve gotten good at making the transition between “finished” and “unfinished” look intentional — a clean framed wall with a door, good lighting on both sides.
5. The Work-From-Home Office Suite
Remote work has made the basement home office a serious investment. We’re building dedicated office spaces with great sound insulation (so Zoom calls aren’t interrupted by kids upstairs), ethernet drops, proper lighting designed for video calls, and built-in bookshelves that look professional on camera.
What makes it great in 2025: Adding a half-bath right off a basement office makes it a self-contained work suite. No need to go upstairs during the workday.
Ready to Plan Your Basement?
We serve all 21 cities in Utah County — from Provo and Orem to Eagle Mountain, Saratoga Springs, Payson, and everywhere in between. Our in-home estimates are free, no-pressure, and usually happen within a week of your call.
Call or text (801) 367-8541 to get started.
