Leawood’s Ultimate Escape: Transforming an Unfinished Basement into a Luxury Spa Retreat and Hangout

Imagine stepping into a space in your own home that feels like a private sanctuary. Picture a luxurious wellness room and cool hangout just a flight of stairs away. A space catered to your families unique needs and lifestyle. Oh, and to top it all off its sleek, modern, and just the right amount of moody.  Sounds pretty nice right? 

Unlocking Hidden Potential 

Many Kansas City area homes have untapped potential in their lower levels, and for one Leawood family, that potential was an unfinished basement. This remodeling project was a journey to transform this blank space into a "spa-like, cool retreat" complete with a dedicated wellness zone, a sophisticated wet bar, and comfortable entertainment areas, along with a costume storage closet. 

The "Before": A Blank Canvas 

Before our team began, this Leawood basement was a typical unfinished space – bare concrete, exposed utilities, and a general lack of purpose. It was a blank canvas, but one that required significant vision and expertise to transform into the luxurious, multi-functional basement our clients envisioned. 

The Vision & Design Choices 

Our collaboration with these Leawood clients focused on creating a space that was both perfectly stylish and incredibly practical for their busy family with school aged kids. The goal was a seamless blend of a luxury spa experience with inviting entertainment zones. We planned the layout to incorporate distinct areas while maintaining a cohesive, high-end design feel throughout. 

First, we established a new foundation for the separate areas of the basement. The framing process for this took around two weeks. Our team carefully followed the floor plans to ensure everything was perfectly spaced and laid out according to the design.

Next, we began the plumbing and electrical rough-in phases. Working with our trusted subcontractors, we moved pipes to accommodate the new shower in the wellness room and the sink in the bar area. 

 For entertaining and family gatherings, we designed a sophisticated bar and kitchenette area. 

For the electrical work, we relocated wires and installed new switches and outlets to perfectly suit our clients' needs.

Next, after successfully completing the rough-ins and passing all inspections, we insulated the new framing to prepare the area for drywall installation.

Since the basement was previously unfinished, we installed drywall on all the new walls and ceilings. This was a time-intensive process. Once the drywall was up, we taped and mudded all seams and joints, followed by multiple rounds of sanding. This careful preparation promised every surface was perfectly smooth and seamless, creating a flawless canvas for the final coat of paint.

Next, a fresh coat of paint brightened up the space and made it feel like a welcoming hangout spot. A unique design feature we added is the custom wood paneling divider, which sits atop the newly built pony wall. This design element visually separates the landing area at the bottom of the stairs from the bar and dining space, adding both style and clear definition to the open floor plan.

To bring our clients' vision for a luxurious, spa-like retreat to life, we designed and installed a custom steam shower, a cold plunge, and a sauna in the designated wellness area. The steam shower, which includes both a steam feature and a regular shower head, was meticulously constructed. We framed out the space, installed a specialized moisture-resistant backer board to create a waterproof barrier behind the tile, and then beautifully tiled and grouted the space, resulting in a stunning shower.

Next, we installed the flooring throughout the lower level, opting for a luxury vinyl product that offers both style and function. To ensure a perfect application, we used a specialized adhesive and taping technique and allowed the floor to properly set before it could be walked on. From a distance, it boasts a beautiful grain and the sleek, bright look of hardwood, but upon closer inspection, it reveals a unique woven texture that is comfortable underfoot. This flooring is an extremely functional and durable choice for the basement, perfectly blending aesthetics with performance.

The After: A Sanctuary Unveiled 

The completed Leawood basement is nothing short of stunning– a true testament to turning an unused space into a dream retreat. The once-bare basement now flows seamlessly from a high-end wellness zone, where the steam shower, sauna, and cold plunge offer daily rejuvenation, into vibrant entertainment and relaxation areas. 

The wellness room is more than just a spa; it's a versatile space designed for both rejuvenation and fitness. While it features luxurious amenities like the steam shower, sauna, and cold plunge, it also provides an ideal environment for workouts. There is plenty of floor space for activities such as yoga, stretching, or free weights, and full-length mirrors create an expansive feel and keep an eye on form during workouts. A sleek slider door also allows the space to be completely closed off for privacy and uninterrupted relaxation, making it a truly comprehensive retreat for both body and mind.

Just outside the wellness area is a welcoming seating space, centered around a stunning TV wall. The wall features a unique wood paneling texture that is also carried into the adjacent wet bar area to create a cohesive design. Underneath the tv, a sleek counter ledge made of Cambria Britannica Gold Warm Quartz adds a touch of luxury. This same beautiful quartz is also used for the countertops in the bar and kitchenette, ensuring a seamless and unified look throughout the lower level.