- Written by Tim Burden
The story behind a beautiful Richmond basement transformation
A Richmond refurbishment with a basement at its heart
This Richmond basement transformation formed part of a full refurbishment of a beautiful period property in Richmond upon Thames. The house spans four storeys in total, including the newly developed basement, and the project involved a complete redesign of the interior to create a home that would work effortlessly for modern family life. From the outset, the brief was to create a series of welcoming, well-considered spaces that felt both elegant and practical — somewhere the whole family could relax, entertain and spend time together.
As a Richmond interior designer, being involved from the earliest stages of a refurbishment allows us to shape both the architecture and the final atmosphere of a home. This was certainly the case with this project, where the design thinking began long before construction work started.
The project took just under twelve months from the start of building works through to completion, and throughout that time we worked closely with both the architect and the building contractor. The architect guided the project through planning and managed the structural and technical aspects of the build, while we advised on the design direction and all aesthetic decisions. Collaboration was key, and regular site visits allowed us to monitor progress, refine details and ensure the design vision translated beautifully into the finished spaces. This Richmond refurbishment sits alongside many of our wider interior design projects, where we work closely with architects and builders to bring carefully considered homes to life.
Although the refurbishment encompassed the entire house, the basement quickly became one of the most exciting parts of the project. Rather than simply creating additional square footage, the goal was to design a space that would bring the family together. The clients loved entertaining and wanted somewhere that could work equally well for relaxed evenings, lively gatherings and family time. From the early design discussions it became clear that the basement would become a dedicated entertainment space — a room that combined a cinema area, an eight-foot pool table and a wine bar in one cohesive and carefully planned layout.
Designing a basement like this is about far more than simply filling a room with features. Every element has to work together, from circulation and lighting through to acoustics and atmosphere. This was a space that needed to feel special the moment you stepped down the stairs, setting the tone for the rest of the experience.
Designing the space from the very beginning
One of the most important aspects of this project was that we were involved from the very earliest stages. Through our comprehensive interior design service, we often collaborate with architects and contractors from the beginning of a refurbishment, helping shape layouts, circulation and the overall vision for a home. Interior design works best when it is integrated into the architecture rather than added afterwards, and in this case the layout of the basement — and indeed the wider house — was heavily influenced by the interior design thinking from the start.
Furniture layouts, circulation routes and the overall function of each space informed decisions such as the positioning of doors, the alignment of windows and the proportions of rooms. By considering these elements early in the process, we were able to ensure that every part of the house would work beautifully once furnished and lived in.
The basement required particularly careful planning. The brief included three key features: a cinema viewing area, a full-size pool table and a wine bar. Each element had to sit comfortably within the room while still allowing people to move freely around the space. Pool tables require significant clearance on all sides, while cinema seating demands a carefully considered viewing angle and distance from the screen. Meanwhile, the wine bar needed to be positioned so that guests could sit and enjoy a drink without interrupting a game of pool or distracting from a film.
By mapping out the furniture and features at the design stage, we were able to create a layout that balanced all of these elements. The pool table became a central focal point, with the cinema seating arranged to one side and the wine bar positioned so that it remained connected to the room without intruding on the main activities. The result was a space that could operate in multiple ways simultaneously — a key part of making the room feel lively and sociable.
Collaboration on site and attention to detail
Once building works began, the project became a close collaboration between the design team, the architect and the contractor. Regular site visits allowed us to review progress, discuss details and ensure that the design intent was being carefully executed at every stage of the build.
Lighting played a particularly important role in shaping the atmosphere of the basement. During the first fix stage we worked closely with the contractor to ensure the electrical layout incorporated all the lighting features we had planned. This included picture lights positioned above artwork, integrated lighting within the wine rack and carefully placed spotlights to highlight key areas of the room. By coordinating these elements early, the lighting could feel intentional and layered rather than purely functional.
Material choices also helped define the character of the space. The deep blue wall colour provides a rich, atmospheric backdrop, creating a sense of depth that almost feels like being underwater in a swimming pool or aquarium. Against this colour, the warm textures of timber flooring and the tactile surfaces of furniture stand out beautifully.
To connect the basement visually with the rest of the house, we introduced a brick slip wall finish that continues down the stairwell and into the basement itself. This simple design gesture helps unify the journey through the house and makes the transition between floors feel deliberate rather than abrupt.
Even small details were carefully considered. The choice of herringbone timber flooring adds movement and elegance to the space, while the stair runner introduces softness and texture as you descend into the basement. Elements such as skirting profiles, light switches, sockets and paint finishes were all selected as part of the wider design scheme, ensuring the space felt cohesive and refined.
Bringing the basement to life
As the building works drew to a close, the focus shifted to furnishing and styling the basement so that it could truly come to life. This stage is always one of the most rewarding parts of a project, as months of planning and construction finally begin to reveal the finished vision.
The installation of the pool table alone was a memorable moment. These tables arrive in a remarkable number of individual pieces, and assembling them requires precision and patience! We spent a full day coordinating the installation to ensure everything was perfectly aligned and ready for play.
Another logistical challenge involved the main sofa for the cinema area. Due to its size, it couldn’t be brought down through the house in the usual way. Instead, it was carefully lowered through the glass walk-on floor above — a dramatic moment that perfectly illustrates the level of coordination required during projects like this.
Once the key furniture pieces were in place, the final layer of the design could unfold. A large rug anchors the seating area, while custom-painted artworks were installed to bring colour and personality to the walls. Lighting fixtures were fitted, the wine rack illuminated and the cinema equipment tested.
The finished basement now serves as a lively and versatile entertainment space within this Richmond family home. Whether it’s a quiet film night, a competitive game of pool or a gathering of friends around the wine bar, the room adapts effortlessly to different occasions. More than anything, the project demonstrates the value of integrating interior design thinking from the very beginning of a refurbishment. By considering layout, materials, lighting and furniture in parallel with the architecture and construction, it’s possible to create spaces that feel both purposeful and beautifully cohesive — and in this case, a Richmond basement that has become one of the most enjoyable rooms in the house.
The finished space became a dedicated cinema and games room, which you can explore in more detail in our Basement Cinema and Games Room project. If you’re planning a refurbishment project in Richmond upon Thames and would like to discuss your ideas, feel free to get in touch.
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