Basement Apartment Design

[Jeremy Gwaltney]

Hello everyone,

I am looking at possible designs for finishing out my basement. The idea is that a friend will live in the unit for two years to pay the loan down. Then I plan to rent it out on AirBNB, so I do not have a long term tenant living at my personal residence. I wanted to get some thoughts from those of you who are more experienced on design/layout of the unit. It is currently cinderblock walls all the way around with two support columns that cannot be removed due to the cost. The columns are no more then 6" in diameter.  Please take a look at the photos below, and let me know your thoughts on where to put everything. Keep in mind, all of the plumbing for the unit is in the lower left hand corner left of the entrance to the unit.

Thanks in advance for any and all advice. 

Jeremy 

[Russ Draper]

I would run the plumbing to that strange back corner and try to get the toilet/bathroom in there, bringing the bathroom over to the back post.  Then just get the kitchen in the other nook as best you can.  I think you're going to just have an awkward layout and it will be a studio.  Do you have to make a 2nd exit for this?

[Jeremy Gwaltney]

I believe I do have to add an additional exit. The 275” wall is above ground on the exterior, so I could add windows to that wall. Also, the wall the entrance is on is above ground. All other walls are underground.

[Victor Evans]

@Jeremy Gwaltney , correct. Also, keep in mind of the following:

The egress window has to open to the outside and open easily without the use of keys or tools. The window must have a minimum width of 20", minimum height of 24", a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 sq ft, and the sill height no higher than 44 inches above the floor. Finally, the window-well floor space of 9 sq. ft with minimum dimensions of 36 inches wide and long. Depending on your site conditions, this could be an expensive job... good luck.

[Jeff Weaver]

If it's a studio ( 1 room with a bath) and you already have a exterior door going directly outside from this space, then you do not need any other egress opening the door you have meets the requirements.

If you do need a egress window Just to clarify on the 20x24 size : it's a 20wx24h clear opening of a window not a window size and to get 5.7 sq ft one of those dimensions needs to be larger.