Do you think you can LEARN to use a scraproom in basement?

It will take you getting in the habit of going downstairs. I like the suggestion of using a baby monitor.

My room is upstairs in the front of the house away from everyone. I love it. I like I can leave things out and no one bothers them. I wouldn't want to use the dining room table nor our bedroom as I'd always have to put everything away.

Invite friends over and scrap in the basement. You'll begin to feel comfortable.

As long as it has got natural light, then I would say learn to use it. I would not setup a PL station in my bedroom or any common room unless it was in a secretary or another piece of furniture that could be closed to hide the mess. And I would not like the schlepping of tools and products to another location.

You say the room is very large? Is there a way you could carve out a sitting area or TV area into the room so that others could keep you company down there?

Since it's a pretty basement with natural light, use it. When your friend comes over, scrap in the basement. Just getting use to it will be helpful and help you get into the habit. I do like the baby monitor idea too. But my first thought upon reading was like many posters already said, setting up some area for your other family members to be down there. Depending upon what your family likes and needs: toy/TV area, board game/gaming station, reading nook....

If you just can't do it, is there a way to switch rooms around with something else?

Good luck.

How far it is from other things might turn out to be one of the things you like best about it in time...lol I think you can do a lot to make it a space you want to go to... Make it your own, create some good memories there... The baby monitors are a great idea if you want to keep an ear out... If you like scrapping with a cup of tea, put a kettle down there... If you like music or movies on, set up speakers or a tv/stand for your iPad... If you're missing some human contact, invite a friend over or have the kids down to craft/watch a movie/read in a nook while you scrap... I think it sounds a bit overwhelming maybe because it's so open - you can set it up and use it however you want... But once you decide that, I'm sure you'll love having the space...


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I think you have to evaluate why you're not using it. I originally had my room in the basement but the fact that it was so far away from everyone else kept me from using it much. DD even came down with me and played sometimes but no amount of getting used to it changed my desire to be closer to my family and the other things that were going on in the house. So I commandeered DD's play room that she never used (seems she likes to be by everyone else too and always brought her toys into the living room).

So, think about why you don't use it. Is it something you can fix or is it something that can not be changed?

 
I have a setup similar to yours. My studio is in a large daylight finished basement away from the rest of the house. I liked this BECAUSE it gave me a nice space away from everything else going on. DH doesn't like looking at my "mess", and frankly, I don't like looking at it either when I'm not down there working on something. I like that if I have to stop what I'm doing to attend to something else, I can just leave everything as is and walk away without having to clean up in between or having anyone messing with the stuff I've left out. When I'm scrapping (or working, I work from home too), I really dislike the distraction of being right in the middle of everything especially when I'm trying to concentrate. I will say that I tend to not go down there at night once DH is home, but that is more because I want to spend some time with him and he likes to spend some quality time with his big screen and LaZBoy at the end of the day, LOL.

For me, a big part of really enjoying my space is the ability to have friends come over and work on their stuff with me, which was a luxury I didn't have at my old house. I just had a friend come over for the weekend and it was SO nice to be able to go down there and work on my stuff without all of the constant interruptions and distractions. DH took DD to our cabin on Saturday and part of Sunday, but even once they were back home and playing video games upstairs on Sunday afternoon, friend and I could continue to work down there in relative peace and quiet, enjoying our adult conversations.    I was able to accomplish more last weekend than I have ever gotten done at any other crop or sleep away weekend retreat I've gone to, and that's saying something.

When I get my built-ins done down there and the space is completely set up and my stuff is unpacked, it will truly be like my own personal scrapping retreat and honestly I can't wait. I said to my friend, "Can you imagine how much fun this will be when it's all done and everybody (in our group of six) can come for the whole weekend?" She agreed! Why pay to go away somewhere when I have a lovely space right here, and all of my stuff is right here to boot? I can't even imagine wanting to have a friend over to scrap and doing so at my kitchen table in the middle of everything when I have a much nicer, quieter, more suitable space just downstairs where everything is right there and handy, so there has to be some other reason why you're not wanting to use your room. My guess is that you don't want to hang out down there by yourself, so the logical answer to me at least would be to start scheduling some regular scrapping days and invite over some friends to come and work on their stuff with you. Once you've hosted a couple all day Saturday crops in the space you probably will grow to love the fact that you and your friends can't hear your DH or kids thumping around upstairs, aren't distracted by the mess in the kitchen sink or the pile of laundry that needs to be folded!

My scrap room is in my basement also.  When the kids were younger it was great since their playroom is right next to it.  About a year ago I hated going down there, so when my husband traveled I would drag my stuff to the kitchen and scrap.  It worked out for a while and was a great way for me to get things done in little pieces.  Then I got sick of looking at everything being out and constantly running into the basement for more supplies.  So I am back down there now - and happy that it is all together and not scattered.  

My scrap room is in my basement. It used to be on our 2nd floor in our 4th bedroom. It does take some getting used to, but I love having my own space and not feeling the need to clean up each time I craft.
We are in the middle of remodeling the room next door to my craft room to make it a den for our boys. It will be interesting to see how the dynamics change when they are down there more often.
I would definitely try to make it work-I wouldn't make a PL station in your bedroom. I rarely bring my craft stuff upstairs. The only exception was holiday cards a few years ago. They took forever, and I wanted to see my family. Ha ha.

I think any new space takes time to get used to but it sounds like it'll be a great space for you. I used to craft at the dining table but now have a dedicated space at the back of the house. I love that I can leave everything out. It also helps that you can leave a page or project as is and don't need to kep 'finishing' or getting to a certain point so you can pack things away.

Why not try and spend time there each day and see how it grows on you!

In my last house, I had a basement scrap room. At first I felt weird being down there by myself. What if the kids needed me? ( I couldn't hear them! ) What if they thought I was trying to avoid them? ( I was ! ) What if, what if?  But pretty soon, I figured out that if they needed me, they knew where to find me. And even when they didn't need me but just wanted to harass me, they knew where I was. 

And I got used to my room. And it all worked out.

sure I could! but if, and only if:
1) the basement was finished
2) it was a designated room with a door
3) there was lots of light (natural or artificial, doesn't make a diff)
4) the basement doesn't feel or smell moldy
5) the basement doesn't experiences extreme temps like too hot or too cold

I know you said you have a child that will be a senior and I am not sure about the age of your other kids.   One thing that helps me when the kids are in school is to go into my scraproom each day and work 15-30 minutes on the project I have out.  I don't have the time due to working, housework, etc. to spend half a day on layouts, but it makes me feel better to feel like I am getting something accomplished and making headway.  

My scraproom is in our finished basement too. It does have natural light (it's one of those walk out basements that's half underground), and I love my space! Half of the room is considered the den with bookcases and a big TV, but DH hates the sofa in there so he prefers to stay up in the living room. I've closed off my half of the room with 4 big bookcases and then the rest is done by a wall.

I LOVE it down here. It's my sanctuary. Make it yours. Fill it with things you love. Art, music, collectibles. It doesn't all have to be scrap stuff. Make it reflect you and you just might feel happier in that room.

Debbie in MD.