Having spent so much time at home in the past year, many have realized they need more space in their home that’s functional -- but house hunting can be a grind. Instead of just using it for storage, many homeowners are now opting to add living space to their home by finishing the basement. AdDepending on the size of the basement, Smith said, space can be converted into additional bedrooms and bathrooms, game rooms, a second kitchen, mini-bar, a workout room or an office. “It’s just taking the time to work with someone to understand how they can convert that into useable, functional space,” Smith said. “People are really starting to take advantage of finishing basements for added living space that they didn’t think about before.