eparys

My first thing would be triple the amount of electric outlets you think you need. Next is storage, storage and more storage. The last thing I would say is a sturdy table top with great light for cutting.

QuiltnLady1

Put some outlets about waist high -- especially for the iron.

Pegboard on the wall can be used for hang shelves, hooks for rulers, scissors, etc. I have thread hanging on some pegs, and then when I want to change things it is easy to re-arrange.

Be careful of using drawers that you can't see into -- then can become the land of the lost.

As big a design wall as you can -- I wish mine could hold a quilt larger than a double.

leiladylei54

Ample amount of electrical outlets, big cutting table, design wall, shelves and more shelves for your stash!!!

MYWR

DH made me a table in the middle of my office/sewing room which is up on sawhorses and is about 40" high - I have hard wood floors and got a put-together play mat (8 pieces) at SAMs for anti-fatigue to stand on when I am cutting or measuirng or ironing something large. The table is two 6 foot cheap tables put together so the area is nice and large. I put a skirt around it to the floor (took about 7.5 yards - so I have sotrage underneath - I wouldn't trade this for anything !!

Elisabethann

I would love to have a dedicated ironing table - oversized and a dedicated cutting table. Right now these are shared spaces and it is not ideal.

Also a design wall - super big :) outlets, outlets. I too am visual, and like to see my stuff. That includes rulers and tools. Sometimes I forget what I have. Then I ending up with 2 b/c I buy another one.

sisLH

Easy accessibility to everything. And, yes, the lighting.

kraftykimberly

TOP TEN, not necessarily in any order:

1. Dedicated stations (cutting, pressing, sewing)
2. Design board as big as your space will allow
3. Blank counter space for "work in progress" supply storage, as in patterns, fabric, cut pieces, sewn blocks, thread, etc.
4. Fabric storage that will protect fabric from sunlight and dust
5. Ditto for thread storage
6. Computer with internet and a printer
7. IPOD player
8. Flat screen with dvd and/or cable
9. Dorm size (or larger) microwave
10. Dorm size (or larger) fridge

Enjoy designing your new space and post pics when its done.

GagaSmith

I think good lighting is sooooo important. Especially in a basement.

greensleeves

You've started with the right idea, a dedicated iron outlet. The only thing I can add to all the good ideas given is that your tables be at a comfortable height for working.

Kooklabell

My sister did this in her basement - what a room! But she complains about air circulation - since the room is enclosed- has a door and she put in a sliding glass door for natural light. So, a fan (not above the design cutting table). A large cutting table with access to all four sides. On the walls, book shelf for books and one for material, draws for gadgets, maybe shelving for baskets - projects in the works baskets (holds pattern, material and thread. MMMM Good lighting with the ability to turn on some and not others (keeps heat and electricity cost down) A TV with cable connection, phone, stereo :) Oh, a computer for access to the board and patterns.

I do hate that my sister doesn't have a place for me to sit when I come to visit. :(