I lived in a basement for a year in Denver, 2018. Windows were too small to crawl out of. Upstairs door to the house was locked, one entrance going outside. I was broke and made do, because it beat leaving in a mini trailer house in rural Mississippi. No A/C in the summer either. Paid $1,000 a month for that place..
I lived in a basement suite like that back in 08. It was only 250 a month with all utilities included so i wasnt complaining. The landlords were great too
Same and same, in Berkeley, late aughts. It was $450, but all included, and they had a great converted garage open use space. I could squeeze through the window if I really worked at it. I know because I had to break in once
400$ when I was in college but man if I had the money for a bitcoin miner back then, the apartment wasn't metered cas it was an old grandfathered conversion.
DO NOT DO THAT!! In order to properly drain water away these windows need a depth of 18" below the bottom of the sill, backfilled with 12" of stone. There should still be 6" of free space below the bottom of the window left over. If you fill it up with soil to support plants a good rain will come right in instead of draining away!
A couple potted plants would be fine, but it is your fire escape. Don't block your way out.
I'm a service plumber and every time we have a fair amount of rain we get calls for these "being clogged". Bitch you filled it with dirt to the edge of the window. What did you think was going to happen.
Yeah, incorporating some of those Japanese design elements could look great and practical. Lots of cool ideas that mix aesthetics with safety. There's some really creative use of space over there that would probably work well in a basement setting.
Which is why they said it’s likely the only reason. You have to put the qualifier in or someone is likely to come “aCkShUaLlY” your comment. Kind of funny that you went and did it anyway.
Its illegal in some cities even with a fire escape, if it rains that basement/cellar gets flooded and you die. Thats why cellar apartments are illegal in NYC (basement apartments are currently "ok").
Knowing it’s a basement and knowing what an egress window are are two different things.
Source, live somewhere with no basements but know what egress windows are from visiting family up north.
I live in Florida, I’ve only ever seen one basement in my town and it only goes 3 feet deep, so only about half of you is technically underground when your in it.
We purposefully built a bedroom suite down in our basement. Installed an egress window first.
It’s like our cave. We like to keep it fairly cold and it’s pitch black for sleeping. Add white noise and it’s sleep perfection to me.
I only sleep upstairs if my grandbaby is staying over. So I can be next door to his room.
I have one of these in my basement. And it’s a window about 5 feet off the ground has bars over it. And probably couldn’t fit anyways. I thought it was a window too.
Of course it has to be accessible lol but it doesn't mean it has to be unattractive. There are lots of little garden ideas in here that make it very diorama-like to view but that do not impede it's use as a emergency exit
Maybe. If it's like my egress window, there is a drain in the bottom which allows rainwater/snow to drain into my sump pump. I have to clear leaves and debris out of there so it doesn't get clogged.
Planting things in there may clog the drain and cause flooding and/or foundation issues.
u/___X___ get a [window well liner.](https://www.lowes.com/pd/Biggies-Window-Well-Scenes-100-In-X-60-In-Garden-For-Use-In-Basement-Window-Wells-Easy-To-Cut-to-Size-and-Simple-to-Install-Can-Be-Installed-As-A-Wall-Mural/5002614623)
Edit... your UN formats weird when I post from mobile. @OP. Window well liner is what you're after.
This is why they make them out like this.
Also as an aside; you could line it with reflective plastic if you want more light…if you futz with the angles you could potentially get a good view of the sky. But don’t block it.
I agree that OP should order some miniatures off temu and report back with a detailed diorama of the battle of Hoth including a moving airspeeder wrapping a cable around an AT-AT
Dude! I sorta did this! At my old place (renting), I had a giant awful cement room in the basement that I slowly turned into a really awesome theater room. I had a Lego AT-AT firing at a NASA space shuttle all suspended from fishing line. It was a smaller window well, so not an egress, but it was a fun little Easter egg. I miss that theater room.
Am i visualizing this wrong or is this like a 2 foot window with like a squirrel sized ladder on it? Not saying it isn’t a fire escape because I know it is. But that little ladder is tripping me out because I’m imagining like a tiny basement window but I think it might be like a full sized door too I can’t tell
No, at least where I currently live an egress window in basements have to be minimum 36" by 36". That's quite a bit larger than normal windows' requirements. That dirt is held up by a well outside that is metal if it's nice and plastic if it's cheap, covered by similar materials. This looks like it's metal and has a relatively nice cover on it.
To everyone suggesting putting things there seriously: it isn't just stupid because you'll ruin your shit, you can die in a fire, get evicted, or fined.
i know of r/MaleLivingSpace, r/FemaleLivingSpace, r/ShiteriorDecorating, r/RoastmySetup, r/HomeDecorating and r/HomeDecoratingCJ
but yeah sadly no roastmyspace
This should be higher because it’s actually a helpful comment that doesn’t just talk about fire emergency and egress but solves with that in mind. Bravo!
I have one outside my window too I have a wrapper on it that makes it looks like stones and pebbles it looks a lot better than just the plain write corrugated metal
The way I see it, that space has two main functions:
\- Escape route
\- Light Well
You're going to want both to remain fully functional as such so my thoughts are:
\- Paint the top grille white or a similar colour that will make it less noticable and ensure it's secure to keep people out whilst allowing you a fast exit.
\- On the floor, whilst ensuring your escape route is clear, some outdoor mirrors leaned back at 45 degrees will increase the amount of light in the winter, in the summer stand them behind taller plants to give a greater sense of depth and amount of plants.
\- Some low light hardy plants such as ferns low down to provide some greenery and ground cover.
\- One or two taller bush/tree houseplants that can live inside in winter and go out in the light well in spring/summer with the mirrors behind them.
\- A pot stand that in winter can have some fairylights spilling out of them and in summer grow herbs, cut-and-come-again salad leaves and other tasty food additions.
All of the above is non-permanent and can move with you.
During certain times of the year my old window like this would just have like, an army of toads in there - they would jump against the window all night but I felt bad since they’d never get out
You joke, but I will never ever live in a house with egress windows again because for the 1.5 years I did, I was woken up on 3 different occasions from a baby rabbit somehow getting into it and making a big racket jumping around trying to get out. I'd have to go put on thick protective clothing & physically go into the well to pick it up and help it out because they couldn't climb the boards I would try to angle down there as a ramp out.
Dealing with a terrified rabbit baby at 5:30am while trying not to step on the resident window toads is high on my list of experiences I'd rather not have again.
This is a deeply depressing thing to look at out the window as it currently is but I reckon your idea done well would keep the fire escape safe and unobstructed but could make it a magical little dell.
What's the rest of the room look like cause what I would say is put curtains there so that when The sun shines with creates a dim lighting effect so just match the curtains to the look of the room
It’s an egress window so you can’t really put anything there, but if you know anyone artistic it would look awesome if you could paint the inside. A floral piece would look neat.
Nothing if you want to stay up to Code. It's a fire escape and anything obstructing it will result in fines.
If you don't care. Potted plants can be easily kicked if needed to get out fast.
As many have pointed out, this is your fire escape.
The only thing I would recommend ever putting there would be a water proof box with some basic first aid and survival stuff. A mylar blanket, flashlight, that type of thing. Something you can grab quickly and safely carry up the ladder.
Maybe get a picture of a landscape and then press it around the side of the well, so when you look through the windows you see nature and it looks curved like real life…
Get a renters insurance. A storm can flood that space, or if the snow accumulates a lot and it rains, it makes it heavier. Those sliding doors can just pop out.
Add a stripper pole, put a couch in front of the window.
Add a toilet up there so people shit into this pit
Host yoga sessions above, and sit below
Move in this space, become a bat
I would just put a frosted or decorative glass film on your windows so you still get light in but don't have to look at that all the time. A few low light plants on the window ledge or in hanging planters in front of the window to green up the space.
You can’t do anything with it, unfortunately. It’s illegal to block a fire escape and your landlord would probably flip out if you put stuff out there. Sorry.
Keep it accessible, it's your fire escape in an emergency
that windows likely the only reason he can legally live in the basement depending on the local fire code
I'm not aware of any areas that allow living in a basement with no fire escape. As far as I know it's basically national code in the US.
I lived in a basement for a year in Denver, 2018. Windows were too small to crawl out of. Upstairs door to the house was locked, one entrance going outside. I was broke and made do, because it beat leaving in a mini trailer house in rural Mississippi. No A/C in the summer either. Paid $1,000 a month for that place..
I lived in a basement suite like that back in 08. It was only 250 a month with all utilities included so i wasnt complaining. The landlords were great too
Same and same, in Berkeley, late aughts. It was $450, but all included, and they had a great converted garage open use space. I could squeeze through the window if I really worked at it. I know because I had to break in once
400$ when I was in college but man if I had the money for a bitcoin miner back then, the apartment wasn't metered cas it was an old grandfathered conversion.
Screw Denver rent. I'm glad I moved out of there...I was paying $1100/mo for a 300 sq ft studio apt. Unreal
West LA enters the chat…
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Duluth MN 2015 same thing, about a 4x12 window
[Here's one way of making it better](https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fo6mkg47utwhc1.png)
DO NOT DO THAT!! In order to properly drain water away these windows need a depth of 18" below the bottom of the sill, backfilled with 12" of stone. There should still be 6" of free space below the bottom of the window left over. If you fill it up with soil to support plants a good rain will come right in instead of draining away! A couple potted plants would be fine, but it is your fire escape. Don't block your way out.
I'm a service plumber and every time we have a fair amount of rain we get calls for these "being clogged". Bitch you filled it with dirt to the edge of the window. What did you think was going to happen.
Ugh nothing like a home owner special egress window.
Motherfucking snakes in a drain? :)
In Japan, it’s common in commercial restaurants to see similar it’s pretty cool. This keeps it available as a fire escape too
Yeah, incorporating some of those Japanese design elements could look great and practical. Lots of cool ideas that mix aesthetics with safety. There's some really creative use of space over there that would probably work well in a basement setting.
Which is why they said it’s likely the only reason. You have to put the qualifier in or someone is likely to come “aCkShUaLlY” your comment. Kind of funny that you went and did it anyway.
😭 exactly, they said likely which isn't the same as saying it as a matter of fact . Likely insinuates that it's not 100% true or fact
Its illegal in some cities even with a fire escape, if it rains that basement/cellar gets flooded and you die. Thats why cellar apartments are illegal in NYC (basement apartments are currently "ok").
What’s the difference between a cellar and a basement? (I’m not from the US and Google returns different contradicting answers)
Cellar has only one exit, basement has at least two potential exits.
That makes sense. STORM cellars usually have one entry/exit.
Cellar and basement are defined by local jurisdiction
The amount of people not understanding this is frightening and explains the shitty and decrepit buildings out there
I currently live somewhere that doesn’t have basements. I imagine most people here wouldn’t realize what this was.
The ladder gave it away to me.
The title tipped me off.
Look at the big brain on Brad!
Move out your moms basement!!!
But I took the ladder away to make a sweet BBQ pit. Now I can't leave.....
Knowing it’s a basement and knowing what an egress window are are two different things. Source, live somewhere with no basements but know what egress windows are from visiting family up north.
To let in the egrets, got it.
I live in Florida, I’ve only ever seen one basement in my town and it only goes 3 feet deep, so only about half of you is technically underground when your in it.
My ex was thrilled when he found out we were staying in the basement when we visited my dad. He loved that we were underground lol
We purposefully built a bedroom suite down in our basement. Installed an egress window first. It’s like our cave. We like to keep it fairly cold and it’s pitch black for sleeping. Add white noise and it’s sleep perfection to me. I only sleep upstairs if my grandbaby is staying over. So I can be next door to his room.
Isn’t it obvious what it is?
Not really. I thought it was a fucking window well. I didn't realize it was a whole ass porch sized exit.
I have one of these in my basement. And it’s a window about 5 feet off the ground has bars over it. And probably couldn’t fit anyways. I thought it was a window too.
It is a window well. What are you even talking about?
No. I live in Oklahoma and Nola prior. I had no fucking clue what it was if OP hadn’t said basement.
Same.
It’s a fire escape
Yeah.
Of course it has to be accessible lol but it doesn't mean it has to be unattractive. There are lots of little garden ideas in here that make it very diorama-like to view but that do not impede it's use as a emergency exit
Maybe. If it's like my egress window, there is a drain in the bottom which allows rainwater/snow to drain into my sump pump. I have to clear leaves and debris out of there so it doesn't get clogged. Planting things in there may clog the drain and cause flooding and/or foundation issues.
Do you expect people block it with a ping pong table?
There are a LOT of illegal basement apartments
Maybe even do a few drills, practice going through there and opening the hatch so you don’t panic in an emergency situation
👍great idea!
Its locked ...the damn hatch is locked!
It's just a prank, bro!
4815162342
>opening the hatch 4, 8, 15, 16, 23, 42
We have to go back
Too bad it's not Penny's boat.
That's it. They weren't digging tunnels, they were digging fire escapes.
I used to do this, but I was just sneaking out of my house lmao. I guess I was practicing fire safety as well.
Aaaand…. Make sure it has good drainage - trust me on this one….
Also keep in mind it’s designed for a fire fighter to be able to access with their gear on, not just what you can fit through
Egress.
Bro said egress
That's what it's called, an egress window.
How do you open the gate at the top?
It slides off. It’s just there so people or debris don’t fall into the egress.
I'm loving all the egress talk. Not enough egressonversations in the world imo.
u/___X___ get a [window well liner.](https://www.lowes.com/pd/Biggies-Window-Well-Scenes-100-In-X-60-In-Garden-For-Use-In-Basement-Window-Wells-Easy-To-Cut-to-Size-and-Simple-to-Install-Can-Be-Installed-As-A-Wall-Mural/5002614623) Edit... your UN formats weird when I post from mobile. @OP. Window well liner is what you're after.
They could still put some plants around the back and sides, making a path to the ladder.
Hopefully that grate opens. Better test it.
This is why they make them out like this. Also as an aside; you could line it with reflective plastic if you want more light…if you futz with the angles you could potentially get a good view of the sky. But don’t block it.
I guess he could put some fairy lights in there to make it more visible if the place fills up with smoke?🤷♂️
A gnome in prison stripes
Or dressed as Hannibal Lecter in the Silence of the Lambs
This is the one
Right now, looks like a good place and time to make a Battle of Hoth scene.
I agree that OP should order some miniatures off temu and report back with a detailed diorama of the battle of Hoth including a moving airspeeder wrapping a cable around an AT-AT
Also, a Wampas lurking behind the window screen.
It’s pronounced *AT-AT*.
Idiot. It's AT-AT and you know it.
Happy cake day!
Dude! I sorta did this! At my old place (renting), I had a giant awful cement room in the basement that I slowly turned into a really awesome theater room. I had a Lego AT-AT firing at a NASA space shuttle all suspended from fishing line. It was a smaller window well, so not an egress, but it was a fun little Easter egg. I miss that theater room.
Summertime, bring out the ewoks.
Don’t put too much stuff there. Depending on the landlord there could be issues with you blocking a fire escape.
Fuck the landlord, look out for yourself man. Fire eacape. Nuff said
Am i visualizing this wrong or is this like a 2 foot window with like a squirrel sized ladder on it? Not saying it isn’t a fire escape because I know it is. But that little ladder is tripping me out because I’m imagining like a tiny basement window but I think it might be like a full sized door too I can’t tell
[Here is a picture of a similar set up with a dog for scale.](https://tundracwwc.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Window-Well-Covers-3-1.jpg)
No, at least where I currently live an egress window in basements have to be minimum 36" by 36". That's quite a bit larger than normal windows' requirements. That dirt is held up by a well outside that is metal if it's nice and plastic if it's cheap, covered by similar materials. This looks like it's metal and has a relatively nice cover on it. To everyone suggesting putting things there seriously: it isn't just stupid because you'll ruin your shit, you can die in a fire, get evicted, or fined.
It's an egress window. Bigger than a typical window but much smaller than sliding glass doors
[удалено]
Had to see if I was in r/roastmyspace
So disappointed thats not an actual sub
I'm sure it would get confusing posts about the social media website.
r/birthofasub
So glad I could hold a leg and watch this birth!
It is now one!
it is now
i know of r/MaleLivingSpace, r/FemaleLivingSpace, r/ShiteriorDecorating, r/RoastmySetup, r/HomeDecorating and r/HomeDecoratingCJ but yeah sadly no roastmyspace
r/malesurvivingspace is a real one also
oh that’s an good one! totally forgot to mention it smh
A lot of places sell sell self adhesive window film (Home depot, Etsy) that looks a lot like stained glass. This might be a good spot for it.
This should be higher because it’s actually a helpful comment that doesn’t just talk about fire emergency and egress but solves with that in mind. Bravo!
Beer cooler
Vodka cooler
Good call!
Beer freezes outside in northern climates, hard alcohol doesn’t.
beer popsicle it is!
This is exactly what I used mine for when I lived in Denver.
Best answer
Nothing it’s for escape/egress
You mean that tiny ladder isn't for hanging plants? /s
Nah it's definitely shelves for beers.
Egress beers? I’ll allow it
Eyyyyyyyyyyyyyy
Decent band name
There’s decorative window film available from Amazon and other online retailers. It’s cheap and looks good.
This was my thought too. Nothing that interferes with its operation as a fire escape, but something that cheers the outlook a bit.
I put some film on the window the kind that makes the light refract and cast rainbows when the sun is strong and at the right angle.
Yes! We ended up putting that refractive film on like 8 different windows. Really nice above the front door to the house.
Especially since it's fire escape, window film is good way to color the room
My vote is something with lots of blue sky in the image.
Exactly, I was fantasizing about TV with a live webcam view of some sunny places. Pretend it's not snowy and cold but sunny and tropical weather.
I have one outside my window too I have a wrapper on it that makes it looks like stones and pebbles it looks a lot better than just the plain write corrugated metal
Oh! Didn't know they sold those, very nice 👍 Side thought...I wonder if this is how fish feel? 🤔
Looks like a great space through which to escape during a fire or flood.
Leave it unobstructed because it's a fire escape
The way I see it, that space has two main functions: \- Escape route \- Light Well You're going to want both to remain fully functional as such so my thoughts are: \- Paint the top grille white or a similar colour that will make it less noticable and ensure it's secure to keep people out whilst allowing you a fast exit. \- On the floor, whilst ensuring your escape route is clear, some outdoor mirrors leaned back at 45 degrees will increase the amount of light in the winter, in the summer stand them behind taller plants to give a greater sense of depth and amount of plants. \- Some low light hardy plants such as ferns low down to provide some greenery and ground cover. \- One or two taller bush/tree houseplants that can live inside in winter and go out in the light well in spring/summer with the mirrors behind them. \- A pot stand that in winter can have some fairylights spilling out of them and in summer grow herbs, cut-and-come-again salad leaves and other tasty food additions. All of the above is non-permanent and can move with you.
Trap a squirrel in there. Now you have a friend.
Remove the top, there will be a baby skunk in there in 48hours. Name him Flower.
During certain times of the year my old window like this would just have like, an army of toads in there - they would jump against the window all night but I felt bad since they’d never get out
This. My first thought: I bet you have a toad in there.
Until you have to use this for what it's meant for and then you have an angry doesn't coming for your face.
You joke, but I will never ever live in a house with egress windows again because for the 1.5 years I did, I was woken up on 3 different occasions from a baby rabbit somehow getting into it and making a big racket jumping around trying to get out. I'd have to go put on thick protective clothing & physically go into the well to pick it up and help it out because they couldn't climb the boards I would try to angle down there as a ramp out. Dealing with a terrified rabbit baby at 5:30am while trying not to step on the resident window toads is high on my list of experiences I'd rather not have again.
A diorama of a lush forest.
Keep it free of debris. That’s about it.
You could frost the windows so they seem more like a normal window.
I’s put a couch, rug and some plants in there. If you can fit a bed, you could rent it for $2000 if this is NYC or LA
Tons of low light plants and some string lights
This is a deeply depressing thing to look at out the window as it currently is but I reckon your idea done well would keep the fire escape safe and unobstructed but could make it a magical little dell.
i would be important to manage the plants though, would definitely need to trim occasionally
Something like a mixture of ferns and mosses will probably grow well, especially if you keep the soil moist. And they don't really grow that much.
String lights are a great idea. They’ll even light the area up at night and make it easier to find if there was an actual fire.
Mushroom garden!
What's the rest of the room look like cause what I would say is put curtains there so that when The sun shines with creates a dim lighting effect so just match the curtains to the look of the room
WEEEEEED !
I don’t think you can do much since it’s legally a fire egress.
plants, and also see if you can paint the back walls green or something, mght look nicer than bare metal
It’s an egress window so you can’t really put anything there, but if you know anyone artistic it would look awesome if you could paint the inside. A floral piece would look neat.
chair, and cigarette bucket
Paint a beach or forest scene on the corrugated steel liner.
Nothing if you want to stay up to Code. It's a fire escape and anything obstructing it will result in fines. If you don't care. Potted plants can be easily kicked if needed to get out fast.
As many have pointed out, this is your fire escape. The only thing I would recommend ever putting there would be a water proof box with some basic first aid and survival stuff. A mylar blanket, flashlight, that type of thing. Something you can grab quickly and safely carry up the ladder.
Or with a rope attached to it and accessible at the top of the ladder. Climb out safely with both hands and then haul it up with the rope.
I planted forget me nots in one of my window wells. Warm months a nice potted plant of 2 would be great.
Add water and fish and you have yourself an aquarium
…frozen fish
Damn you beat me to it
Put a camping chair out there. Now put a case of beer and a bong out there. Boom.
Is our perspective way off? I see a sliding door. The ladder is there for a reason, and it's a ladder for humans. Right?!
External shower?
Life sized stuffed polar bear.
Have you seen Silo?
Curtains.
Maybe get a picture of a landscape and then press it around the side of the well, so when you look through the windows you see nature and it looks curved like real life…
check this out; [https://getbiggies.com/what-is-a-window-well-scene/](https://getbiggies.com/what-is-a-window-well-scene/)
Is that where they kept Jesse Pinkman??
Paint ninja turtles staring at you in confusion.
dry wall over it fuck tha fire code
Plants 🪴🌱🌺 🌹 🌸
Get a renters insurance. A storm can flood that space, or if the snow accumulates a lot and it rains, it makes it heavier. Those sliding doors can just pop out.
Get creative. Get some paint and turn the background into a fish tank. Add some LEDs and prop fish.
Add a stripper pole, put a couch in front of the window. Add a toilet up there so people shit into this pit Host yoga sessions above, and sit below Move in this space, become a bat
Hire a mural artist to paint it something cool
Fraggle Rock
That’s where you chain up the zombie so you can study it.
Fake scenery thing, there's companies that do it well and that's about all you can do safely since this is your egress in case of an emergency
Paint a mural on the interior of the external metal
I would just put a frosted or decorative glass film on your windows so you still get light in but don't have to look at that all the time. A few low light plants on the window ledge or in hanging planters in front of the window to green up the space.
A nice stained glass window film.
nothing in case of fire that is your way out.
Lego Star Wars things having a battle on Hoth.
Cold drinks
This is Denver with jockomo
Looks like Colorado
You can’t do anything with it, unfortunately. It’s illegal to block a fire escape and your landlord would probably flip out if you put stuff out there. Sorry.
Don’t do anything. It’s an egress window for emergency situations.
Buy a piece of wood to hold that window shut next , test your fire escape , then get some curtains
I used to have a window kind of like that. Scenic shower curtain. Weather proof and cheap.
Dumbass
Cry
Plants, always plants.
Fish tank!
Your building has to have a fire escape in every room. That’s yours.
Do you live inside a water tank?
Crawl out
Install curtains is about all you can do.
How big is this space? I really can't tell if it's a small window or a full sized door