A couple have converted their “damp” rundown basement from the 'upside down' place into a wine cellar and man cave.

Nick Dias, 44, and his partner Rainy, 45, live in a Victorian terrace in the Crouch End and Hornsey area, and their small basement used to be wasted space.

The couple said that their old basement was “pretty yucky” – Rainy used to refuse to go down, describing it as the 'upside down' place in the television series Stranger Things.

But following a £70,000 refurbishment the space has now been transformed into a wine cellar, pantry and 'man cave'. 

Ham & High: Before: Nick and Rainy's 'damp' basement Before: Nick and Rainy's 'damp' basement (Image: Bespoke Carpentry London)

The couple said: “We’ve always dreamt of having some kind of wine cellar and the space works perfectly for it and we’re thrilled with the result.”

The first step in their new basement journey involved shoring up existing wall foundations while digging down to gain extra headspace. This part of the build cost £48,000.

Nick and Rainy said: “Once the spaces were waterproofed and rendered, we then maximised the storage space with clever built in cupboards by Bespoke Carpentry London.

“In the first room, they designed and built space for a second freezer, drinks fridge and wine cooler alongside a pantry and coat cupboard for winter coats, boots and cycling stuff.

“In the second room, they created a ‘man cave’ workspace area and great adaptable storage to hide everything away.”

Ham & High: After: The couple's new wine cellar After: The couple's new wine cellar (Image: Bespoke Carpentry London)

The work carried out by Bespoke Carpentry London cost the couple £17,000, with an extra £5,000 spent on installing wine racks.

Nick and Rainy added: “It’s now a genuine pleasure to ‘pop down’ to the basement to grab a bottle of wine or an extra tin of baked beans.”