Secret spaces beneath trapdoors, underground pools and subterranean yoga rooms feature in our latest Pinterest roundup, which focuses on homes with basements that defy the gloomy stereotype.

Victorian Remix, UK, by Guarnieri Architects

Guarnieri Architects added an underground extension to this Victorian terraced house, making room for a glazed box containing a swimming pool, hot tub and steam room. The addition provides swimmers with views out onto the garden through huge windows at the rear.

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Studio Apartment, France, by Anne Rolland

This underground space was once used as a slurry pit before being left abandoned for over 70 years. Anne Rolland transformed the space into a secret room, only accessible via a mechanical trapdoor and a set of wooden stairs.

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Caroline Place, UK, by Amin Taha Architects

This family home in London's Bayswater is full of secret rooms hidden behind folding and sliding doors. Amin Taha Architects created a dramatic open-plan living space in the basement by topping the walls with concrete soffit.

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Apartment Tibbaut, Spain, by Raúl Sánchez

Spanish architect Raúl Sánchez converted the entire basement of this residential house in Barcelona into a separate apartment. A curved pine partition divides the rooms within the 55-square-metre apartment to allow for privacy without wasting space.

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Venturini House, Argentina, by Adamo-Faiden 

Argentinean studio Adamo-Faiden repurposed the basement in this Buenos Aires townhouse to create a quiet yoga room. The underground space is lit from above by a strip of skylights for added ambience.

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Notting Hill House, UK, by Theis and Khan

During the overhaul of this west London house, Theis and Khan extended the basement to include a number of leisure rooms – including a swimming pool, cinema room and gym. Rather than creating light spaces, the studio chose dark colours and grey tiling to make the swimming pool feel like a mountain cave.

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Tinie Tempah's house, UK, by OPEN London

According to British rapper Tinie Tempah, this basement is where he spends most of his time. Originally designed for Alexander McQueen, Tempah asked for the room to be redesigned to his own personal taste, adding concrete walls and a pinball machine for a "New York-warehouse apartment feel."

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Oak Pass House, US, by Walker Workshop

This residence by Los Angeles-based Walker Workshop is nestled into the Southern Californian hillside. Walnut wood floors line the lower ground storeys, which accommodate a place to store wine, an auditorium, a gymnasium and lounge.

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House 13, UK, by Studio Octopi 

The designers of this south London house wanted its basement to rebuke dark and dingy stereotypes. The space conveys a sense of openness with high ceilings, large windows and a pre-cast concrete staircase – allowing daylight to filter down to the lower level.

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Covert House, UK, by DSDHA Architects 

Attempting to make their London home blend into the background and to preserve the surrounding area, architects Deborah Saunt and David Hills used underground rooms. The lower level is kept light and bright thanks to a wide rectangular lightwell.

Find out more about Covert House ›