I wanted to hear some pointers from you guys. I am in the planning stages of finishing my basement and my garage. garage is already insulated, and 1/3 of it was drywalled when it was new. I wanted to see what you guys recommend for both and any pointers I might look out for.

The basement is about 35x28. stairwell in the middle of it. thinking on doing 1 long room for the kid (more than likely 1-2 more). want a gun room, storage room, bathroom with shower (no tub). plumbing is already done. this is all on concrete slab, I believe it is floated (not sure how I tell this), there is a perimeter drain under the foundation that going to a sump pump. pump is in the corner. also have the furnace and water heater down there as well which. I wanted to get ideas on how to close this off but still be able to access it?

4 window wells as well. I already made the covers for them. 2 are large emergency escape, other 2 are smaller but still plenty big enough to be emergency escape.

do not want a bedroom as we already have 5. as much as I would like another room in the basement where it is nice and cool, I can just toss my cot up in the gun room and nap in the cool down there.

also want to hear the pro/con of drywall on the ceilings or drop tile.

I have a buddy who is an electrician so I can count on him for all my electrical. plumbing should be relatively easy so just plug and play I assume.

I was thinking about doing hardwood for pretty much the whole thing other than the bathroom which would be tile. But for those of you with kids who are a little older and play a lot on their own, do you recommend carpet in the play area or hardwood with a rug or something down. My son already likes to play with cars so i thought the hard wood would be better, but wanted to hear what you guys thought.