Cellar and basement are used as two interchangeable words. But that is not correct. They are not each other’s synonyms. As they are commonly used as synonyms, people think they are the same thing.
But no, they are two different kinds of rooms that are used for different purposes.
Key Takeaways
- A cellar is a below-ground storage area used for food, wine, or coal, while a basement is a living space below the main level of a house.
- A cellar has lower ceilings and limited natural light, while a basement can be designed with higher ceilings and windows.
- A cellar is accessed outside the house, while a basement has an interior entrance.
Cellar vs Basement
The difference between a cellar and a basement is that a cellar is outside of a house, and a basement is situated instead of a house. A basement is larger than a cellar, but every house does not have a cellar, while basements are very common in houses.
A cellar is below the ground and situated outside the house. It has a horizontal door as an entrance, and one can access it with the help of a ladder or staircase.
The cellar is smaller than any other room, and it does not have any windows. It is ideal for storing food items and wine.
A basement can be seen inside a house. It is underground and can be used as any other room, and it can also be used as a storeroom.
Mostly unused things are kept here, it can also be used to keep washing machine. It can be partially or fully underground, so it has windows.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Cellar | Basement |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A cellar is a room that is situated below ground level. | A basement is the floor of a building that is situated below ground level. |
| Placement | It is outside of the house and can be accessed through a horizontal door. | It is placed inside the house and can be accessed through a vertical door. |
| Purpose | A cellar is only used for storage purposes, such as storing wine and coal. | A basement can be used as any other room, or it can be used as storage too. |
| Size | A cellar is comparatively smaller. | A basement is bigger than the cellar. |
| Window | Cellars do not have windows generally. | The basement can have windows. |
What is Cellar?
The cellar is a completely underground room that is positioned outside a house. It is separate from the main building of the house. It is normally accessed through a staircase or ladder. It is used as a storeroom.
Certain food items are best stored in a cellar, like wine. Wine cellars are a must to have for wine enthusiasts. Cellars are ideal for storing moisture-sensitive food items.
As they are underground, they can secure the foods from the intense temperature, and it does not come in contact with direct sunlight. A cellar can be renovated into a restaurant with the right planning.
The cellar is small in size, so controlling its temperature is very easy, and it can be dehumidified as well with the right techniques. In the United Kingdom, the word cellar suggests a dark, damp room that is placed underground.
A cellar can provide shelter under a very rough climate as it does not have any windows. It can protect food items as well as humans.
What is Basement?
A basement exists below a building. A basement is situated underneath a building. It has the same size as a normal room. It has windows and can be decorated as the main house. It can be used for storing or for living.
You don’t need to go out of the house to be able to use it. It has the potential to be a bedroom or a study room because of its size. One can also use this as an office or can even give it up for renting purposes or can create a recreational room.
Many people use the basement as the laundry room and keep the washing machine there. The basement can be partially underground and can be used as a storeroom to keep heavy things.
It is just like another room of the house but beneath the main building.
Main Differences Between Cellar and Basement
- A cellar is situated outside the house, while a basement is inside the house.
- A cellar is always completely underground, but a basement can be partially or fully underground.
- A cellar is smaller than a usual basement, whereas basements have the size of any other room.
- A cellar does not have windows, but a basement might have windows.
- A cellar is situated underground, and it is outside the house, so it retains a horizontal door. But a basement is just another floor that is below the house, so it has a vertical door.
- A cellar can not be used as a bedroom or study room, but a basement can be used as a bedroom or any other room.
- A cellar is used as a storage room. Mostly to store wine or coal there. The basement can also be used as a storeroom, but mostly unused goods are stored here.
- Basements can be decorated according to the wish with different ornamental things. But cellars are not room to decorate. It just has lights.
- People rent out a basement as it has a reasonable size, whereas cellars are too small to live in, so they can not be rented.
I’ve put so much effort writing this blog post to provide value to you. It’ll be very helpful for me, if you consider sharing it on social media or with your friends/family. SHARING IS ♥️