If I was starting from scratch, I'd look at the USA collector's homes - they seem to always go to the basement. I like the idea of a seperate "man cave", and the fact that your pins are safely underneath the house rather than outside in a shed etc.

That is where my head is at
when I think of how much $$ worth of games I have, I want to keep them as safe as possible

It is also easier to have a quick game or two if the games are in the house, rather than have to go out and unlock the shed

Speaking from experience, keep away from stairs.  I've got WAY to many of them and its a pain in the ar ^.^e

I will agree, but how many time will each game have to travel up/down the stairs?
I consider all my games to be keepers, I don't plan on changing thr lineup too much