Basement kitchens are becoming a popular trend in recent years. Homeowners are turning their basement into a living space or converting the basement into an all-purpose kitchen for lack of better options and using most of their home as their main living space.
Other basement inhabitants create a basement kitchen or beverage hub to complement their living space. Whether your goal is to have a full-fledged kitchen in the basement or to have a kitchenette, the extra value and design perk that it provides can make for an excellent addition.
The best way to design a basement kitchen is by creating one corner of the space as a family room and the other as a kitchenette. For example, you can create an entertainment area in one corner of your basement and then place the kitchen in another, so it’s closer if you need to make drinks for everyone.
With a guest bedroom and kitchenette, the basement can become an area for extra privacy without being disruptive to those upstairs. In addition, it could be turned into space for guests to kick back in without bumping into each other or adding another living room.
This is the best option if you want to provide a guest with an entirely separate bed in your basement. However, this type of renovation may also include adding a small kitchen or kitchenette so that your guest can prepare basic foods and beverages.
Whether you want a basement kitchen or a small one, there is a room size that will benefit your upgrade. Making sure to start with this key information will make certain that you create effects you’ll cherish for years and increase the prospects of selling your property.
In this article, we will examine the process of renovating your basement to include a kitchen or kitchenette and offer some ideas on how you can incorporate a functioning kitchen in an underground space.
Table of Contents
Why Put a Kitchen in The Basement?
A basement kitchen offers many benefits, one of which is being an ideal place to entertain friends. Friends can help out with the cooking, drinks preparation and partake in gathering around the dining table. Clean-up is also easier when using a basement kitchen due to its small size.
For homeowners who are renovating their homes, adding a basement kitchen also boosts the property value. This is an ideal choice for people who plan to convert their basement into a full apartment to rent out later.
How To Build a Basement Kitchen
If you are looking to build a kitchen set up in your basement, four steps can be helpful. These four steps may help you if you want to build one on your own.
Plans and preparations
When you start a kitchenette project, estimate the cost of the things you’ll be using. This includes the materials you need to buy and any accent pieces and furniture that are needed to create a complete space and tools used in setting up the room.
Measure The Room
Before choosing your kitchen appliances, you will need to assess the space that you have. This is what sets the standard for everything else: how to pick out items in your basement kitchen and where they should go. To do this, you’ll need to measure before and after installing cabinets, shelves, countertops, etc.
Structural Essentials
The first steps to your basement kitchen remodel are the most time-consuming. You will need to work on walls and ceilings, as well as haul out old items to install new ones.
Installation
After you finish the essential construction of the cabinetry, store your kitchenware in them. Next, install the countertop, then position the appliances as needed.
Consideration When Setting Up a Basement Kitchen
Air circulation
For areas where cooking will be taking place, clean air should prioritize making the area safe and comfortable for both the cookers and those in the kitchen.
If so desired, a contractor would know how to optimize clear airflow during the construction of these spaces.
Safety
Considering the kitchen is in the basement, safety should not be disregarded. Smoke alarms, escape routes, and sprinklers are among several precautions for basements that should be followed to ensure safety.
Noise Insulation
One advantage of a basement kitchen is that the noise factor is minimal. The other rooms in your home are supported by a solid foundation made up of the basement floors. Your basement has to bear all of the weight from furnishings in your home, so it does not require a high amount of soundproofing for your kitchen wall .
To soundproof your basement kitchen, it is recommended that you install insulation on the walls and ceiling. Besides providing soundproofing, this will also serve as a source of comfort for people upstairs who will feel warm from the heat generated in the basement.
Size Considerations
A kitchen can be a bit smaller than the typical kitchen, but there are still size differences. Although some kitchens have all the requisite items - like electrical appliances, a tiny counter, and a cabinet that fits well - other kitchens are small.
Such a kitchen may be built into a corner of the basement; others take up most of the space. More room is made for working, and more appliances are added because there is more space to build.
If you are considering adding a basement, be aware that they traditionally take up more space. Before choosing the size of your planned kitchen, consider how big your family is and how much room you have in your basement.
Electrical appliances
Even a small kitchen still needs amenities such as appliances. Larger household items, like refrigerators and microwaves, are unnecessary, but some items should be kept in the space.
The appliances that are most often used can be purchased for smaller areas to save space. Appliances should be kept in cabinets for cleanliness, and unneeded ones should be disposed of.
Wet bar or dry bar
A bar that doesn’t serve alcohol is dry, and one with running water is called a wet bar. Whether you want to drink only drinks or have the option of drinking alcoholic beverages also affects your choice between these two setups.
Storage Considerations
Among the items, you will need to consider when planning your home basement kitchen is storage space. Your options will vary based on what works best for you and the size of your cooking area.
Whether you are setting up a complete basement kitchen or just a kitchenette, and irrespective of whether or not you want some kits, you will need to devise space for storing your kits.
The kitchenette requires its own storage space. Even so, you have the option of incorporating open shelves as needed. If you’re adding a full basement kitchen, consider organizing it with pantries and cabinets for additional storage or cabinetry.
When you want to set up a kitchenette, you don’t require many storage spaces or options. A couple of wall cabinets and additional cabinets underneath the countertops are normally enough.
Your storage size depends on how often you use it and if you plan to entertain guests. A larger space might be necessary for this purpose.
Lighting Considerations
The basement often has a dark and stuffy-looking space. Still, you can get some great ideas on brightening the space from images of different types of basement kitchens or design ideas for kitchenettes.
Follow these guidelines to make your kitchen appear larger. For overhead lighting, try recessed lights; cabinet space, below cabinet lights, and strip lighting will help.
As a central hub for lightening your small basement bar area, an upright lamp will serve as a great lighting solution even if you don’t have space for regular lamps.
Installing recessed lights in basement spaces with little natural light, or none at all is a good way to amplify available light for the whole room. Under-counter lighting options like puck lights work well for kitchens that have prep areas built into countertops.
When planning a basement lighting project, decide between an aesthetic or practical approach. For the looks of your lighting system, research what type of effects and light quality you want to achieve.
Strip lighting can work for decorative or practical purposes. For example, overhead lighting is a better option for providing sufficient illumination where it needs to be visible.
Basement Kitchen Design Ideas Inspiration
Small Basement Kitchen Design Ideas
With the right color palette, a cramped basement can make it seem like there is a lot more space. For example, this small, cramped basement has everything from a full-sized stove to an industrial sink and everything in between.
In the middle of this small basement kitchen is a dining table set. Everything looks cohesive and loaded, thanks to the white, black, and charcoal gray color scheme.
Basement Kitchen Bar
You can either bring your kitchen bar into the basement or install one if the space in there is available. Either way, you should emphasize its bar-style features to create a more traditional pub feel.
Use a long countertop, stools, pendant lights, and hanging glass cabinets for storage with wood trims. You can easily accommodate the mini ovens and small fridges in the floor cabinets.
Finished Basement Kitchen Design Ideas
The versatility of a finished basement kitchen can be utilized in many different ways. Mix and match to create the perfect setup for you and your family.
One thing to consider is your countertops. While traditional wood may be the cheapest, upgrading to granite or marble will heighten the elegance while also cost more. You can add a mosaic glass accent to hanging cabinets as well for a classy touch.
You can create ambient light by using Venetian blinds. Mix ceramic tiles and woodblocks for the walls to give it a more modern appeal; paint some of the walls bright colors while leaving the gloomy half unlit.
Hardwood Flooring Basement Kitchen
Hardwood is a common flooring material for basements, but it’s not always the best choice due to moisture. To solve this problem, contemporary designers use polyurethane hardwoods with strong sealants to ensure durability despite the dampness in basement spaces.
Ancient, eco-friendly, and durable hardwood flooring for your basement kitchen makes it a classic look anytime.
Finished basement kitchen ideas with an island
For an unfinished basement, you might want to consider an all-in-one kitchen island. Chairs should surround it for dining. The sink is on one end, and there is enough room on the countertop to place everything after cooking or while pouring drinks.
This basement has a more rugged, finished look with an all-in-one kitchen island.
Modern Basement Kitchen Ideas
If you have the floor space to spare, this is a way to make your large basement into a complete kitchen with modern decor. This design features an island countertop with a sink in the middle for easy maneuvering of larger pots and pans, a four-seater dining table, and two doors on the fridge for maximum organization.
The bottom cabinets on the floor include a built-in oven, while the hanging cabinets are bathed in accent lighting. The cherry on top of this fully stocked kitchen is its glass doors, illuminating with modern pendant dressings and can lights.
Upscale Furnishing
To get an industrial look, you can use light colors like white and mint green in furnishings. This idea maximizes space creatively because it is demonstrated well in large basement rooms.
The island countertop is multifunctional, with a sink and cabinets underneath for storage. It also has two ovens with exhaust and a side deck along the back corner of the kitchen that can be used as an office space or breakfast nook.
Tan And Beige Basement Kitchen
This color combination features earthy tones. Given its reliance on sealed and polished wood, tan cabinetry offers a refreshing take on rustic.
The two-tone of beige paint in contrast with illumination from accent lights and track lighting, along with light laminate flooring, creates a cohesive look to this rustic basement kitchen.
Gray and white basement kitchen
One rustic color combination for a basement kitchen is the use of gray and white colors.
The cool gray color on the storage and sink material provides the perfect base for a white kitchen with pretty white walls, countertops, and flooring. This idea is perfect for people looking to get a nostalgic southern colonial style at their house!
White and steel gray kitchen
Avoid the need for dimmer lights in low-ceilinged spaces by using crisper illumination instead. You can use either recessed can lights or track lighting to spend your dollars wisely and conserve energy.
Basement kitchen ideas for low ceiling
Combine a low-ceiling basement with wood accents to create a cozy nook. Using ambient pendant lights can make space appear taller, and keeping everything in vertical symmetry helps maintain clean lines that encourage such an appealing aesthetic like this one.
Tiny L-shaped Basement Kitchen Design
This kitchen was designed with a continuous marble counter with a sink in the middle to be close-by for all cooking and cleaning needs. The storage of this kitchen follows the L-shaped line, eliminating any spaces or gaps. This mini-fridge is incorporated into the wall between two cabinets, as well as the stovetop oven.
The hanging cabinets are L-shaped, with glass accents. The half-wall block is a fine touch.
Kitchen and Dining Area Combo
This basement mother-in-law suite with kitchen and dining area offers hardwood flooring and gray walls.
Contemporary Basement Kitchen
A close-up look at this typically sized, basic basement billiards room is a kitchen and breakfast bar.
Calm Basement Kitchen
mymatrixbasement.com
If you have extra space, like a basement, with inherent advantages for an in-home kitchen (e.g., more space), talk to a professional about what you need to do to create a peaceful and cozy atmosphere for cooking food.
Again, our second example features a low ceiling with in-built lighting. This time, the basement kitchen is dressed in white - perfect for a stylish look. To reinforce this theme, we complemented the chic cabinet style with materials that match the room’s interior design and shape.
The cabinet contains some open shelves for displaying collectibles. White and grey work together to create a calm tone.
Homey Basement Kitchen
houseup.co.uk
A more down-to-earth basement kitchen in the type of underground home which faces a door like this. Once opened, this example becomes peaceful and comfortable for spending time with your family members.
The basement kitchen has two sections, one for cooking and warming up your food, while the other section is reserved for soaking and washing vegetables and fruit.
This is a kitchen with storage space. In front of them, there is an island made out of wood. As you finish cooking food or drinks for your children eagerly sitting on the chairs,
Cheerful Basement Kitchen
freshome.com
The basement kitchen is the perfect space for creating your own little personal sanctuary. This example chooses a soft shade of yellow to create an atmosphere that’s cheerful and bright with just one simple idea!
Now you have the ability to feel happiness every day in your kitchen, no matter what type of cooking you enjoy. With a fresh new look and high-tech appliances, we are sure that our theme color will bring light into this space-and you!
A kitchen is a wonderful place containing the sink unit and our beloved island, which has everything we need to cook.
Beautiful Basement Kitchen With Large Mirror
Mirrors are a great way to make small spaces look and feel larger. Here, the mirrored cabinet appears twice as long by reflecting light and creating a feeling of openness. Place mirrors on an adjacent wall for instant spaciousness in your basement!
White Basement Kitchen With Glass Dining Table
When you have too much furniture in an enclosed space, it can make a room seem smaller than what is really there. To keep the airy ambiance of your space, don’t overdo the furniture by just putting in what you need and no more! This basement kitchen does this well, with plenty of breathing room for all to use.
Minimalist Basement Kitchen
Today, it is common to see barstools at the counters of many kitchens. This has become a good option for those who don’t have space on their countertops or basements but still want additional seating options.
Futuristik Basement Kitchen Design
Bright colors are fundamental in a basement kitchen. Adding color, even in the small ways of adding plates to your table, will brighten up any space. This basement uses red as an accent that spices things up - but the sky is literally the limit when it comes to choosing what color you want!
Make Island More Colorful
Lack of light is the predominant challenge in transforming any basement. Considering adding more light to your kitchen island? If you have a kitchen at ground level, don’t stop there. This wonderful island in the center of this picture brings plenty of colors and ample lighting.
Conclusion
One way to make the basement more practical is to add a kitchen or kitchenette. A basement with a stove provides multiple advantages for homeowners, such as hosting small events that previously could not be done in other areas, an area of refuge from loud music for cooking serenely, and just a cozy room where you can drink coffee and relax during your free
Despite the cost and the considerations that should be made before starting one, adding a basement kitchen or small kitchenette to your house is a good investment.