Whether you're refinishing a basement from scratch or remodeling an already finished basement, adding a basement kitchen can be a huge upgrade. Convenient access to a kitchen can enhance your basement's living space while also increasing the value of your home.
However, it's not as simple as just dropping a kitchen into an open basement space. The basement environment creates unique challenges compared to an upstairs kitchen remodel. Proper planning and design are crucial to avoid costly mistakes and ensure that the project is successful.
In this post, I'll go over three of the most popular types of basement kitchens — kitchenettes, wet bars, and full kitchens — and address some of the most important considerations for basement kitchen design.
Our firm specializes in custom remodels, so I can tell you firsthand that there are a million ways to build a kitchen in basement spaces. But in most basement remodels, the kitchen tends to fit into one of three main types.
Basement kitchenette: In a kitchenette, you have most of the functions of a main kitchen but on a smaller scale. We typically install a sink, small fridge, compact cooking surface, and microwave in the kitchenette, which also has enough cabinet and countertop space for the basics.
Wet bar: This type of basement kitchen has a sink and a mini-fridge (or wine fridge) but isn't designed for cooking. Instead, it's meant for preparing drinks and putting out some snacks if you're entertaining guests.
Full kitchen: You can build out a complete kitchen with a large refrigerator, a full slate of appliances (including a dishwasher), and even a kitchen island.
The type of basement kitchen that's best for your home depends in large part on how you plan to use your basement. In the next sections, I'll get into more detail about these three categories of basement kitchens.
A basement kitchenette can be a great option for small spaces, providing a functional area for food preparation and cooking.
A kitchenette is convenient and makes sense if you plan to spend extended time in your basement. It makes for a good complement to a basement playroom, family room, or home theater. It can save you and your family from having to constantly trudge up the stairs every time you want something to eat or drink. A kitchenette can also be a nice amenity for short-term house guests who can benefit from a small kitchen space but don't expect to do any intensive cooking.
A basement kitchenette can be adapted to suit diverse floor plans, so you can create a usable kitchen space even if you have relatively limited square footage. The interior design for a basement kitchenette can also be easily adapted to suit the vibe and style of the rest of your basement.
If you don't plan to do a lot of cooking but want a handy place to prepare drinks and snacks, a wet bar is a compelling and cost-effective solution. These are most popular among homeowners who want to use their basement primarily as a bar and lounge area.
A wet bar includes a sink, cabinets and drawers for storage of the basics (utensils, glassware, etc.), and a small refrigerator. It can also be customized with extra features, such as open shelves for cocktail accessories and your favorite spirits, a countertop ice maker, and modern lighting that matches the basement's decor.
As you would expect, a full kitchen takes up the most space and is the most expensive to install. For many homes, a full basement kitchen is overkill. But it can be a great addition if you have a bedroom and bathroom in your basement and expect someone to stay there for an extended period of time. That's why we most often see these kitchens in basements with a guest suite, in-law suite, or another type of separate apartment.
For some homeowners, a full basement kitchen unlocks a whole new area of their home for entertaining. With high-end finishes and appliances and plenty of countertop space, a full-size kitchen can serve as a focal point for hosting events in a spacious and luxurious finished basement.
No matter what type of kitchen you go with, you can find ways to make it your own. Because it's not your primary space for preparing meals, you can even experiment with unique basement kitchen ideas.
For example, if you decide to install a complete kitchen, you could consider adding a non-traditional appliance, like a countertop pizza oven. With a kitchenette or wet bar, you could put in a specialty coffee bar where you can be your own barista. Or if you have a wine cellar in your basement, you could build a small area adjacent to the kitchen with high-top seating that's specifically meant for wine and cheese tastings.
There's no shortage of possibilities, which allows you to tailor your space to your needs, interests, and sense of style.
Smart planning and professional design lead to the best results for your basement kitchen. There are a number of important issues to consider as you prepare to renovate your basement.
Plumbing and electrical: Depending on the state of your current basement, you may need custom plumbing and electrical work to set up your basement kitchen in the way that you want.
Appliances: First, you'll need to decide which appliances you want in your basement kitchen. Then, as with any kitchen remodel, you'll pick from a wide range of brands and models. Stainless steel appliances fit with many design styles, but you can choose a style that works for your basement kitchen.
Cabinets: Cabinets come in all types, ranging from mass-produced Ikea cabinets to high-end custom cabinetry. Whether it's worth a splurge depends on your budget, style preferences, and how often you'll use the space. With a more basic wet bar, you may not need a full set of upper cabinetry.
Storage: You'll want to include space to store things like plates, glasses, utensils, and any necessary cookware. Since you won't have a pantry, you may also want storage for food items. Beyond cabinets and drawers, some homeowners opt for floating shelves on the walls to get extra storage space.
Counters: I typically suggest installing as much counter space as you can, since it's often at a premium when hosting guests or preparing a meal. You can select from the same materials that are typically used for a main-level kitchen (quartz, granite, marble, etc.).
Tile and backsplash: For a more elaborate basement kitchen, you can choose stylish, high-performance tile for the backsplash. For the best results, pick a tile pattern that matches your cabinets, countertops, and flooring.
Kitchen sink: For a simple wet bar, you can pick a smaller and more basic sink. For larger kitchen designs, you may want a larger basin or double sink. Keep in mind that if you don't have a dishwasher, you'll need the sink space to wash dishes.
Ceiling: In many basements, you're working with limited ceiling clearance, which may restrict some of your options. Your designer will need to account for these measurements and the kind of finish you want for the ceiling (exposed, flat ceiling, drop ceiling).
Lighting: Unless you have a walk-in or daylight basement, you may have to deal with limited natural light. Nevertheless, it often helps for your kitchen to be a bright space so you can see what you're doing while you cook or make drinks. It makes sense to try to build around any natural light that you have, and you can supplement that light with recessed lighting, under-cabinet lighting, or pendant lights.
Flooring: Durable and moisture-resistant flooring is the way to go for a basement. Options like porcelain tile or luxury vinyl planks can work well for many basement kitchens.
Ventilation: Since you're below ground, proper ventilation can be challenging. In a basement, it's not as easy to just throw open the doors and windows to get fresh air. In a full kitchen, you will likely need a range hood or other duct work to help ventilate your basement.
Safety: A basement kitchenette or complete kitchen can create safety risks, so you should ensure that you have a well-placed smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector. It's also best practice to have a fire extinguisher nearby.
Moisture control: Moisture is a top-of-mind issue in any basement, but it can take on even greater importance if you are generating steam or smoke in a basement kitchen. Wherever possible, opt for non-porous materials in and around your kitchen. For materials that may have moisture concerns, like wood paneling, consider treatments that can resist moisture absorption and mold.
Local building codes and permits: Your basement remodeling project has to meet all local codes for things like egress and fire safety. Your remodeler should ensure that your project is fully compliant and has all the required permits before getting started.
Upgrading your basement with a kitchen, kitchenette, or wet bar can revitalize this often underutilized part of your home. With the right design and floor plan, you can create a new space for you, your family, and your guests to enjoy. But these remodels are not simple projects, and when they go awry, it can lead to all sorts of problems.
At Compelling Homes, we excel at making complex and custom remodels feel seamless for our clients in the Des Moines area. As a design-build firm, we handle every step of the project and work collaboratively both internally and with homeowners. With skilled designers, project managers, and craftsmen, we have the experience and expertise to complete all types of basement kitchen remodels.
If you're thinking about remodeling your basement, you can contact us today to schedule an appointment. In the meantime, you can see examples of our work in our portfolio, learn more about our process, and review our price guide for basement remodels.