Building Your Ultimate Basement Kitchen

Answering two direct, illuminating questions can make your search for awesome basement kitchen ideas fast, easy, and highly effective. You’ll get a basement kitchen you love, not something that seems thrown together, or designed for someone else.

 FUNCTION

As you gather ideas for an awesome basement kitchen, the first question to keep in mind is the function. What function will your basement kitchen serve?

 Will it be an awesome entertaining space? Or will it be to provide guests with a small private kitchen? Will it be to create a rental space with more value? To create a haven retreat for an individual member of the household?

 Once you think that question through and yes, create a written statement of function for your planned basement kitchen, you can evaluate ideas instantly. And there’s another important general question you’ll want to ask before coming up with specific.

 WHO WILL BE USING THIS BASEMENT KITCHEN?

The second question is: Who will be using this kitchen? Make a list of the main users. Then rank them in order of the most frequent users down to the least frequent. You now know who this basement kitchen is for and what they’ll be using it for.

 Now it’s time to consider ideas, which you can now properly evaluate. Compare every idea you come up with against those two questions, and you’ll be able to evaluate them instantly as awesome or as … not so good.

 Now for the fun part. Here are some suggestions to get you started on your exploration. 

WET BAR

No matter how much money you may save on setting up a dry bar — and that can work — check your budget and the costs of installing a wet bar. You know you’ll want a sink. The only question is: can or should you spend the money on it.

LIGHTING

Adequate adjustable lighting is a no-brainer for an awesome kitchen basement. Choose LED strip lights and LED bulbs that you can control with an app or a dedicated remote control. Recessed ceiling lights with smart bulbs make for a cleaner look.

 COUNTER SEATING

Counter seating is another easy call for a basement kitchen. Counter seating saves space — no dining table needed. And counter seating can be uber comfortable, or torture to sit in. So don’t skimp on these. Make sure they’re comfortable and can pivot so that your guests can turn toward (and away from) each other.  Rule out any seats that don’t have built-in, adjustable height footrests that pivot with the seat. 

BACKSPLASH FIT FOR A BAR

The backsplash should be classy, not too bold, and not trendy. Choose the right color to complement the cabinetry and walls. Rock or tile or wood can all work. Ensure it gives the right feeling for the function of your basement kitchen, and for the people who will be using it most.  

MIRRORS, ART, AND TVs

Finally, remember that what goes on the walls of a basement kitchen can be as important as the square footage. Mirrors and the right art can go a long way to opening up even a small space. With a tasteful, rectangular mirror behind the bar, your guests will feel cozy instead of feeling claustrophobic. Art on the walls should be well-lit, inviting, and with lighting dedicated to it. And taking a lesson from small, cozy bars, remember that a couple of wall-mounted TVs, muted and set to sports or to scenic screensavers, give anyone a feeling of connection, still, to the outside world.

Evaluating each of your choices strictly against the function of your basement kitchen will bring you to a finished project that pleases you and all the users of that space. Enjoy the journey!