29 Basem*nt Kitchenette Ideas to Help You Entertain in Style (2024)

Sebring Design Build

Basem*nt kitchenettes are starting to gain popularity as more and more basem*nts are turned into warm living areas. We are seeing many homeowners including a kitchenette or some type of beverage center in their basem*nt renovation plans.

In almost all cases, a basem*nt kitchenette is a small part of a larger basem*nt living area. For example, you might have a family room in the basem*nt with a kitchenette built at one end. Maybe you have a theater area with a kitchenette nearby where the family can enjoy some refreshments; or even a guest bedroom with a kitchenette–giving the occupant some additional privacy and saving them the trouble of using the main kitchen. It could also be part of an entertainment area, or a basem*nt bar or anything else you have in mind.

Before we delve deeper into this new trend, what is a kitchenette? It isa simplesmall kitchen used for basic food and beverage preparation activities.

Planning For a Basem*nt Kitchenette

The most important part of setting up a basem*nt kitchenette is the planning stage. Any successful home improvement project begins with thorough planning. It is important that you coordinate with a contractor early on. This blog will help you make the right decisions and save money right from the get go.

First, what is the state of the basem*nt? Finished or unfinished? If you already have a finished basem*nt, your work is much easier. It’s all a matter of designating a space for the kitchenette and setting it up. On the other hand, if your basem*nt is still a catch-all for your old junk; there is plenty of work that needs to be done before you can even think of setting up the kitchenette.

Here are other important issues you need to think about when setting up a kitchenette in basem*nt:

• Ventilation – You cannot have cooking fumes and odors getting trapped in the basem*nt. Proper ventilation is essential both for safety and comfort. Discuss with your contractor to determine which type of ventilation is best for your kitchenette.
• Safety – With a kitchenette in the basem*nt, you cannot afford to take safety for granted. Find out what the local code is regarding basem*nt renovations and take adequate safety precautions including sprinklers, smoke alarms and escape routes.

• Size – A kitchenette is by definition smaller than a standard kitchen. But there still are size variations among different kitchenettes. On the compact end, there are really small ones with the most basic of necessities: a small counter, a small wall cabinet and perhaps an appliance or two. It is small enough to fit into one corner of the basem*nt. You can also go a bit bigger, taking up one end of the basem*nt. Here you have a few more appliances and a larger working space as well as storage; but still not at the level of a normal kitchen. The right size will depend on your budget, family size and basem*nt size.

• Storage – In a kitchenette, storage demands are not many. You can make do with a few wall cabinets combined with floor cabinets below the countertop. The amount of storage will depend on the size of kitchenette and how heavily it is used. If you use it to entertain friends regularly, more is better.

• Appliances – Even a kitchenette needs appliances for proper functionality. The biggest challenge with kitchenette appliances is space. Most likely you will not have room for a full fridge, microwave, and oven in that small space. So decide which appliances you need most. Once you decide, buy them in smaller sizes. You can even get appliances like the fridge and microwave recessed into a cabinet to save space and create a cleaner look. We found some helpful information at Remodelista regarding smaller scale appliances.

• Dry Bar Vs. Wet Bar – A wet bar is defined as one with running water and a sink, however it does not always have to serve alcoholic drinks. A dry bar is simply a beverage center and has no running water. So who’s the winner between wet bar vs. dry bar? It all depends on your preferences and budget. A wet bar will likely prove to be more convenient, but will be more expensive to build because of the plumbing required for the running water.

• Lighting – Finally, plan your lighting with both aesthetic and functional goals in mind. On the aesthetics part, decide what look you want–warm, elegant, cool etc. and use lighting to achieve it. You can also use puck and strip lights for decorative effect on various areas of your kitchenette. On the practical side, make sure the overhead lighting will provide adequate illumination. Add under-cabinet lights to further illuminate the working area.

Take some time to look through our basem*nt kitchenette round-up. We’ve also included some photos of wet bars and other beverage/food preparation areas to help with the conceptionof your new space!

I’ve never seen a wet bar like this before. The blue tiles on the kitchen wall are a visual treat in and of themselves. Exceptionally, the wall behind this subterranean kitchenette appears to be part of the colorful backsplash. This is indeed a masterpiece by Sebring Design Build.

Basem*nt Kitchenette Design Tips

1. Easy Maintenance

One of the things homeowners ignore when designinga basem*nt kitchenette is maintenance. Simply because you have added space to your home does not mean that you have to saddle yourself with even more endless cleaning. Keep things simple and use materials that are easy to clean. For the flooring, materials like vinyl and tile are great. Wood is not so advisable considering that a basem*nt is likely to be more humid than the rest of the house, which makes it a bit harder to maintain. For the countertop, chooselaminate, quartz, recycled glass and other low-maintenance materials.

2. Go Neutral

When it comes time to paint the walls, neutral colors are better. Colors like beige, gray and white create a light and airy atmosphere that can be helpful in space where space is limited. After you have chosen the main color, use the cabinets, countertop or backsplash to create a contrasting accent. For example, off-white walls with gray cabinets and a warm tonedcountertop. Hopefully this kitchenette image roundup will provide inspiration on what colors will work best for your project.

3. Movable Furniture

Another great idea for a basem*nt kitchenette is to use movable furniture. This allows the space to be quickly reconfigured and can even be made smaller when you need extra room for some other activity. This comes in handy for smaller multi-purpose basem*nts.

4. Include a Larger Dining Area

While the bar provides a good place for sitting and dining, it does not always work so well for large families. If you have the space for it, consider adding a larger dining area to the side. This provides more comfortable sitting for formal dinners and can be handy when you have friends over.

5. Keep to the Basics

It is tempting to try and include everything in a kitchenette, attempting to turn it into a full mini-kitchen. But instead of a full functional kitchen, you will be left with a stuffy and cluttered space that no one enjoys. Instead, keep everything to a bare minimum.

As for the appliances–no more than three or four large ones. The most important ones are a mini-fridge (or a full one if you have the space), a microwave and a coffeemaker. If you have the space, you may be able to add a few additional small appliances.

Do not be tempted to go overboard with the cutlery. It will make it easier to maintain the kitchenette. The same goes for food items. Keep only a few snacks, beverages and things like coffee and tea.

Keeping things simple ultimately leads to a better and more practical space. While the main kitchen is associated with lots of stuff and lots of work, the kitchenette becomes a convenient quiet sanctuary to enjoy a cup of coffee or treasuredfamily time.

6. Blend in with the Rest of the Basem*nt

While the kitchenette should have its own recognizable signature style, make sure it blends with the overall basem*nt style. The transition from the rest of the space should be smooth. Try to have one overall theme (vintage, modern, country, mid-century etc.) covering the entire basem*nt.

Many home improvement projects today are about creating personal areasaway from the everyday bustle of the house. There are renovation ideas such as man caves, kid-caves, wine cellars, personal galleries and so on. The basem*nt kitchenette joins this list as a space designed not so much for its practical uses, but for its benefits as a personal or family retreat to relax and recharge.

This is an image roundup post, curated to showcase and promote other reputable contracting companies’ and their amazing work. To have any of the images removed, please reach out to us and we would be happy to do so.

Other Great Articles to Read:

• Basem*nt Subfloor Options DRIcore Versus Plywood
• How To Hide Or Remove A Basem*nt Support Post With Ideas