Sebring Design Build
Basement kitchenettes are starting to gain popularity as more and more basements are turned into warm living areas. We are seeing many homeowners including a kitchenette or some type of beverage center in their basement renovation plans.
In almost all cases, a basement kitchenette is a small part of a larger basement living area. For example, you might have a family room in the basement 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 basement bar or anything else you have in mind.
Before we delve deeper into this new trend, what is a kitchenette? It is a simple small kitchen used for basic food and beverage preparation activities.
MOVIE NIGHT
Want a special kitchen set up for your weekly movie marathons? Everything here is prepared and ready for the next film marathon! CDA Interior Design outdid itself with this subterranean kitchen. Clear evidence of daily use and meticulous cleanliness.
TUCKED AWAY
To have something that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical, you don’t need a lot of room. A fully functional kitchen can be created in a small basement like this one. Amazingly practical basement kitchen layout by HOM Solutions, Inc. It seems to be a highly practical tool.
GREAT SPACE
An additional area like this kitchenette is ideal for a basement. This basement has a tasteful and uncomplicated layout. Because of the abundance of white and the lighting, the entire room appears fresh and clean. Case Design/Remodeling Indy did a fantastic job with this basement.
SIT AND RELAX
Basement kitchens by StoryBook Rooms, LLC is fully equipped with everything you could need. You can easily picture yourself kicking back and relaxing in this underground space. Since there is a table and seats, the area can also serve as a dining room in addition to a kitchen. Everything has a typical kitchen appearance; however, it still looks interesting.
SOFT & SERENE
Those basement kitchenette cupboards are a beautiful blue-gray. There is plenty of storage space in the cabinets and drawers if you choose this layout—an amazing basement kitchen with a gentle and tranquil feel designed by Architectural Designs.
CABIN CHIC
Incredibly convenient, this wet bar is just what your rustic vacation needs—amazing work by Tipping Development, Inc., which appears elegant and pricey. You certainly wouldn’t guess this is a kitchen by looking at it. This space has that contemporary feel!
BASEMENT WONDER
This is a great use of your space in your basement. All the color selections and the richness of the cabinetry get high marks. This basement kitchen’s gray and black color palette is sleek and simple to the eyes—amazing work by Sebring Design Build.
BEACHY TIMES
You’ll get a slight beach vibe when you go into this space. The kitchen is given a one-of-a-kind feel thanks to the excellent lighting in the wet bar. It’s ideal for creating tropical beverages like margaritas that transport you to a tropical paradise. Francesca Owings Interior Design nailed it with this subterranean kitchen.
SMALL KITCHEN
While this basement area is technically a kitchen–this concept could be easily transported into a corner of a basement as a kitchenette. You can save space with the customized cabinet in this basement area, making it very efficient. What a great design by Kenorah Design + Build Ltd.
WARM & INVITING
The cherry cabinetry and stone backsplash in this tiny kitchen is positively enticing. This basement kitchen’s color scheme has a classic vibe. Weidmann Remodeling outdid themselves with this one. The atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming.
Planning For a Basement Kitchenette
The most important part of setting up a basement 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 basement? Finished or unfinished? If you already have a finished basement, 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 basement 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 basement:
- Ventilation – You cannot have cooking fumes and odors getting trapped in the basement. 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 basement, you cannot afford to take safety for granted. Find out what the local code is regarding basement renovations and take adequate safety precautions including sprinklers, smoke alarms and escape routes.
COMFY & COZY
This basement is so soothing that you won’t even be able to think about your issues. Old World Kitchens & Custom Cabinets outdid themselves with this basement kitchenette. The ambiance of the entire building is one of relaxation. A sofa is included so that diners can relax in comfort.
FRESH & FUN
Wow, what a cool and modern place to chill out. How unique are those lampposts? The use of warm colors and abundant light creates a soothing environment. The kitchen’s basement is cleverly designed for maximum efficiency. Classic Kitchens & Interiors outdid themselves with this one.
SLEEK
The basement kitchen area had dark wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances. You would never guess that this kitchen was located in a basement; it is so sleek and contemporary. Amazing work by Sebring Design Build. It’s all very smooth and modern.
OPEN BAR
The area feels more open thanks to transparent materials like glass for the tabletop, chairs, and even the counter. As a result, it offers a bar for special guests. The stainless steel wine rack and bottle holder contribute to the room’s pristine appearance. Congratulations, Sebring Design Build, on a job well done. In other words, this is the place to be.
STORAGE GALORE
That little cooking space down here in the basement is fantastic. This little kitchen in the basement has a ton of room for everything! The kitchen’s awkward position in the upper level’s stairwell doesn’t detract from what appears to be a rather practical layout overall. There’s a warm, inviting vibe here as well. TreHus Architects+Interior Designers+Builders outdid themselves with this one.
STAGGERED
Trying to install a kitchen in a basement but finding it difficult due to limited square footage? Acknowledge Fine Wood Cabinets for their great work on this. What a wonderful concept for an underground kitchen! The proportions are ideal for the kitchenette, and the design is up to date.
- 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 basement. You can also go a bit bigger, taking up one end of the basement. 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 basement 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.
GROOVY LOUNGE
You might almost forget that you’re in a kitchenette because of the mellow atmosphere it exudes. What a wonderfully unconventional basement layout by Joshua Lawrence Studios Inc. The kitchen is uncomplicated, and the living area is aesthetically pleasing.
CONTEMPORARY COOL
The blue tile is a nice touch, and the way it complements the rug is sure to win over guests. It creates an atmosphere unlike any other in the kitchen. Two seats in the middle of the basement and a flat-screen TV give the kitchenette a hip, modern feel—fantastic Christopher Developments basement with a kitchenette.
MINI BAR
This little bar and kitchenette in the basement look like the perfect place to have a party. Put your wine collection on display and host guests in elegance. Sebring Design Build came up with the brilliant concept of installing a mini bar in the basement kitchenette. If you enjoy wine and other beverages, you’ll probably like this style.
BARN DOOR BAR
Enjoy some downtime in the comfort of this classic recreation room. Everything here is roomy. This appears to be a whole residential building. The kitchen gets high marks for recreating a traditional cooking atmosphere, and the bar area is a safe bet for most diners. Wow, Sebring Design Build has done it again with another outstanding design.
BARN DOOR BAR
If you’re looking for a cozy spot to watch a movie with the family or have a terrific party, go no further than this white-cabinet basement kitchenette. The kitchen’s sliding door makes it feel like a hidden gem. Thanks to Sebring Design Build on a job well done again for this design.
FIRED UP
The basement kitchenette is a great social space. Anyone with a sense of adventure would like to hang out in this cool spot. And there’s a cozy bonfire in the middle to complete the effect. Aesthetically, the color palette is soothing—impressive work by Pizzale Design Inc.
- 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 basement kitchenette round-up. We’ve also included some photos of wet bars and other beverage/food preparation areas to help with the conception of your new space!
ATLANTA WET BAR
It’s not common to find cabinets painted a muted gray or taupe. Trademark Building Company did a great job designing this basement kitchen. The crossing wine rack, for example, is one of a kind. The kitchenette makes excellent use of the space available.
SLATE MOSAIC
This basement kitchenette, designed by Stacy McLennan Interiors, features a gorgeous slate tile wall. The mosaic artwork on the border of slate tiles gives the room a sophisticated air. The complete kitchenette exudes an engaging atmosphere and appears to be very practical.
COTTAGE CUTE
What a delightfully practical nook this cottage has provided. As small as it is, no one would ever use it as a kitchenette. The layout appears uncomplicated, and every available space has been effectively utilized. Blue Sky Building Company has created an attractive and functional basement kitchenette plan.
PORTLAND INDUSTRIAL
The basement kitchenette’s tiled backsplash and sleek pulls would make it a hit in any household. With its appliances and color scheme, this design feels very industrial. Mosaik Design & Remodeling has created a space that will make you feel at ease and revitalized.
VIBRANT BACKSPLASH
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.
DARK & HANDSOME
This wine fridge and espresso machine combo is a fantastic addition to the wet bar. The combination of dark colors in this kitchenette is striking. Amazing work by Pineapple House Interior Design. This is the kind of spot you wouldn’t want to leave behind. Everything is very polished and finished.
Basement Kitchenette Design Tips
1. Easy Maintenance
One of the things homeowners ignore when designing a basement 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 basement is likely to be more humid than the rest of the house, which makes it a bit harder to maintain. For the countertop, choose laminate, 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 toned countertop. 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 basement 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 basements.
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 treasured family time.
6. Blend in with the Rest of the Basement
While the kitchenette should have its own recognizable signature style, make sure it blends with the overall basement 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 basement.
Many home improvement projects today are about creating personal areas away 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 basement 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.
