- By Dylan Smith
- In Uncategorized
How to Go About Building a Kitchen in Your Basement
Basement kitchens are back in fashion!
Interior designing trends for the coming year show that kitchens in the basement are all the rage now.
They’re the perfect blend of functionality, style, and convenience.
Your basement no longer needs to be a neglected, dingy area of your household. If you haven’t considered basement renovation up till now, you should do so before you’re left in the lurch.
There are a few things you need to consider before adding a kitchen to your basement.
Contents
Basement Finishing
Due to space constraints, you might not be able to add a full kitchen. Instead, you should opt for a stylish little kitchenette that tastefully blends in with the aesthetics of your basement. Once you’ve made up your mind about setting up that basement kitchenette, the next step is to get the basement ready.
In order to do that, you need to determine the state of your basement. If it is a finished basement, you can directly proceed with establishing the kitchenette. However, if it’s not, you need to consult a contractor and figure out a basement finishing plan.
Ventilation
Basements tend to get musty due to lack of ventilation. Make sure that your new kitchen has adequate ventilation before it becomes functional. Installing an electric chimney or electric hood fan will take care of this problem.
Insulation
As the kitchen will be host to a number of liquids and vapors, it’s of utmost importance to keep it leak free. You’ll also have to make sure mold doesn’t start growing due to irresponsible insulation. Choose an appropriate insulation material and stay away from drywalls.
Fire Hazards
Needless to say, fire safety is crucial. No matter how small your basement kitchen is, it’s a kitchen after all. Install a smoke detector and fire alarm before you start using the kitchen. Keep a fire extinguisher within arm’s reach and plan the kitchen in such a way that access to the basement exit is easy for everyone.
Plumbing
Drainage of the kitchen needs to be proper intact. Always remember to use the best materials to prevent the debacle of leaky pipes. Installing pipes in the basement kitchen won’t be much of a hassle though as the basement is naturally connected to all the drains of the house. Supervise the people who come to work on the renovation and make sure they drill properly without causing any damage to the existing plumbing system.
Wiring
Since wire mains are usually located in the basement, wiring won’t pose much of a problem. However, you need to remember to keep the kitchen on a separate circuit as any heavy-duty appliances might make the whole system trip.
Waterproofing
You wouldn’t want a flood to destroy your beautiful basement kitchen now, would you? Repair any cracks in the walls and add waterproof coating everywhere. Better yet, invest in a sound waterproofing contractor and insurance plan to keep your basement kitchen safe.
Summary
Installing a kitchen or kitchenette in the basement is a great way to utilize basement space. You need to take care of a few essentials before such as basement finishing, waterproofing, insulation, fire safety, and ventilation.
