As homeowners, we look for ways to maximize the space within our homes. Some individuals elect for guest bedrooms, finished attics, or renovating a basement. Therefore, the best way to get the most out of your basement will be to make it a secondary living space or in-law suite. When completing the updates in your basement, some individuals choose to add a bathroom and a kitchen. Furthermore, with limited space, some homeowners install a kitchenette. A kitchenette is a small cooking space or compact kitchen, typically consisting of a refrigerator, a microwave oven, and potentially a sink. In this article, we explain basement kitchenette ideas to raise resale value, along with an ideal secondary living space for entertaining guests.
Why Add a Kitchenette to Your Basement?
There are various reasons why homeowners add a kitchenette to their basements. The ability to maximize the square footage of your home, especially in inner cities that consist of row homes with limited living space. Below are some common reasons individuals transform a space in their basements into a kitchenette.
- Entertainment space: Many families prefer the additional living space. Some homeowners transform their basements into a family game room, home theater, or even a man cave. To ensure the comfort of the basement, people often choose to install a kitchenette and bathroom, rather than having to run up and down the stairs to use these facilities.
- Guest suite or in-law suite: If you’re expecting loved ones to move into your property for whatever reason, whether it’s financial purposes or due to older age. It’ll be most convenient to add a kitchenette to make life easy for the guest, allowing them to make simple meals.
- Potential rental purposes: If the property is zoned properly and the necessary permits are pulled for a basement kitchenette, the homeowner can rent out the unit. Renting out the basement of your house is an excellent way to bring in additional income to pay the monthly mortgage payment. Therefore, this method of renting out a section of your house is similar to the phrase “house hacking.” This helps homeowners make ends meet in a challenging economy.
- Increase the value of your home: Any major home improvements can add value to your home, especially adding square footage and a functional living area.
Considerations Before Exploring Basement Kitchenette
Be aware of what it takes to transform your basement; it’s vital to weigh out the cost and expectations when exploring basement kitchenette ideas. Pull the necessary permits, hire reputable contractors, and don’t exceed your overall budget. Some other things to think about before considering basement kitchenette ideas:
- Plumbing and Electrical setup: When adding a kitchen to any part of your home, you will need to install a waterline and a drain line. In addition, adding electrical consists of installing and wiring the outlets for the kitchenette. Hiring the skilled trademen to complete the plumbing and electrical work costs thousands of dollars. Additionally will consist of pulling permits with the township or city.
- Proper ventilation: To add a kitchen to any section of your home, you need to have correct ventilation for overall safety. Typically, most homeowners use a range hood to ventilate the smoke and heat to provide a controlled environment.
- Overall safety: Wherever there’s a kitchen, you’ll run the risk of a fire. Whether it’s a gas appliance or an electrical there’s a risk for the wall or kitchen item catching on fire. Or the electrical wiring causing an electrical fire.
- Understand your budget without exceeding what you can afford. Regardless of your home improvements, it’s important to stay within the budget to have the ability to finish the renovations.
Different Basement Kitchenette Ideas
If you’re considering renovating your basement to include a kitchenette. We have compiled a list of basement kitchenette ideas to increase your home value and make the home more appealing.
- Keep things simple and compact to maximize the space. Typically, a kitchenette consists of one wall, which would have the appliances and features all in one area. Therefore, the homeowner has room to turn the smaller basement into an efficiency apartment.
- Bar area: Adding a bar to your basement kitchenette is ideal for hosting guests or simply a great addition to any “man cave.” Some individuals get creative with their basement bar kitchenette, adding fancy lighting or vintage materials.
- Modern luxury. If it’s within the budget, consider adding luxury features such as marble countertops, sleek cabinets, and stainless steel appliances.
- Multi-purpose space. Since you’ll need to run the plumbing to your basement kitchenette, consider maximizing the usage of the kitchenette. The added feature would be a space in the kitchenette to be utilized as a laundry area. Most smaller apartments or efficiencies may have the kitchenette shared with the laundry room.
Best Appliances to Use for Basement Kitchenettes
Since your basement kitchenette is smaller than the traditional kitchen, it’s important to use smaller items to get the most out of the living space. Therefore, when thinking about basement kitchenette ideas, use features such as a mini fridge. Utilize a microwave or a hot plate compared to a fully functioning oven. Install a small dishwasher, or to keep things simple, use a single-bowl sink. Lastly, consider using fewer cabinets. Some individuals choose shelves since they’re better for storage compared to cabinets. Before designing the layout of your basement kitchenette, review the sizes of the desired appliances to ensure they can fit and be fully functioning within the kitchenette.
Basement Kitchenette Ideas: Cost and Added Value
Overall Cost to add a Kitchenette to your basement:
On average, adding a kitchenette to your basement can cost between $5,000 to over $25,000. However, this cost depends on many factors such as the size, features, appliances, finishes, and added safety precautions. Some homeowners may consider DIY “Do-it-Yourself” methods to update their current basement kitchenette. However, if you’re installing a kitchenette, you will need a licensed and insured tradesperson to pull necessary permits and complete the kitchenette correctly.
On average, how much value does a basement kitchenette add to a house?
The overall value of a kitchenette being placed in a basement can vary. Depending upon the basement’s size, market conditions, and total square footage/usage area. If done correctly by licensed contractors, a basement kitchenette can have about an 85% return on investment. Additionally, as mentioned, having a basement kitchenette and the extra unit can bring in additional income until the time comes to sell the property.
Is it Worth it to Consider a Basement Kitchenette?
If you’re a homeowner with the desire to entertain guests, add living space to your home, or simply increase property value, it’s certainly worth adding a kitchenette. Whether you’re looking to bring in extra money by renting out the basement unit or helping out your aging relatives. The basement kitchenette ideas are for you. Ensure you hire licensed and insured contractors to do the work, along with pulling permits to make sure you don’t get fined and delayed.
Review the designs and prices with the contractor to ensure you’re within the budget. If done correctly, a basement kitchenette can add value to your home. In addition, make it more appealing when the time comes to resell the house. If you’re a homeowner looking for advice on basement kitchenette ideas. Or searching for the value of your property after the renovations. Then, reach out to a real estate pro from our company by submitting your info or calling 267-420-2296.