Q. We want to add a mini-kitchen to our basement.  What are some do’s and don’ts?

A. Basements are an excellent place to put the chef in you to work. The privacy and personal space are some of the great qualities of a basement to build a perfect mini-kitchen. Since most basement floors are made of concrete, they provide good quality support for heavy equipment such as refrigerator or washing machine. If you have planned to build a mini kitchen in your basement, here are few do’s and don’ts for it to blend perfectly with the environment.

DO’S

Let there be light: DO have a lot of lighting. Lighting is essential for every kitchen, no matter the location. Most basements lack natural light, so make sure there is enough light to prepare food and brighten up the area.

Cabinet selection: DO choose a cabinet style that blends well with the rest of the basement. Dark wood is a good choice if there is a lot of light; otherwise, lighter stained woods or white cabinetry can be utilized to open up the basement. The rule of thumb here is to make the basement appear like any other room in your home. Dark colours absorb the light whereas lighter-coloured cabinetry reflects back the light into the room.

Cabinet schemes: DO install the lights in upper cabinets to show off the glass door and enhance brightness. Mirrors inside the cabinets are another option to reflect light to the other side of the room.

Cabinet options: DO install open shelving and make use of the vertical space. Open shelving will help keep you and your dishes well organized.

DON’TS

Buying Appliances: DON’T buy an appliance just because it is a good bargain. Buying matching dishwasher and stove will maintain the continuity throughout your mini-kitchen.

Mix it with the rest: DON’T section off your mini-kitchen from the rest of the area. Let it be part of the entire basement family.