An experts guide towards installing the perfect basement kitchen

• Wren Kitchens have shared advice on how to convert your basement into the heart of the home
• From planning permission to colour schemes, everything you need is in this design guide

Basements are versatile and offer homeowners the opportunity to be creative and design to inspire. They say that the kitchen is the heart of the home, so what better way to transform your kitchen than to dedicate an entire floor.

Although converting your basement can be an expensive project, ranging from £750-£1400[1] per square metre, it is a cost-effective investment.

Wren Kitchens have shared their advice for those wanting to convert their dark, unused space into the kitchen of dreams

Measure for headroom – basements are known to have lower ceilings, so you must allow for 2.4m of headroom which complies with regulations. If your floors need to be lowered and underpinned, this can make your costs increase substantially to around £1500-£2000 per square metre.

Planning permission – It’s worth checking with the local authority as to whether you can go ahead with your renovation. Small changes such as making your room waterproof may be okay, but you don’t want to invest your time and money into something which isn’t allowed.

You’ll need to consider regulations including ventilation, damp proofing, safe supply of water and electricals. If you’re planning on changing your basement which would change the look of the house, then you will need to seek planning permission for this.

Adding light to your underground kitchen – Natural light is hard to come by when your kitchen is underground. Adding lightwells is a great way to let natural rays into the room from street level, but if this isn’t possible, it’s smart to plan for extra lighting in key parts of your basement kitchen.

Pendant lighting, and accent strip lighting for underneath the cabinets are smooth and stylish ways to bring cool light into the space. Using colour-changing LED lights can also enhance the levels of light as well as bringing the party to your basement when entertaining.

Colour schemes – colour schemes are a great way to add light to your basement. Making sure that your darker spaces are well-lit for aesthetic and safety purposes is a top priority. Using cabinets and counters with high-shine finishes are a great way to maximise light.

Pale colours such as whites or creams will not only keep your kitchen looking fresh but can make the room look that bit bigger. A mirror is always a great piece to use in darker rooms, as they reflect light which will keep your kitchen shining.

Darren Watts, Wren Kitchen says: “Whilst home renovations are fun projects, you need to make sure they’re properly planned and that no stone goes unturned. Once your main plans have been approved, you can then look forward to styling your kitchen to your needs.

Emphasising light in any basement room is essential, but more-so in a basement kitchen when handling sharp and hot objects. Using LEDs under your cabinets and spotlights on your ceiling will instantly add all the light you’d need and more.

Finish your room with silver and copper décor which will reflect the light you already have back into the room, and you’ll have the perfect kitchen, ready for any occasion.”

For more inspiration, read Wren Kitchens design guides