Reply to Basement Remodel: Include Wet Bar / Kitchenette?

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Reply to "Basement Remodel: Include Wet Bar / Kitchenette?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]We're planning to finish our basement and have a large space to work with.

The contractor suggested a wet bar area that is about 10 feet across and would include a bar-sized sink, mini-fridge, microwave and a bunch of cabinets.

We have the space for it, but we're wondering whether we'll actually use it.

For context, our kids are young now (4 & 7), and we expect the basement to be mostly a kids' play/hangout space, not a space for DH and I to "entertain" our friends.  Our main level has a big open kitchen/family room area with a big TV, and the adults always seem to congregate there happily when we have multiple families over.

The idea is to have a finished basement where the kids can hang out, including larger playdates of 6+ kids, sleepovers etc.  We'll also have a big, comfy couch and a TV down there.  [b]But really, the kitchen is right upstairs if we need snacks.
[/b]
Are we being shortsighted to think it's an unnecessary expense to put in the wet bar?  Growing up, I loved hanging out in friends' finished basements, but none had fridges or microwaves down there where we could self-serve.  If we wanted a drink or a snack, we headed up to the kitchen.  Yet all the finished basements we now see on Houzz and Pintrest include these wet bar areas.  Does anyone actually use them?

BTW, this is not a walkout basement, so it's not like there will be traffic flow to the backyard in the summer.  [/quote]

DH and I just had this discussion.  We agreed to put in a counter shelf to hold snacks on--so you could bring down a few bowls of something and put them some place.  I'd also consider a small fridge but it's not critical.  We didn't see the purpose of a wet bar in our house.  It's not big enough that it's going to make a difference if you have to go upstairs for snacks and drinks.  And if I put in a sink, dishwasher, etc, that's just another place I have to check at the end of the night for dishes.  I can't imagine snacks lasting long enough to make it into a basement cabinet for the next time.

In a great big house I can see the benefit.  But not in my house.[/quote]

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