Chance to have a dining room -but downstairs

[Handsfacespace]

We have a 5 beds +offices Victorian which we have brought back together from flats. We bought the basement a couple of years ago and haven’t figured out what to do with it as it’s too dark to become the “new ground floor”. It’s a nice space though with original features (stonework).

Our kitchen is relatively small for the size of the house. Christmas dinner for 8/9 requires garden chairs and a sense of adventure....and I wondered about having a dining room downstairs.

Questions/ thoughts
Is a dining room a good choice for a naturally dark room?
How much prep surfaces/facilities would we need down there? I think a dishwasher and warming oven and fridge would be a must....carrying dirty dishes up the stairs would be a nightmare....

Also, it’s fun to imagine being able to entertain again!

I can see that for occasions but not everyday (due to hassle)

What about hobby / games room, Tv room or gym?

You could install one of those little lifts found in restaurants/ hotels.

Do you think you’ll entertain often? You could make the basement more of a multifunction area eg games/cinema room, library, guest bedroom that frees up a brighter room upstairs etc.

Despairing-Thanks for replying – it’s so hard to imagine ever entertaining again at the moment isn’t it? It would be a little bit of a leap of faith as the children are now older, my dad has died, and my mum is too frail to come. But my husband is a great cook and does love entertaining.

Jojo, omg, such a cool idea re lift :). Suspect a “mini-kitchen” in new dining room would be easier.....

There are two other rooms so it could be as well as cinema and gym.

I’m making my life sound a lot more fancy than it actually is....

A lift might not be ant more expensive than a second kitchen...

But Lots of candles, a fridge, a wine cellar, some form of heat, a hostess trolley or warming plate...

The obvious thing to do is move the kitchen to the basement and then have a large kitchen/diner that opens up to the garden. This is usually how it works with those big Georgian multi-storey houses. Obviously it will be much more expensive but in terms of useability and resale value that would be my dream option.

Yes to a mini kitchen. Friends had one and it made the best entertaining space

Hmm, thank you Giraffe and Joey.
I think it would be too dark for daytime use as the everyday kitchen....
And it’s a terrace so the “upstairs” kitchen could only open to garden with difficulty....
Hmmmm....

I appreciate the replies btw

Ooh leaf eater!

Did it make it more relaxed/straightforward to have an evening dinner without going in and out?

How “mini” was the kitchen -can you remember?

Mini kitchen and a dumb waiter lift thing would be so cool!!!

Presumably a mini kitchen needs hob, oven, microwave, sink, dishwasher, small fridge, crockery cutlery, knives etc

I would carry down the pans you want to use (ok have a few doubles), you don't need to store food in there?

Couple of friends have one. Both sets entertain a lot. One painted it dark green, one painted it dark red. Both rooms are fab, but best used at night.
Guess it depends how often you entertain.

Is it a whole separate basement flat? In which case would it be a good guest area/separate space for Teens/grown kids?

To give a bit of context, the upstairs kitchen is 5m squared and only has 4.5m countertop (including sink and oven). This is because we kept the Victorian larder cupboards and (non-functioning) Victorian stove. It has a beautiful view. You wouldn’t want to have breakfast downstairs -too dark....

Getting excited now!

“Presumably a mini kitchen needs hob, oven, microwave, sink, dishwasher, small fridge, crockery cutlery, knives etc

I would carry down the pans you want to use (ok have a few doubles), you don't need to store food in there?”

Yes-agreed.
The fancy knives and forks from dad’s retirement do could go down there, the normal plastic-handled stuff could stay upstairs....

I would use it as an after dinner entertainment area, like a bar with games/pool table. Mood lighting, music system. Could be really cool.

“ Both rooms are fab, but best used at night.”

Yes, you’ve nailed it.

“Guess it depends how often you entertain.”
Well we’re tier two..... but looking to the future.....

“Is it a whole separate basement flat? In which case would it be a good guest area/separate space for Teens/grown kids?”

Hi there Despairing. Yes, exactly. Kids are nearly 18 and 15 so who knows??

But yes was thinking that and that’s another reason to keep a functioning kitchen -keeps many options open.

“I would use it as an after dinner entertainment area, like a bar with games/pool table. Mood lighting, music system. Could be really cool.”

Do people think it could be a good way to retain value/saleability for the future? Perhaps not as much as separate flat but that had its own issues....

I would look to get it it's own access from the street. Install a small kitchen area and it can become a small flat for the 18yo once they leave school.

@Handsfacespace

“I would use it as an after dinner entertainment area, like a bar with games/pool table. Mood lighting, music system. Could be really cool.”

Do people think it could be a good way to retain value/saleability for the future? Perhaps not as much as separate flat but that had its own issues....

I thought you were asking what you could do with it for you, not whether it would affect the resale price. I guess if that's a concern maybe ask an estate agent what they'd think.

Long Tom, you’re right. I think I’m just a bit scared of “going for it” and keeping a kitchen would help me hedge my bets.

Off to bed but have appreciated this. Thank you mumsnetters.

i wouldn't have a dining room on a separate floor to the kitchen, but a TV room / games room / teen hang-out space would be good.