My new darkroom

It's been 20 years since I had a darkroom. I am finally getting back into the fun! We recently moved to an apartment/condo that has an unfinished basement that I am allowed to finish however I want. The first thing I have planned is a HUGE darkroom. I have a 12'x20' area that I can use. I just got the vinyl flooring installed. I am hoping to frame the wall myself in the next few weeks and then a friend who does drywalling will take care of that will I am on vacation at the end of the month. Lots to do but I can see it coming together and hope to be printing soon!! Here is a pic. You can see my lonely Beseler sitting there just begging to be used!

Congrats on the space.
How about the plumbing? That is usually the biggest hassle.
Lay it out carefully. Once you build, it will be EXPENSIVE to change.

wow - wonderful!

where's the coffee table gonna go? gotta have somewhere with all that space to sit around and discuss the prints you make!!!!

ac12 said:

Congrats on the space.
How about the plumbing? That is usually the biggest hassle.
Lay it out carefully. Once you build, it will be EXPENSIVE to change.

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My washer/dryer is just off to the left of the photo so a quick run for the water and the drain pipe is running along the bottom of the floor there so that's a piece of cake too. I'm REALLY want to get this up and running quick as I have a MAJOR itch to start printing. However, I am going to temper my enthusiasm and take it SLOW AND EASY and do it right.

jvo said:

wow - wonderful!

where's the coffee table gonna go? gotta have somewhere with all that space to sit around and discuss the prints you make!!!!

Click to expand...

MegoApesNut said:

My washer/dryer is just off to the left of the photo so a quick run for the water and the drain pipe is running along the bottom of the floor there so that's a piece of cake too. I'm REALLY want to get this up and running quick as I have a MAJOR itch to start printing. However, I am going to temper my enthusiasm and take it SLOW AND EASY and do it right.

Click to expand...

It looks great.
Other than plumbing and ventilation, it is a really good idea to install stuff that is easily moved. Unless you have worked in a lot of darkrooms, you won't settle on the best layout until you have tried a few different approaches.
You have a lot of space there. You might want to consider making the darkroom smaller than the maximum available, or splitting the darkroom area up into fairly distinct dry and wet sides.
Are you likely to be sharing this with anyone, or otherwise having more than one person working at the same time?

MattKing said:

It looks great.
Other than plumbing and ventilation, it is a really good idea to install stuff that is easily moved. Unless you have worked in a lot of darkrooms, you won't settle on the best layout until you have tried a few different approaches.
You have a lot of space there. You might want to consider making the darkroom smaller than the maximum available, or splitting the darkroom area up into fairly distinct dry and wet sides.
Are you likely to be sharing this with anyone, or otherwise having more than one person working at the same time?

Click to expand...

I really agree with Matt on this. I have had a darkroom in one form or another for 45 years, I'm always changing things around. My last house, (20 years ago ) I started with the big white plastic tables until I decided on ,building moveable modules for the enlarger. The sinks have stands, and can be moved if necessary. I wouldn't even frame the walls unless you need insulation. Get printing, go slow on spending a bunch of money on building permanent structures you will want to change later
One thing I learned is don't mix storage with working space. Maybe lay out a basic work area and get started.
Anyway it looks like a great start.
Best Regards Mike

I bought my house with darkroom details in mind. It had a basement large enough – though not quite as large as yours - for what I thought would meet my needs, but still there were things that I missed. I’d certainly recommend reading up on design considerations in AA’s and Kodak’s publications. There are many many things to consider, but at this point in your work you might think about:

1. TWO rooms – one for the darkroom and another for finishing the prints, i.e., mounting/framing/storage of materials for same. Allow for a bunch of electrical outlets around the room to handle the necessary circuit loads as well as a master breaker box outside the darkroom to kill all the circuits.
2. Placement of safelights, with white walls for good visibility when moving around.
3. All plumbing visible on the finished walls, so leaks are located and repaired at minimal cost.
4. All furnishings with enough space underneath for mopping up leaks/spills.
5. Ventilation (with dust control in mind).
6. Convenient light-proofing of entry/exit door.
7. Etc. etc.

Lucky you and hope you get it up and running hassle free, enjoy!