[jyl]

I'm building my daughter a darkroom in the basement, using the space under the basement stairs plus a little bumpout into the rest of the basement.

The space is essentially an "L". Imagine you have a piece of graph paper. Draw a rectangle, appx 36" wide x 36" high, with a 30" door at the bottom edge. This is the core of the darkroom, where the person stands or sits on a high stool. On the upper edge, add a rectangle about 36" wide x 39" high. That is the space under the stairs, we have two stacked and staggered counters for developing trays, the lower counter extends about 10" closer to the person than the upper. On the right edge, add a rectangle appx 28" wide x 36" high. That is a little bump out, and where the enlarger will go.

Yeah, it will be a cozy space. When she has lots of printing to do, she can use the nearby rental darkroom, it has a print developing machine, print dryers, light tables, long sinks, 12 enlargers, etc. I should add that she develops film at the rental darkroom too, because they have all the chemicals freshly mixed, temp controlled water, negative drying closet, and it costs like $2/roll. This home darkroom will be for small projects and getting away from the family.

Question is , anyone have ideas or suggestions for what I should add "while I'm in there"?

Things I've considered:
- Running water or a drain. The laundry sink is only about 10' away so I could install some flexible or PVC lines to bring water to a tap above the tray counters. A proper drain would be tough. I'm not sure why we need water in there: seems the trays can simply be filled and dumped at the laundry sink.
- Electricity: of course. There is an unused overhead light fixture under the stairs so tapping power is simple. I figure I need outlets for one or two safelights, the enlarger and timer, a radio or iPhone dock; and a normal switched overhead light. Isn't there usually also a red light outside the darkroom that comes on when the normal light inside is switched on?
- Ventilation: I'm probably going to use a bathroom vent fan to pull air from over the tray counters, through a duct leading to the nearest basement window. She'll open the window when using the darkroom. I don't want to make a hole in the siding for a permanent duct.
- Print drying rack: I could build some mesh racks under the tray counters, for prints to dry. It might be a dusty spot though.
- Computer: she currently monopolizes the family Mac when she is doing her digital photography. I'm considering trying to squeeze a Mac mini and monitor/keyboard somewhere in this tiny space.
- Storage: we 'll need storage for chemicals, paper, negative carriers, etc. There will a large-ish unused space under the enlarger counter. Maybe I can find a drawer unit that will fit there.
- Light sealing: I haven't given this much thought. I'm assuming that weather stripping the door will do it. The space is windowless, of course.

Any thoughts, tips, ideas, warnings?