Looking much better.

If no light at all get's into the basement during the plant's lights-off time, no need to close the cabinet up. The added ventilatin would be a benefit. But if there's a window or any other light sources down there, (light coming from under the basement door, headlights coming around the corner outside, street lights...) you should be good to go.

Regarding pinching: search the site for 'topping'.