How to Design Built-Ins That Fit Your Needs
Tips for designing built-in bookshelves and storage
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
I've been looking at built-ins for some friends who are building an addition onto their house, and luckily I have Houzz to peruse for plenty of ideas. Where do you start when designing your built-ins?
1) THINK ABOUT YOUR NEEDS: When considering built-in storage, think about what you need to store. What is unsightly and what do you want to show off? Do you hate to dust? If so, consider glass doors. However, if you need to be child-proof, don't consider glass doors on lower cabinets.
2) MEASURE: Consider the measurements you'll require. For instance, do you have a bunch of coffee table books you'd like to shelve? Check out their heights and widths to figure out what you'll need. Remember that books look good stacked as well as standing upright. I recommend having your carpenter make the shelves adjustable. Likewise, for cabinet storage, measure games and other items to make sure they will fit.
3) LINE THINGS UP: As for aesthetics, look around the room for horizontal lines to line built-ins up with, like mantles. Take a look at the ceiling mouldings and baseboards in your home, and have your carpenter match them across the tops and bottoms of shelving units.
4) REUSE: Think about repurposing. Are there some favorite salvaged doors, cabinets, or pieces of wood you'd like to incorporate into the design? It can be done.
5) LIGHT: Consider lighting needs. You can provide light from rope lights tucked under shelves, consider art lighting, or you may want to install some outlets within the built-ins so that you can incorporate some small table lamps or be able to hide unsightly media wires.
6) SKETCH: Grab some graph paper and sit in front of the area where you are considering installing built-ins. Don't be afraid to get up, grab a tape measure, and draw the facade right on the wall to check yourself.
Here are some examples of some very well thought out built-ins:
1) THINK ABOUT YOUR NEEDS: When considering built-in storage, think about what you need to store. What is unsightly and what do you want to show off? Do you hate to dust? If so, consider glass doors. However, if you need to be child-proof, don't consider glass doors on lower cabinets.
2) MEASURE: Consider the measurements you'll require. For instance, do you have a bunch of coffee table books you'd like to shelve? Check out their heights and widths to figure out what you'll need. Remember that books look good stacked as well as standing upright. I recommend having your carpenter make the shelves adjustable. Likewise, for cabinet storage, measure games and other items to make sure they will fit.
3) LINE THINGS UP: As for aesthetics, look around the room for horizontal lines to line built-ins up with, like mantles. Take a look at the ceiling mouldings and baseboards in your home, and have your carpenter match them across the tops and bottoms of shelving units.
4) REUSE: Think about repurposing. Are there some favorite salvaged doors, cabinets, or pieces of wood you'd like to incorporate into the design? It can be done.
5) LIGHT: Consider lighting needs. You can provide light from rope lights tucked under shelves, consider art lighting, or you may want to install some outlets within the built-ins so that you can incorporate some small table lamps or be able to hide unsightly media wires.
6) SKETCH: Grab some graph paper and sit in front of the area where you are considering installing built-ins. Don't be afraid to get up, grab a tape measure, and draw the facade right on the wall to check yourself.
Here are some examples of some very well thought out built-ins:
by CWB Architects
»
Check out how these built-ins follow the horizontal lines provided by the fireplace and mantle, and the great cabinets underneath for storing games. The cube space for storing firewood is the icing on the cake.
by CWB Architects
»
I love the narrow bookshelves set in the wall.
by CWB Architects
»
Note that these shelves have artwork lights above them and baseboards at the bottom that coordinate with the rest of the room. This lends a uniform feeling.
The symmetry of the shelves around the door gives a sense of balance.
Glass doors help minimize how much you'll need to dust the displays. Comb architectural salvage and antique stores for beautiful leaded glass, or consider having an artisan craft some custom glass doors.
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| Here the built-ins maximize every inch, including over the doors and windows. |
A library ladder brings high shelves within your reach. Again, not the most child-proof move, but lovely for those who don't have to worry about little climbers.
The mouldings at the bottom in the center are modeled after the cabinet doors, providing uniformity.
These built-ins are scaled perfectly so that they complement the fireplace, rather than overwhelming it.
Don't be afraid to use different textures and materials. The lovely pine wood boards here were reclaimed from the attic of the home during a renovation.
If you find some killer leaded glass doors at a salvage place, you can plan your built-ins around them.
Also, note that the mouldings at the top match the rest of the room. Another great lighting trick is to tuck simple rope lights up at the top where no one can see them.
Also, note that the mouldings at the top match the rest of the room. Another great lighting trick is to tuck simple rope lights up at the top where no one can see them.
Ideabook updated on Oct. 15, 2009.
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I really like her great storage solutions.
Don't store firewood inside your home!