5 New Living Rooms Where Built-Ins Make a Big Statement
Designers share how custom millwork brings focus, function and personality to five living spaces
A well-designed built-in unit can transform a living room, giving it focus, function and a sense that the space was made to last. Custom millwork brings architecture and personality to a room in a way freestanding furniture simply can’t. For these five new living rooms, designers share how they used built-ins to solve real problems and create spaces the homeowners love to live in.
2. Moody Meets Practical
Designer: Amy Leferink of Interior Impressions
Location: Minnesota
Size: 360 square feet (33 square meters); 18 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted their living room to feel more intentional, cohesive and elevated while still being comfortable for everyday use,” says designer Amy Leferink. “The existing space felt a bit disjointed, with a traditional fireplace that didn’t align with their desired aesthetic, and lacked both visual impact and functional storage. Our goal was to create a strong focal point while adding warmth, texture and purpose. We reimagined the fireplace wall entirely, incorporating built-ins and layered materials to bring both beauty and functionality into the space.”
Built-in details. “The built-ins were designed as an extension of the architecture rather than feeling like added furniture,” Leferink says. “We incorporated custom cabinetry in a rich black painted finish (Caviar by Sherwin-Williams) to anchor the fireplace wall and provide concealed storage. Flanking the fireplace, rift-sawn white oak floating shelves add warmth and contrast, creating a balanced mix of light and dark tones.
“A substantial wood mantel ties the composition together, while the cabinetry and shelving provide both display space and everyday functionality. This approach was chosen over standalone furniture to create a more cohesive, built-in look that feels intentional and tailored to the home. It allows the entire wall to function as a unified design feature rather than a collection of separate pieces.”
Other special features. “The fireplace itself was updated to a sleek linear design, surrounded by a minimal black granite stone for a clean, modern look,” Leferink says. “The entire wall was wrapped in horizontal shiplap and painted in a deep black to create contrast and depth. To soften the darker elements, we introduced a textured grasscloth wallpaper on the adjacent walls, which adds subtle warmth and dimension without competing with the focal point. Throughout the space we layered warm wood tones, soft neutrals and aged brass accents to create a refined yet inviting palette. Updated lighting, including picture lights above the shelving, adds both function and a warm ambient glow.”
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to use contrast,” Leferink says. “Pairing darker architectural elements with warm wood tones and soft textures creates depth and balance, helping a space feel both grounded and inviting rather than flat or one-dimensional.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “One of the biggest challenges was balancing the scale of the fireplace wall,” Leferink says. “We knew we wanted it to feel impactful, but there was a moment during the design phase where we questioned if going dark and full height would overwhelm the room. Creating 3D renderings of the space helped us work through that hesitation. Seeing the proportions, materials and contrast come together digitally gave both us and the homeowners confidence to move forward — and ultimately it became the defining feature of the space.”
Leferink uses Houzz Pro software to manage projects. “We utilize features such as the 3D Floor Planner and renderings to help clients visualize their space early in the design process,” she says. “For this project, renderings of the fireplace wall were especially helpful in communicating scale, materiality and overall design intent, allowing the client to feel confident in their decisions before construction began.”
Wall paint: Drift of Mist, Sherwin-Williams
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
Designer: Amy Leferink of Interior Impressions
Location: Minnesota
Size: 360 square feet (33 square meters); 18 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted their living room to feel more intentional, cohesive and elevated while still being comfortable for everyday use,” says designer Amy Leferink. “The existing space felt a bit disjointed, with a traditional fireplace that didn’t align with their desired aesthetic, and lacked both visual impact and functional storage. Our goal was to create a strong focal point while adding warmth, texture and purpose. We reimagined the fireplace wall entirely, incorporating built-ins and layered materials to bring both beauty and functionality into the space.”
Built-in details. “The built-ins were designed as an extension of the architecture rather than feeling like added furniture,” Leferink says. “We incorporated custom cabinetry in a rich black painted finish (Caviar by Sherwin-Williams) to anchor the fireplace wall and provide concealed storage. Flanking the fireplace, rift-sawn white oak floating shelves add warmth and contrast, creating a balanced mix of light and dark tones.
“A substantial wood mantel ties the composition together, while the cabinetry and shelving provide both display space and everyday functionality. This approach was chosen over standalone furniture to create a more cohesive, built-in look that feels intentional and tailored to the home. It allows the entire wall to function as a unified design feature rather than a collection of separate pieces.”
Other special features. “The fireplace itself was updated to a sleek linear design, surrounded by a minimal black granite stone for a clean, modern look,” Leferink says. “The entire wall was wrapped in horizontal shiplap and painted in a deep black to create contrast and depth. To soften the darker elements, we introduced a textured grasscloth wallpaper on the adjacent walls, which adds subtle warmth and dimension without competing with the focal point. Throughout the space we layered warm wood tones, soft neutrals and aged brass accents to create a refined yet inviting palette. Updated lighting, including picture lights above the shelving, adds both function and a warm ambient glow.”
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to use contrast,” Leferink says. “Pairing darker architectural elements with warm wood tones and soft textures creates depth and balance, helping a space feel both grounded and inviting rather than flat or one-dimensional.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “One of the biggest challenges was balancing the scale of the fireplace wall,” Leferink says. “We knew we wanted it to feel impactful, but there was a moment during the design phase where we questioned if going dark and full height would overwhelm the room. Creating 3D renderings of the space helped us work through that hesitation. Seeing the proportions, materials and contrast come together digitally gave both us and the homeowners confidence to move forward — and ultimately it became the defining feature of the space.”
Leferink uses Houzz Pro software to manage projects. “We utilize features such as the 3D Floor Planner and renderings to help clients visualize their space early in the design process,” she says. “For this project, renderings of the fireplace wall were especially helpful in communicating scale, materiality and overall design intent, allowing the client to feel confident in their decisions before construction began.”
Wall paint: Drift of Mist, Sherwin-Williams
See why you should hire a professional who uses Houzz Pro software
3. Warming Up With Character
Designer: Sabrina Brown of Innovative Design Build
Location: Milton, Georgia
Size: 293 square feet (27 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “They wanted to warm it up with warm whites, blues and natural elements,” says designer Sabrina Brown.
Built-in details. “The built-ins were existing but needed sprucing up from their existing basic style,” Brown says. “We added the new door and drawer fronts, new cabinet hardware and painted them to match the kitchen cabinets (White Dove by Benjamin Moore). We also added the wallpaper to the back of the shelves to add some dimension and play with the color tones of the fireplace brick. Built-ins offer a more custom feel when displaying items like pictures, souvenirs from trips or art.”
Other special features. “Before the renovation, their existing fireplace consisted of sheetrock with a stone mantel and hearth,” Brown says. “They wanted something with more character. We achieved this by adding the brick veneer surround, the reclaimed cypress wood mantel and grasscloth wallpaper to the back of the built-in shelves.”
Designer tip. “When designing a great room, it’s important that the spaces feel cohesive,” Brown says. “Pulling colors from the kitchen into the living space is important. Adding items such as rugs helps to ground the different rooms and make them feel separate even within the same space.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When we first sat down with the homeowners to design the new fireplace surround, we weren’t certain we could use brick because we didn’t want to damage the existing structure of the built-ins,” Brown says. “True brick would be too thick and would interfere with the built-ins, preventing the doors from opening as they currently do. It was actually the idea of the project coordinator, Trevor Robertson, who suggested we use a brick veneer attached to plywood boards set between the studs of the existing fireplace structure. The brick veneer was roughly the same thickness as sheetrock, allowing us to keep the existing built-ins and framing of the fireplace.”
Project manager: Raul Lopez; wall paint: Pale Oak, Benjamin Moore
Designer: Sabrina Brown of Innovative Design Build
Location: Milton, Georgia
Size: 293 square feet (27 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “They wanted to warm it up with warm whites, blues and natural elements,” says designer Sabrina Brown.
Built-in details. “The built-ins were existing but needed sprucing up from their existing basic style,” Brown says. “We added the new door and drawer fronts, new cabinet hardware and painted them to match the kitchen cabinets (White Dove by Benjamin Moore). We also added the wallpaper to the back of the shelves to add some dimension and play with the color tones of the fireplace brick. Built-ins offer a more custom feel when displaying items like pictures, souvenirs from trips or art.”
Other special features. “Before the renovation, their existing fireplace consisted of sheetrock with a stone mantel and hearth,” Brown says. “They wanted something with more character. We achieved this by adding the brick veneer surround, the reclaimed cypress wood mantel and grasscloth wallpaper to the back of the built-in shelves.”
Designer tip. “When designing a great room, it’s important that the spaces feel cohesive,” Brown says. “Pulling colors from the kitchen into the living space is important. Adding items such as rugs helps to ground the different rooms and make them feel separate even within the same space.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “When we first sat down with the homeowners to design the new fireplace surround, we weren’t certain we could use brick because we didn’t want to damage the existing structure of the built-ins,” Brown says. “True brick would be too thick and would interfere with the built-ins, preventing the doors from opening as they currently do. It was actually the idea of the project coordinator, Trevor Robertson, who suggested we use a brick veneer attached to plywood boards set between the studs of the existing fireplace structure. The brick veneer was roughly the same thickness as sheetrock, allowing us to keep the existing built-ins and framing of the fireplace.”
Project manager: Raul Lopez; wall paint: Pale Oak, Benjamin Moore
4. Basement Goes Bold
Designers: Mollie Renteria and Rebecca Cashmore of Lakeside Luxury Interiors
Location: Maple Grove, Minnesota
Size: 286 square feet (27 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted to transform their unfinished basement into a moody, cozy space that felt like a fun and updated extension of the rest of their home,” says designer Mollie Renteria. “Their goal was to create a warm lower-level living area where they could entertain guests, watch movies and spend time as a family.”
Built-in details. “The built-ins were designed to be both functional and a statement moment,” Renteria says. “We created a full fireplace and media wall with closed storage, open shelving, vertical paneling, linear sconces and brass accents. The cabinetry is painted Sherwin-Williams Cyberspace, which gave the space the moody depth we wanted. The closed cabinets provide storage for games, toys, photos and everyday items, while the open shelves allow for styling and personality. We chose built-ins over standalone furniture because they made the room feel more intentional, custom and architectural, while adding the wow factor the clients were hoping for.”
Other special features. “The styling really brought the built-ins to life,” Renteria says. “We layered books, ceramics, framed art and sculptural pieces to add warmth and dimension against the dark built-ins. It’s also a great example of why styling matters — the millwork creates the architecture but the accessories, lighting and layered details are what make it feel like home. We also wanted to maximize seating for Super Bowl parties, family gatherings and entertaining. The large sectional, two swivel chairs and console with stools give the room plenty of flexible seating without feeling crowded.”
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to go a little moody, especially in spaces like a basement where you can have more fun with depth and contrast,” Renteria says. “And if you’re working with a designer, choose someone who will gently push you outside of your comfort zone. That’s often where the best, most memorable spaces come from.”
Renteria uses Houzz Pro software to help manage her design projects and advertise her firm. “We love the 3D floor scanner,” she says. “It helps us quickly and effectively get us all of the measurements needed for our projects. We also use the CRM [Custom Relationship Management] tools to keep our workflow organized, as we have a multidesigner team.”
Designers: Mollie Renteria and Rebecca Cashmore of Lakeside Luxury Interiors
Location: Maple Grove, Minnesota
Size: 286 square feet (27 square meters)
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted to transform their unfinished basement into a moody, cozy space that felt like a fun and updated extension of the rest of their home,” says designer Mollie Renteria. “Their goal was to create a warm lower-level living area where they could entertain guests, watch movies and spend time as a family.”
Built-in details. “The built-ins were designed to be both functional and a statement moment,” Renteria says. “We created a full fireplace and media wall with closed storage, open shelving, vertical paneling, linear sconces and brass accents. The cabinetry is painted Sherwin-Williams Cyberspace, which gave the space the moody depth we wanted. The closed cabinets provide storage for games, toys, photos and everyday items, while the open shelves allow for styling and personality. We chose built-ins over standalone furniture because they made the room feel more intentional, custom and architectural, while adding the wow factor the clients were hoping for.”
Other special features. “The styling really brought the built-ins to life,” Renteria says. “We layered books, ceramics, framed art and sculptural pieces to add warmth and dimension against the dark built-ins. It’s also a great example of why styling matters — the millwork creates the architecture but the accessories, lighting and layered details are what make it feel like home. We also wanted to maximize seating for Super Bowl parties, family gatherings and entertaining. The large sectional, two swivel chairs and console with stools give the room plenty of flexible seating without feeling crowded.”
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to go a little moody, especially in spaces like a basement where you can have more fun with depth and contrast,” Renteria says. “And if you’re working with a designer, choose someone who will gently push you outside of your comfort zone. That’s often where the best, most memorable spaces come from.”
Renteria uses Houzz Pro software to help manage her design projects and advertise her firm. “We love the 3D floor scanner,” she says. “It helps us quickly and effectively get us all of the measurements needed for our projects. We also use the CRM [Custom Relationship Management] tools to keep our workflow organized, as we have a multidesigner team.”
5. Coastal Calm and Continuity
Designer: Tyson Ness of Studio Ness
Location: Bridgehampton, New York
Size: 400 square feet (37 square meters); 20 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This new-build Hamptons home was thoughtfully tailored to support the clients’ lifestyle, with this room conceived as the central hub for entertaining,” says designer Tyson Ness. “The vision was to create a room that could open seamlessly to adjacent gathering spaces and feel equally inviting whether hosting a full house or sitting quietly in between. The space needed to be comfortable, visually composed from every angle and able to encourage a natural sense of ease for guests.”
Built-in details. “We chose to fully integrate the wall by building out the niches with floating quartersawn white oak wood shelving that draw on the same warm tones used in the kitchen beyond, creating quiet continuity across the main living spaces,” Ness says. “At the center, we introduced a custom floating limestone hearth, designed at seating height and spanning the full width of the fireplace wall. Its creamy base, layered with fossilized shell detail, brings quiet movement and reinforces the coastal sensibility of the home. This move served multiple purposes. Architecturally it grounds the elevation and gives the fireplace the presence it requires to anchor the room. Functionally it provides additional informal seating without introducing excess furniture, an important consideration for clients who regularly host large gatherings.”
Other special features. “To ground the room’s scale, we introduced a sculptural sofa, low-slung lounge chairs and a generously proportioned custom coffee table, each piece selected to anchor the space while maintaining a sense of openness,” Ness says. “The overall palette leans sandy and tonal, allowing each element to feel connected without becoming repetitive.”
Designer tip. “One of the most effective ways to make built-ins feel intentional is to design them around what you already own,” Ness says. “Rather than arbitrarily determining shelf spacing, we began by curating the clients’ existing collection and mapping those pieces directly into our elevations. This allowed us to study scale, spacing and visual rhythm before anything was built, ensuring every item would have a place and presence. We ultimately landed on three shelves per side, a decision that allows the collection to breathe while still feeling complete.”
Sofa: Tufty-Time, B&B Italia; chairs: Four Hands; coffee table: custom gray limestone, Studio Ness; waterfall benches: Crate & Barrel; side table: Baron in plaster, Lemieux et Cie; wall paint: Swiss Coffee, Benjamin Moore
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Designer: Tyson Ness of Studio Ness
Location: Bridgehampton, New York
Size: 400 square feet (37 square meters); 20 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. “This new-build Hamptons home was thoughtfully tailored to support the clients’ lifestyle, with this room conceived as the central hub for entertaining,” says designer Tyson Ness. “The vision was to create a room that could open seamlessly to adjacent gathering spaces and feel equally inviting whether hosting a full house or sitting quietly in between. The space needed to be comfortable, visually composed from every angle and able to encourage a natural sense of ease for guests.”
Built-in details. “We chose to fully integrate the wall by building out the niches with floating quartersawn white oak wood shelving that draw on the same warm tones used in the kitchen beyond, creating quiet continuity across the main living spaces,” Ness says. “At the center, we introduced a custom floating limestone hearth, designed at seating height and spanning the full width of the fireplace wall. Its creamy base, layered with fossilized shell detail, brings quiet movement and reinforces the coastal sensibility of the home. This move served multiple purposes. Architecturally it grounds the elevation and gives the fireplace the presence it requires to anchor the room. Functionally it provides additional informal seating without introducing excess furniture, an important consideration for clients who regularly host large gatherings.”
Other special features. “To ground the room’s scale, we introduced a sculptural sofa, low-slung lounge chairs and a generously proportioned custom coffee table, each piece selected to anchor the space while maintaining a sense of openness,” Ness says. “The overall palette leans sandy and tonal, allowing each element to feel connected without becoming repetitive.”
Designer tip. “One of the most effective ways to make built-ins feel intentional is to design them around what you already own,” Ness says. “Rather than arbitrarily determining shelf spacing, we began by curating the clients’ existing collection and mapping those pieces directly into our elevations. This allowed us to study scale, spacing and visual rhythm before anything was built, ensuring every item would have a place and presence. We ultimately landed on three shelves per side, a decision that allows the collection to breathe while still feeling complete.”
Sofa: Tufty-Time, B&B Italia; chairs: Four Hands; coffee table: custom gray limestone, Studio Ness; waterfall benches: Crate & Barrel; side table: Baron in plaster, Lemieux et Cie; wall paint: Swiss Coffee, Benjamin Moore
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Browse photos for ideas
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Sponsored
VA and MD Design & Remodeling Firm
Specializing in Kitchen & Bath
Designer: Victoria van Zanten Interior Design
Location: Oakland, California
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters); 15 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted a living room polished enough to entertain their friends yet comfortable and durable enough for everyday life with two young children,” says designer Victoria van Zanten. “They wanted to create an elevated space that was sophisticated but practical and family-friendly at the same time.”
Built-in details. “The room had great bones, but wall-to-wall warm wood tones felt heavy and unfocused,” van Zanten says. “We decided to preserve the original wood floors and windows, then paint the built-ins in a deep moody color (Gray Gardens by Benjamin Moore) to ground the space and create a clear focal point. Reupholstering the window seat in a beautiful C&C Milano outdoor fabric made the room feel more inviting while also adding durability for a young family. The lower drawers were deliberately preserved as toy storage, and lidded baskets were tucked into the lowest niches to handle the overflow. Built-ins made this possible in a way freestanding furniture simply couldn’t.”
Other special features. Deep teal fireplace surround tile. Oak dining table. Wool Roman shades.
Designer tip. “Be thoughtful and intentional about where you want the eye to go, then build around that,” van Zanten says. “In this project, the wood surfaces were competing for attention. By deciding which elements to keep in their natural wood tone and which to paint, we were able to create a stronger focal point at the built-in wall. Adding soft Roman shades and hand-blown pendants further balanced the room by softening the hard lines and bold color of the millwork.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Getting the window coverings right was one of the biggest challenges,” van Zanten says. “There was very little room for error, and they were made incorrectly the first time. Because the shades were such an important finishing detail, it took patience and persistence to make sure the final result was both functional and perfectly tailored to the space.”
Van Zanten uses Houzz Pro software, especially to create and send proposals. “It keeps the process organized and transparent for both me and my clients,” she says.
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