The Wheres & Whys of Built-In Furniture

If you’re building a house, remodeling your existing house, or refurnishing, you may be considering built-in furniture. Naturally, you’ll have a lot of questions: why built-ins? Which furnishings should I build in? Where should I put it? Will I regret it? How much will it cost?

While you’ll have to make that choice on your own, there are many factors to take into consideration before decision time.

First, weigh the pros and cons of built-ins.

Advantages of built-in furniture:

Clears floor space for an open, airy feel and easy passage
May be customized to your needs and tastes
More subtle than heavy furniture
Efficient use of space, especially small or oddly-shaped spaces

Disadvantages of built-in furniture:

Permanence; difficulty in changing shelf or cubby configuration or removing entirely (you’re “stuck” with it in case of damage or style change)
Impossible to transfer to a new home
Often (but not always) more expensive than freestanding furniture
Limiting; once it’s in, you can’t move it to another part of the room or house

If you’ve decided that built-ins are right for you, now you’ll need to decide what you want to build in! The options are limitless; build in to any room to create a custom home.

Some ideas to get you started:

Bedroom: headboards, closets, dresser, night stand

Bathroom: vanity, tub, shelves

Powder Room by Gary Keith Jackson Design Inc

Living room: shelves, media center, seating

Living Room by Tommy Chambers Interiors, Inc.

Living Room by Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

Hallway & transitional spaces: bookshelves, desk, storage, window seat

Hall by Artistic Designs for Living, Tineke Triggs

Laundry room: drying racks, ironing cabinet, shelves for supplies, pet bed, appliances

Laundry Room by Leicht Westchester Kitchens

Mudroom or entry: cubbies, hooks, benches

Dining room: china closet, buffet

China hutch by Hostetler Custom Cabinetry

Kitchen: banquette, appliances

Dining Room by Fiona Andrews Interiors Limited

Kitchen by Nicholaeff Architecture + Design

Surprisingly, built-ins may seem like the epitome of luxury, but they can actually be more cost-effective than freestanding furniture. A built-in unit will save you from hunting for the perfectly-sized piece (that may cost a lot due to an unusual shape). You can also get creative with DIY built-ins; check out IKEA Hackers (and this post from Good Housekeeping) to see how you can transform that nondescript bookcase!