Post by Stacey Walker. Stacey mostly works behind the scenes for Walker Woodworking, managing day to day operations, and marketing. Stacey has helped many clients create their dream space.
What are Built-ins?
Storage is an important part of any home design. We need it to keep things safe, within easy reach, and neatly tucked away from view. Built-ins are a great way to obtain the extra storage you want while enhancing the living space in your home and adding character to the room. They can be decorative, functional, and stylish all at once, not to mention they are perfect for multiple areas in the home. Let’s talk about what they are and the many benefits they can bring to your family.
What are built-ins?
Built-ins are a reflection of their name since they are built directly into the interior of the home. Of course the most common are bookshelves, open shelving in living rooms and kitchens as well as pantries. They can vary in size and width but their purpose remains the same, functionality.
The benefits of built-ins
There are endless benefits to including these wonderful storage options to your home and fulfill a wide variety of roles. Custom built-ins can take these benefits to a whole new level since it will be made according to the needs of your family. A few of the benefits include:
- Added value
- Beauty
- Function
- Maximize space
- Security
Choosing to add built-ins to an area in the home can increase the value since it provides potential owners with extra storage space that is integrated into the design of the room versus placing a moveable shelf. It can also maximize the space already there by turning an area into something better such as a wall, under the stairs, and even around the fireplace. This means that you can get the most out of every square foot and even some you didn’t know you had before. It also brings beauty and function to the room since built-ins are custom made and can reflect what is important to you. Items can easily be stored in the area of the home that they will be used in such as cleaning supplies in the laundry room and board games in the family room. One additional benefit is that they are securely fastened to the wall eliminating any hazard of falling or tumbling over onto young children. Learn a few more pros of adding built-ins to your home here.
Where can you use built-ins
When you think of built-ins your mind may automatically go to a mudroom or living room wall but that is only the beginning of their locations. Built-ins can be used in just about every area of the home and some you may not have even considered such as:
- Home office
- Pantries
- Mudrooms
- Wine rooms
- Living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Closets
- Laundry room
Built-ins provide an elegant way for you to store items and display the things that matter most to you in a charming way. For those who work from home, built-ins give you a place to store books and materials you need ready access to plus any supplies or tools needed for your job. Pantries are also a perfect way to utilize these custom pieces because it allows you to keep things separate according to need such as baking and cooking items and can even be used for storing larger items like crock pots. Mudrooms and laundry rooms benefit from built-ins as well since everyday things like shoes, backpacks, cleaning supplies, detergents, and even sports gear can be neatly stowed away here out of the way but easy enough for the kids to access when in need. Wine rooms are another area in the home that enjoy the benefits offered by built-ins. It makes it easy to store your wines and keep them in the order you need. For those who enjoy creating a little private sanctuary in their bedroom, built-ins are great for that too. Storing books and even handheld electronic devices were never easier or neater. Built-ins are a benefit to the home no matter which way you look at them and make staying organized much easier.
Design tips for built-ins
While they add function to the space and are a practical option there are still a few things to consider when preparing to design built-ins for your room such as:
- Contrast
- Purpose
- Varying depths and heights
- Closed doors
It’s important to factor in what they will be used for in a room since each has different purposes. If it is for a hidden pantry you may want to add varying depths and heights so that an array of things can be stored such as mixers, dishes, and bottles of cooking oil. Contrast is another key element for built-ins that will be in living rooms and entryway mudrooms. If you are doing white built-ins, think about painting the wall a dark color like navy blue or black, the result will be nothing short of stunning. Pairing natural or stained wood with a lighter color is also another great option. Wallpaper has also been used on several occasions by interior designers. One other thing to think about when designing built-ins is if you want to keep some things hidden by adding doors. Built-ins make it easy to showcase the things we love like antique objects and books but there are times when we don’t want everyone to see everything. Doors make it easy to put things away plus keep the room looking beautiful. Your designer will have experience in creating a built-in that is customized to your exact need so don’t be afraid to share your purpose for the room or ask questions.
Are you ready?
Our team has designed countless projects for our clients involving built-ins for multiple areas in the home. Our goal is to always give them what they need, a cabinet that will serve a specific purpose, one that is exclusively for them. We know that form and function go together in a home and one can exist with the other. With over 1500 projects completed in over 16 counties covering two states, we can safely say we have what you need to get the job done. Are you ready to bring functionality to your home and make your daily routines easier through customized design? Give us a call or contact us via email to get started.
