Hi Glenys, Your question has the answer - cost! Built-in joinery is costly when compared to other alternatives (eg. IKEA and franchise furniture stores). It's also one of the last items of a build, so easy to be left out and 'put in at a later date' if projects are over budget. Home owners renovating or building a house they intend to stay in for a long time will outlay the upfront costs for built in joinery for the benefits you mention. Unfortunately however the majority of housing stock is builder designed/built and operate on the cheapest build price, resulting in elements that support sustainability and liveability being overlooked. Also the dominance of 'flipping houses' we've seen in the last 2 decades has the same problem, cheapest fix up for maximum profit. As architects we discuss with clients all elements of home comfort and storage for life's stuff is a top priority. We also design based on 'spaces for people' not 'rooms for furniture' and often encourage clients to - build less to build well. But unfortunately we're only talking to 10 families a year, not the masses of reality TV viewers. Regards, Amy.

Thank you for your response. I believe that storage is the most important part of a home. Like you said, it all comes down to cost,but you have to wonder when you see all the trashy furniture on the side of the road, when it's "hard waste" collection time, whether it's more economical to keep your stuff in a box until you can afford what you really want in your home. People won't wait:they want it done and dusted, all for the sake of appearance.