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.
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