Decorating
Space Savers: The Beauty of Built-In Furniture
Spaces can work better and more efficiently with the help of some built-in furniture pieces
‘The greatest American architect of all time’, as he is sometimes described, Frank Lloyd Wright, had a penchant for built-in furniture. Now built-ins (as with many Mid-century elements) – from beds, to benches, to dining room tables – are popping up everywhere in new builds and renovations. They’re particularly useful for creating effective storage or adding useful elements in tight spaces.
This Wright-inspired house has taken ideas from the architect’s integrated approach to furniture, design and architecture, with lots of built-ins throughout. The look is seamless and the built-in shelving, seating and desk make use of all available space. Even better, the banquette here can widen to become a daybed for extra guests and the base makes for storage space underneath.
See more of this house
See more of this house
This cosy nook in a home just outside Tokyo, where space is often at a premium, makes lovely use of a corner for both shelving and seating. There may be under-bench storage here, too.
On the shelf
Built-in shelves here act as storage and display, and provide a screen between the stairway and lounge room. Plywood is a useful and pliable material for shelving and additional built-in furniture around the home.
See more uses of plywood here
Built-in shelves here act as storage and display, and provide a screen between the stairway and lounge room. Plywood is a useful and pliable material for shelving and additional built-in furniture around the home.
See more uses of plywood here
This is a lovely integrated look for a small – but oh-so-cosy – living area. The built-in fireplace makes the perfect focal point, with the built-in bookshelves wrapping around for clever use of space.
An extra bed
We’re seeing lots of clever use of space for increased sleeping areas, too – like this one that sits above a lounge room – perfect for extra children or overnight guests.
We’re seeing lots of clever use of space for increased sleeping areas, too – like this one that sits above a lounge room – perfect for extra children or overnight guests.
And talking of extra space for beds, how about taking those built-in bunk beds up another level to really make the most of those high ceilings?
More space-saving ways with beds
More space-saving ways with beds
Built-in appliances
For a seamless look, and to save the possible clunkiness of placing items into a space, consider recessing a television and fireplace into a custom-built wall.
For a seamless look, and to save the possible clunkiness of placing items into a space, consider recessing a television and fireplace into a custom-built wall.
Or build in drawers and cupboards – even an extra desk – for a multi-purpose living area.
In the home office
The use of built-ins really comes into its own in the home office. This one makes great use of storage with all those drawers, but there is also a homely touch with the recessed window seating – perfect for a quick afternoon snooze when it all gets a bit much.
The use of built-ins really comes into its own in the home office. This one makes great use of storage with all those drawers, but there is also a homely touch with the recessed window seating – perfect for a quick afternoon snooze when it all gets a bit much.
We’re also seeing a lot more built-in desks and I just love this one. It pulls out from under the kitchen benchtop. It might have been planned as a work area or a desk, but either way it works brilliantly, along with the built-in seating, for a multi-functional space.
A narrow space can be put to maximum use with a row of floor-to-ceiling shelving on one side and a desk, cupboards and more shelves on the other. Not a scrap of space wasted, but still room to move around – or to do a spot of yoga – in the middle.
A corner – and a window – could easily have gone unused but a simple desk and a chair turn this space into a useful work station.
One for the kids
Banquette style seating is useful in a kids’ room, providing a little extra storage and comfortable seating.
Banquette style seating is useful in a kids’ room, providing a little extra storage and comfortable seating.
On the outside
And let’s not forget all the potential for building in some outdoor seating into the landscape plan. Quite a few people could fit around this lovely outdoor fireplace – perfect for a party.
And let’s not forget all the potential for building in some outdoor seating into the landscape plan. Quite a few people could fit around this lovely outdoor fireplace – perfect for a party.
The stairs
These look like they would be tricky to build but what a great use of space for extra storage.
These look like they would be tricky to build but what a great use of space for extra storage.
Dining
That Wright-inspired house again with a built-in dining area. Note how this dining table is an extension of the kitchen benchtop.
That Wright-inspired house again with a built-in dining area. Note how this dining table is an extension of the kitchen benchtop.
Squeeze it in
Is it possible to transform the tiniest or most awkward little space in your home into something usable, if space is at a premium? Perhaps a desk just large enough for a laptop and some small but useful shelving – just add a statement piece of furniture to complete the picture.
Is it possible to transform the tiniest or most awkward little space in your home into something usable, if space is at a premium? Perhaps a desk just large enough for a laptop and some small but useful shelving – just add a statement piece of furniture to complete the picture.
TELL US
Do you like built-in furniture? Please show us yours or tell us about it in the Comments.
MORE
Can’t Find the Furnishings You Want? It’s Time to Go Bespoke
12 Creative Ways to Maximise Limited Living Spaces
8 Big Space-Saving Ideas for Small Home Offices
Do you like built-in furniture? Please show us yours or tell us about it in the Comments.
MORE
Can’t Find the Furnishings You Want? It’s Time to Go Bespoke
12 Creative Ways to Maximise Limited Living Spaces
8 Big Space-Saving Ideas for Small Home Offices
Window recesses are a useful place to build in furniture, as it’s a space that might not otherwise be used. It also means you can bask, cat-like, in the sunshine. Another advantage is extra storage under the banquette-style seating.