When Should You Get Bespoke, Built-In Storage?
Sometimes it really pays to invest in custom carpentry, as these stylish examples demonstrate
Amanda Pollard
23 March 2022
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
Wondering whether to go for some freestanding storage or opt for a bespoke, built-in solution? It often depends on a few factors, such as the type of storage you need, how you want it to look and where it’s going to be located. Read on to discover examples of when a custom-made piece of joinery really made a room.
When you’re after a streamlined look
In an open-plan space, some well-designed joinery can help give the room a less-cluttered look. The under-stairs cupboards in this kitchen/living space in Essex, UK, are a great example. A standard door with handles could have been too busy, so it was important for Whitfield of An Artful Life to create something more visually appealing to match the clean-lined look of the rest of her home.
The ply-faced, push-to-open doors are ideal and cleverly conceal some handy shoe and coat racks.
In an open-plan space, some well-designed joinery can help give the room a less-cluttered look. The under-stairs cupboards in this kitchen/living space in Essex, UK, are a great example. A standard door with handles could have been too busy, so it was important for Whitfield of An Artful Life to create something more visually appealing to match the clean-lined look of the rest of her home.
The ply-faced, push-to-open doors are ideal and cleverly conceal some handy shoe and coat racks.
When you want to up your organisation game
Some storage areas need to work harder than others, particularly those that are used frequently and tasked with holding a large number of items.
Take this huge kitchen cabinet, for example, which Emma Capron of Bean Interiors had made for her own kitchen. Capron is a keen cook, so she wanted to make use of the whole wall to keep all her ingredients and equipment in one easy-to-access area. A drinks cabinet was also on the wishlist, complete with LED strip lights for preparing cocktails in the evening.
On top of this, she wanted the storage to look beautiful, as it’s on full display, even from the hallway. To fulfil all these requirements, she asked her carpenter, Paul Fisher, to build these ply cabinets with an oak veneer. “When you open them, you see the lovely edge detail of the ply,” she says.
Would built-in cabinets streamline your home? Find joiners and cabinet makers in your area and read reviews from previous clients
Some storage areas need to work harder than others, particularly those that are used frequently and tasked with holding a large number of items.
Take this huge kitchen cabinet, for example, which Emma Capron of Bean Interiors had made for her own kitchen. Capron is a keen cook, so she wanted to make use of the whole wall to keep all her ingredients and equipment in one easy-to-access area. A drinks cabinet was also on the wishlist, complete with LED strip lights for preparing cocktails in the evening.
On top of this, she wanted the storage to look beautiful, as it’s on full display, even from the hallway. To fulfil all these requirements, she asked her carpenter, Paul Fisher, to build these ply cabinets with an oak veneer. “When you open them, you see the lovely edge detail of the ply,” she says.
Would built-in cabinets streamline your home? Find joiners and cabinet makers in your area and read reviews from previous clients
To hide an untidy area
Uneven architectural features and services can make it tricky to fit a piece of storage furniture into a space. That’s where some custom-made joinery can come into its own.
In this dining area in London, UK, designed by James Davies of Paper House Project, the wall of ply storage opposite the table looks satisfyingly streamlined. However, what lies behind isn’t so sleek. “We used this bank of storage to rationalise and unify all the awkward stuff that was going on along this wall,” James says. “You have utilities in there, a nib of wall – which had to be retained from a structural point of view – and a stepped profile, so it would have looked really bitty.
“We tried to tidy it up and make use of every inch, so all those cabinets are at different depths and have stuff going on behind them, but they’re plugged into the available space,” he says. Ingenious.
Uneven architectural features and services can make it tricky to fit a piece of storage furniture into a space. That’s where some custom-made joinery can come into its own.
In this dining area in London, UK, designed by James Davies of Paper House Project, the wall of ply storage opposite the table looks satisfyingly streamlined. However, what lies behind isn’t so sleek. “We used this bank of storage to rationalise and unify all the awkward stuff that was going on along this wall,” James says. “You have utilities in there, a nib of wall – which had to be retained from a structural point of view – and a stepped profile, so it would have looked really bitty.
“We tried to tidy it up and make use of every inch, so all those cabinets are at different depths and have stuff going on behind them, but they’re plugged into the available space,” he says. Ingenious.
To make a seamless transition
An essential trick if you want to give your home a well-designed look is cohesion. By that, I mean tying together disparate areas of the property by repeating colours, materials or shapes. In this Edwardian house in London, designer Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors and architect Paul Conibere of Conibere Phillips Architects have achieved a harmonious feel with joinery.
Although in a separate space, the dining room leads through to the kitchen, so it made sense to visually unify the two rooms. The black floor-to-ceiling cabinets in the dining room feature an inlaid brass trim, which echoes the kitchen island.
An essential trick if you want to give your home a well-designed look is cohesion. By that, I mean tying together disparate areas of the property by repeating colours, materials or shapes. In this Edwardian house in London, designer Beth Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors and architect Paul Conibere of Conibere Phillips Architects have achieved a harmonious feel with joinery.
Although in a separate space, the dining room leads through to the kitchen, so it made sense to visually unify the two rooms. The black floor-to-ceiling cabinets in the dining room feature an inlaid brass trim, which echoes the kitchen island.
To add some period detail
If you’re looking to bring character to a room as well as functionality, a piece of custom-made storage could be the answer. In this London example, Andrew Jonathan Griffiths of A New Day doubled up on style and practicality with some wardrobes that look like wall panelling.
The cabinets fit perfectly into the awkward space and the push-to-open doors mean there are no handles to break up the expanse.
Browse more bedrooms with fantastic wardrobes and storage
If you’re looking to bring character to a room as well as functionality, a piece of custom-made storage could be the answer. In this London example, Andrew Jonathan Griffiths of A New Day doubled up on style and practicality with some wardrobes that look like wall panelling.
The cabinets fit perfectly into the awkward space and the push-to-open doors mean there are no handles to break up the expanse.
Browse more bedrooms with fantastic wardrobes and storage
To create a focal point
This seating area of this London home could have consisted of just those two armchairs and a TV stand – perfectly functional but perhaps a little dull. Instead, Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors decided to elevate the area with a piece of bespoke cabinetry.
A wall-to-wall MDF unit was built to display books and ornaments, as well as the TV screen, while below are useful cupboards for the children’s toys. The aged blue colour brings the whole unit together and helps turn the zone into a cosy spot to sit.
This seating area of this London home could have consisted of just those two armchairs and a TV stand – perfectly functional but perhaps a little dull. Instead, Dadswell of Imperfect Interiors decided to elevate the area with a piece of bespoke cabinetry.
A wall-to-wall MDF unit was built to display books and ornaments, as well as the TV screen, while below are useful cupboards for the children’s toys. The aged blue colour brings the whole unit together and helps turn the zone into a cosy spot to sit.
When you want to maximise every centimetre
In a room that needs to perform multiple functions, custom-made joinery can be a game-changer. The opportunity to design a piece of furniture to your own specifications will allow you to make the most of every part of the room.
That’s exactly what Whitfield did in this teenager’s bedroom in Essex. Oak-veneered MDF fits perfectly into every corner of the converted attic, providing an open shelving system that wraps around the bed, under-bed drawers, a run of wardrobes on the opposite wall and even a wide desk.
Your turn
Where would you like bespoke joinery in your home? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Want more on pretty and practical interior design? Don’t miss What to Do if You Don’t Have a Front Entrance
In a room that needs to perform multiple functions, custom-made joinery can be a game-changer. The opportunity to design a piece of furniture to your own specifications will allow you to make the most of every part of the room.
That’s exactly what Whitfield did in this teenager’s bedroom in Essex. Oak-veneered MDF fits perfectly into every corner of the converted attic, providing an open shelving system that wraps around the bed, under-bed drawers, a run of wardrobes on the opposite wall and even a wide desk.
Your turn
Where would you like bespoke joinery in your home? Tell us in the Comments, like this story, save the images and join the conversation.
More
Want more on pretty and practical interior design? Don’t miss What to Do if You Don’t Have a Front Entrance
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When we created an open kitchen, we added a butler’s pantry to our 1908 craftsman with a salvaged and refinished 1906 cabinet from a local salvage yard on one end and bespoke cabinetry to match. The under window cabinet was designed to use antique leaded glass panels I found at a yard sale across the country. China cabinets were lit inside with led strip lighting and backs wallpapered with grass cloth.
These may inspire you! All designed, made and fitted by Sawbespoke
Media storage and media walls provide a focal point where before it was a bare wall with a TV. There are endless possibilities!