by Blake Herzog
Furniture is as inevitable as taxes and the other thing, with all the positives and negatives it brings. It makes a house livable, but it’s bulky and rarely fills space perfectly, leaving weird gaps you can’t do anything with. It can be too heavy to move and difficult to clean behind and underneath. Some of it can even turn hazardous if it tips over.
Built-in furniture solves all of these problems and adds gobs of character to a home, giving it a stately yet inviting appearance that welcomes you and all of your stuff with open shelves, benches and more.
Here’s what to consider as you decide whether built-ins are right for you, whether you’re remodeling or building a home from scratch.
Maximized space
Built-in dressers, wardrobes, beds and desks are crafted to meet the measurements of your floor plan, putting all of your storage exactly where you need it to be. There’s no lugging your exercise gear to the living room from the garage every morning when there’s an ideally sized cabinet underneath the TV where you watch your workouts, for instance.
Clutter busters
Built-ins reduce clutter by leaving you with no excuses for not putting things away, since everything has a compartment where it belongs. Closet chaos is tamped down by shelves for shoes, purses and hats; pull-out wire baskets in the pantry are the perfect place to store nonrefrigerated fruit and veggies off of the counter.
If you or your family have trouble staying organized to the degree this would require you should steer clear, however.
Clean, intentional look
Furnishings that float throughout a room or are set against the walls don’t have the same gravitas as items sewn into the structure as architectural features. They give your rooms additional personality along with the space, like it was built with care. Many buyers consider them a signifier of a well-built, higher-end home.
When you’re seeking a more informal, relaxed tone the regimentation of built-ins could work against what you want.
Upfront cost
Incorporating built-in furniture may be more cost-effective during a new-home build rather than a remodel, which is the more common scenario. Finding an experienced carpenter who can ensure a proper fit, strong load capacity and flawless finishes is going to be costly, but is going to add more value to your home than a DIY project.
One of the most frequently asked questions is whether built-ins add value to your home, and answers tend to be mixed. They attract some buyers by adding storage and character and repel others by limiting their ability to use the home as they wish.
Most sources currently say they add about 50% to 60% of their cost to the eventual selling price, so you’re not likely to make all your investment back once you sell.
