Buying Built-In Cabinets
Built-in cabinets can be a functional design feature to buy and install in any room in your home. Whether you need extra space to store books in the home office, electronics in the living room, dishes in the kitchen or blankets in the bedroom, buying built-in cabinets means deciding what kind of look you are going for and evaluating your options. You can install small, hip built-ins such as single colorful cabinets yourself, or commission stunning custom built-ins that cover the walls of entire rooms. Decide how much space you need and determine your budget then pick the options that are right for you.
Types of Built-In Cabinets
You can find cool built-in cabinets that are pre-finished in any style, size, color or price range. Consider bright, glossy acrylics, stainless steel, and natural hardwood, painted or faux finished versions. Explore the options in high-end cabinet showrooms, moderately priced home decorating outlets and even discount stores.
Locations for Built-In Cabinets
The type of built-in cabinets you will buy will depend on where you want to put them. Install built-ins in the kitchen to house any objects that you do not want to showcase, from baskets of onions, to dishes, to waffle irons; the home office, for hiding printer paper and files; the bedroom, for housing extra sheeting and a flat-screen television; or the garage, to keep unsightly collections of cleaning supplies and garbage bags out of sight. You may want to add one long, single row of cabinets along one side of a wide hallway for extra storage; use the top of the cabinets to display framed photos from your travels, or your collection of decorative beer steins.
Custom Designs
If you have a large collection of objects that are not standard sizes, such as guitar amplifiers, trumpet cases and a didgeridoo, you may want to build custom cabinetry, or commission someone to do this for you. If this option is out of your price range, build your own cabinetry using modular units. Home renovation outlets often offer a wide range of modular options, that allow you to mix and match cabinets with features such as open shelving, hook units and rods for hangers. To buy modular built-in cabinets, take precise measurements of your space and of the objects you need to house, and make a sketch indicating exactly what you need. Bring this with you to the home renovation outlet and consult with a salesperson about how to assemble a unit that meets your needs.
Kitchen Designs
When you are buying built-in cabinets for your kitchen, don't limit yourself to covering every inch of the wall with them just because you need the storage. Combine built-ins on the ground that contain counters on top with open shelving above, circular pot racks and empty spaces on the wall that you can fill with large artworks, a calendar or a bulletin or chalkboard. While built-in cabinets are very convenient, filling a whole kitchen with them can feel claustrophobic. Select a style you love and use it in moderation for functional, stylish results.
