Built-in corner cabinets in dining room or dining area

14 years ago

We have an older home and our LR/DR includes two built-in corner cabinets with a solid door on the bottom and a glass door on the top.

If you have those or have seen them in someone else's house, do you think they look best when they are painted the same color as the trim or a different color matching another element in the room?

Or, if the kitchen is very close to the dining area, does that make more sense to have them the same color as the kitchen cabinets?

Comments (6)

suero
14 years ago
I think corner cabinets look best painted the wall color, but in gloss, not matte, finish.
yborgal
14 years ago
I like them painted the same as the trim work, but with the interior painted in either the wall color or in an accent color that will showcase the contents of the upper part.
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I agree the best placement is the wall with the blue artwork and high windows. You could incorporate the windows into the mill work of whatever built-in style you decide to go with. If you want to have a shallow counter area and not just tower cabinets and shelving, I highly recommend going with some sort of granite or stone on the counter area (like in first inspiration pic) if you will use it as a buffet area to serve food or beverages from. Painted wood will not hold us as well, for food service. Do you plan to keep that same table? I think you should move it forward more, so it's centered in front of the wall with the bookcase, leaving a clear path from the doorway.You may also consider relocating the bookcase to another spot in your home once you add the built-ins. The walls will look too closed in with furnishings on both walls. If you look at both of your inspiration photos, the built-ins are the only 'furniture' aside from the dining table, in the room which makes the space look larger and more open.
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@Olychick...I was going to do a sideboard, but theres not that much space width wise, it would have to be a narrow one about 12" depth and with sliding doors, no space to open doors. Thats why the cabinets are also small and only 12" in depth shelves too. I can think of putting bookshelves or open shelving in between the two, as they would be narrower. I dont think the doors should be a problem, I can get them switched so they are mirror images. The mirror was there, on that other wall, but it was seemed too small for the space. @athomeeileen...I actually liked the unusual half wood/half glass :) @leelee...yes they are attached to the wall, so not freestanding cabinets. Cooks.
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Lovely space. I'd fill those cabs sparsely, just because I don't like my good china on display in the dining room. So for me, a few books stacked flat, small sculpture, a beautiful bowl, a painting that no one needs to look at much (or closely), some vases might lurk behind the glass. One fabulous tureen that never gets used....umm,guess you can tell I'm typing and looking at my corner cabs at the same time! Some one else might feature a prized collection of most anything. Legos to monsters. I recall a picture where someone featured her handbags. Basically,all the ideas you might put on open shelves will work here,too. As would papering or painting the backs of the cabs. Guess the point is to keep it authentically YOU. And as others have mentioned,no need to rush. Also: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/photo-flip-85-window-seats-for-whiling-away-the-day-stsetivw-vs~61150399
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some plants would be nice. could you put an eye hook in the ceiling and do a type of hanging Pothos in the corner? you have some beautiful light, I'd have a bunch of orchids and african violets! then just bring in few items this glass vase w/blossoms would look nice. you need something w/a little height. that's why I mentioned doing the hanging plant off to one side this one is almost identical to yours, but painted
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mimi_2006
14 years ago
I have built-ins in my dining room. They are not corner cabinets but are built along the end wall. Mine are next to my kitchen but I chose to paint them the trim color (not kitchen cabinet color), in a semi-gloss finish just like the trim. I think that would be look good also for a couple of corner cabinets. I also think an accent color from another element could look good. It would make them look more like a separate piece of furniture. I don't think I'd care to paint them the same as the wall color. I'd want to accentuate them rather than have them just blend.
palimpsest
14 years ago
I think either trim color or a version of the wall color can be good, and the inside accent color is a nice detail. It depends on what you store in it. I have picked a color based on the china if that is what is mostly in there.

I don't generally care for them painted the same as the kitchen cabinets in a traditional setting...it feels like the kitchen is encroaching on the dining room then. (Unless the kitchen cabinets are the same color as the rest of the woodwork or trim) IYKWIM
yborgal
14 years ago
mimi, your built-ins are gorgeous. I'm so jealous; I wish I had them.
mimi_2006
14 years ago
annab6...I was looking at corner cabinets after reading this thread. Are yours flush with the wall? I found an example of one that looks like what you might find in an old house. (See link) It's sort of a black and white rendition but looks like it's treated like the trim. I love built-ins and I love corner cabinets so your thread got me looking at them :-)

Thanks monablair :-) I think my builder thought I was nuts when I said I wanted cabinets the whole width of the room. He kept saying SHOW me what you want so DH and I drew these one night on a napkin when eating and talking about it at Chili's...lol. We still laugh about our napkin drawing I handed the builder.

Here is a link that might be useful: Corner Cabinet

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Built-in corner cabinets in dining room or dining area

Comments (6)

suero

yborgal

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