Need help with built-in bookcases with bench in between
In my small study, I want to put in tall bookcases on either side of the window and have a bench along the entire window/between the book cases. Further, I would like the bench to have storage, specifically serve as my filing cabinet (so hold all my files). However, there is an HVAC floor vent where the bench would go. I can't relocate the vent....
Here is a sample inspiration photo of what I'm picturing (not exact, but similar):
This is what I have to work with/my actual room:
1. To the right of the window: 28 7/8'' wide between window trim/wall
2. To the left of the window: 28 3/4'' wide between window trim/wall
3. The distance the bench would be: (The entire width span of the window trim): 67 1/4''
4. Distance from the floor to the bottom of the window trim: 21 3/16''
5. Floor vent is 11.5'' long x 5.5'' wide. It begins approximately 31'' to the right of the window trim/darker bookcase.
6. Distance from floor to the very top of window trim: 90 1/2'' (have 9ft ceilings)
Picture of how room looks now & floor vent to help visualize (sorry for the mess!)
The plan I have come up with is the following: (based on the fact I have a very limited budget and need to do a DIY):
1. I'd remove shoemold and baseboards where bookcases would go. I'd "hack/modify"/ use 1 Ikea Brusali bookcase on each side of the window (each bookcase having dimensions: Width: 26 3/8 "; Depth: 13 "; Height: 74 3/4 "). It's not as wide as the wall - so I'd fill in leftover spaces with filler trim. I'd also build it up slightly from the bottom so baseboards look continuous and it makes them look "built-in". I"d also consider ordering a 3rd bookcase to cut from to add extra height on each side - ending either where the top window trim ends, or go up to the ceiling. I"d also want to add some type of crown molding at the top of the bookcase.
2. My idea of how the bench would store files:
If the bookcase was ~13'' deep, I'd probably want the bench ~18'' deep.
3. Because of the HVAC floor vent, I'd build the bench with legs and put a deflector on the HVAC vent (such as the one below, or something similar):
Thus, the bottom of the bench would start just above the deflector (& no baseboard/shoe mold would be along the bench (it'd be open under it); bench would not look "built-in" persay, but would fit the width perfectly between the book shelves).
Based on the above plan - any foreseeable issues, problems I haven't thought of? How doable is this? Is there an easier way to go about doing this? (that is not going to considerably raise the cost)? how high can i build the bench for the bottom of it to be above the deflector and for it to not look silly?
Would you have bookcase stop at the top of the window trim or go all the way to the ceiling?
Thanks in advance!
Comments (29)
laughablemoments
7 years ago
kbear_15
7 years agoRelated Discussions
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Comments (7)Your husband did a great job on the bookcases. I think I would try gel stain on them rather than paint. I like paint but only if you are doing a color like cream or white. If the gel stain does not work out then you can go to paint, but please try a gel stain first. I would keep the closet doors white like your trim in room....See MoreHelp with table size for L-shape built in bench
Comments (0)Hi everyone, I am looking for a glass table for an L-shaped built in bench. The bench measurement is 72" long and 42" wide. My hubby seems to think that we need a table top with those same dimensions for the space (with a pedestal base). I actually found a nice looking glass table top table with an X- shaped base with the exact same measurements! But is the size correct? I have no idea as to what the formula is for table sizes. Hubby seems to think that it will look funny if table is not fit precisely in the space. Please help. Thanks so much!...See MoreNeed ideas for built in bookcases on a budget
Comments (20)Sometimes you just have to be creative and think outside of the box in order to get the look that you really want. Sure the billy bookcases are a bit shallow, but they aren't the only book cases available at Ikea and Ikea will give you the best bang for your buck. ALL of these built ins are IKEA, all the diyer did was add trim and mouldings to the fronts to cover the seams. Some are modern in style, others more traditional but the billies aren't just "bookcases", they come with a lot of options, like glass doors. Several of these actually look like they were professionally done....See MoreWhitewashing a fireplace that is next to a built-in oak bookcase
Comments (8)Oh, that looks lovely but unfortunately a bench is out since there is not enough width between the wall and a window for it to make sense (you can see the edge of the curtain in my picture above). It's also a difficult living room for furniture arrangement since there are two double width door openings, one from the hall then one from the dining room with sliding pocket doors. The third wall has the fireplace and built in bookcase and the fourth is almost all window (but no direct light unfortunately). The idea of a second bookcase, I agree, would add more symmetry to that wall but I'm imagining it will be on the expensive side and we're trying to keep this low budget (hence the idea to whitewash). If I understand correctly, you feel we can't whitewash without painting the bookcase and mantel and even then you feel we would need to add something (bookcase or bench) to the opposite side of the fireplace. One other idea we had was to leave the fireplace unpainted but add an oak board that we would stain the same color as the mantel to cover up the top three rows of bricks (including the vertical ones that stick out) making it less busy. I worry that even doing that, it won't be enough. Finally, what about adding a surround in wood? I'm supposing if we do that we would have to paint the mantel and bookcase a similar color, correct? And there would still be the problem of symmetry. I should mention that there is a lot of oak mouldings throughout the house. Some of these we have painted already as they were just too dark and with over 100 years of soot and dirt were going to be too difficult to clean. We did leave the mouldings of several of the doorframes and the pocket doors to the dining room in the natural oak. There are two built in oak china cabinets in the dining room which is why we were trying to preserve the oak bookcase. But the more I see pictures of painted bookcases, the more I'm tempted to paint ours. Here is something quite similar to ours. What do you think?...See Morekbear_15
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agokbear_15
7 years ago
clt3
7 years agokbear_15
7 years ago
rebeccamomof123
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoMy built ins with window seat is in my kitchen, but it's essentially the same concept. I'd suggest going with drawers instead of over the top bench storage to prevent having to remove bench seat and cushions every time you want to access files. Also, ours has a vent built in to the toe kick, so I'm sure it's possible. The drawers are huge - I am able to store my crock pot, roasting pan, and oversized platters, so I'm sure you'll find plenty of space for files.
amberm145
7 years agokbear_15
7 years agokbear_15
7 years agoUser
7 years agoWe have something similar in our guest room -- built for our DD to keep her books in and things in the cabinets. I WISH we had done drawers in the window seat instead of a top that you lift up -- you have to take EVERYTHING off to access what is in there -- it is a pain. Ours go to the ceiling and are only half because of the cabinets underneath. Two views:
clt3
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agokbear_15
7 years agolaughablemoments
7 years agokbear_15
7 years agokbear_15
7 years agokbear_15
7 years agokbear_15
7 years agolaughablemoments
7 years agoUser
7 years ago
daisychain Zn3b
7 years agokbear_15
7 years agodaisychain Zn3b
7 years ago
clt3