Hi, I apologize as this is a bit off topic for the kitchen forum. However, who knows cabinetry design better than Kitchen design fans? We are a family heavy on storage as I am a Kindergarten teacher and probably own more than 50 banker boxes of kindergarten teaching supplies (no I'm not kidding). We also are a family of six, and as you know storage increases for each person. We are trying to integrate storage into our basement layout design, and wonder if you have any design suggestions to optimize storage. Also you will see a small kitchenette/bar that the teenagers will use to snack and entertain. We are limited as to where plumbing can go so this must stay where we show it, or move to the area marked rough-in for future kitchen. I don't want to break the bank on these built ins so I welcome any cost savings ideas you may have. I still want this room to look attractive so don't want too much open storage. Perhaps I would consider using some Ikea components, as long as they were sturdy enough. At the bottom of this post is a link for an inspiration photo of built-ins around basement windows (see third image on the link with the closed cupboards). I also don't want to cover up any of our basement windows. Here is the basement layout we showing the area for built-ins and the kitchenette. I apologize, but for some reason I can't upload a large version. However, if you click on the image you will be directed to my photobucket where you can zoom in. TIA! Carol This post was edited by OntarioMom on Mon, Feb 18, 13 at 21:53

Hello, Suzanne, I Design cabinetry and renovations, therefore my advice would be to paint leave the wall color the same as the rest of the room, paint your built-ins white. Do not go all the way up the fireplace wall with white paint or millwork if you plan on stopping at an 8 foot height and there is ample space left above it. You've shared an elevation drawing and that's how I would keep it just so that the focal point will remain on the center which will be the highest point. My suggestions are based on the images of the space you have provided and the mention of the new light fixture you will be adding. I feel that painting the triangles above the built-ins will take away from the beauty of your cathedral ceilings. I hope this helps. Good luck!

Here is the room before construction: the area I am working on now is on the left side of the fireplace you see pictured here. There is now a wall there now and so we are trying to put a built-in there. It doesn't need to match the right but it is better if it complements and considers the right. It is meant to help us store books as we have a lot and no other real bookcase in a pretty large house. your original solution is nice but the wall as built doesn't quite angle as the image you have. That was our original plan but a beam/hvac location has changed possibilities. So the wall on left which angles and has the exit out of the room eventually at the end is not able to achieve what we expected. So i'm trying to get ideas on the best type of bookcase to put on the wall on the left. I think it should complement but doesn't need to mimick the right. We have some unused portions as you noted as well. Here is the shape of the room in full though the angles on left of fireplace are slightly different as built. I do not care about matching the angle on the other side of the doorway. That is not necessary. I just want to make a bookshelf which is useful and attractive in the room and considers the oddities. At this late stage in the construction and renovation which started in april. we will not be moving any more walls. the new wainscotting and soffit are in place and I think we need to work with the angle we have but make the best built-in there.

There are many ways to do it, and many dimesions you could do. (please tell me you're nixxing that ceiling fan? besides being far too small, it's really sad looking) get out the measuring tape and tape off the diff depths. here are a few shots from the side so you get an idea of how deep a few of these are all of these in white can be done w/the oak. I like this one w/the zellige tile on the fireplace surround. This one is a bit deeper. Prob closer to 18-20" the shelves about 10 or so. I like the more modern board and batten trim work above the oak mantle, and the solid stone surround. are you doing a TV in here? you have plenty of room to do something like this if you do I did a quick photoshop of one, but man, you have a lot of space. can you incorporate you desk area into this? if you like something like this, here's a lin w/how they did it. https://plankandpillow.com/designing-our-living-room-finishes-built-ins-fireplace-and-beams/