One explanation is that buyers want the option of placing chests or other furniture by the fireplace. Another explanation could be that buyers do want bookshelves but not the way the builder does it. That’s what happened when we were building — I examined the type of built ins the builder was putting in and found them to be inferior. A year or two later, I had a custom carpenter build my bookcases for that same area.

I don't think built ins were ever or will ever be passe. Of course it depends on the style of the home. I can see people opting out of them if the room is small and they need the space for seating. I prefer closed bottoms and open shelf uppers.

A nicely done built-in can really enhance a room. I think there is a trend away from very fussy molding and gigantic great room built-ins.

Found these nice examples in Houzz photos. The ones I liked best were in cozy rooms.

Perhaps they are opting out and getting free-standing instead, if they think they might move in a few years. I think built-ins on either side are a classic and can really give focus to a room.

Forget about what is in style and do what you like/what works for your use of the space. I see many built-ins that are incorporating the tv off to one side so that it doesn't have to be above the fireplace. Many on this board will tell you a tv over the fireplace is a design no-no and a neck-pain-waiting-to-happen because they end up being too high for comfortable viewing. Here are some built in's with TV off to the side:

Traditional Family Room · More Info

Southern Living Photos · More Info

Media Unit 002890 · More Info

If you want to avoid built-ins other options include windows or blank walls to place furniture:

Elk Mountain Scenic Hwy · More Info

Farmhouse Living Room · More Info

Texas Southern Living Showcase Home · More Info

Greatroom · More Info

I did them in my library and I just love it. It's my favorite room in our house. When we were building the "r" word was verboten "resale". We were doing what WE loved, not building a house for some future unknown purchaser. Perhaps people are opting out because good quality custom built-ins ain't cheap and they would prefer to put their $$ elsewhere.

is not "passe" much better than clutter the home with a lot of small tables consoles and other small stupid furniture

I’ve had custom built ins done in all three of the homes I’ve lived in, it was a selling point for the buyers in the last two. If done correctly they can be an asset. IF you have to resell at some point they can always be removed by the new owners if they don’t want them. I love them.

I'm a fan if built-ins in certain rooms. A library, family rooms, and smaller nook areas. But I don't generally like them in open floor concept homes, unless it's a very contemporary space like in the last pic that Songbird posted above.

I disagree with your builder! I love modern interiors and clean lines, etc and LOVE built-ins. I don't believe we'll ever see this as a passing or dated trend. In anything, I feel like I'm seeing a revitalization of built-ins with good craftsmanship and design, similar to what was once "standard" in 1920's bungalows.

It is very possible, even likely, that the buyers are not opting out of built-in's but opting out of having the builder do the built-ins. Built-in's can be done after you close and you will get a much better job than having the builder do them. I suspect that the builder has priced the limited options for built-in's very high to discourage that option. It is common practice from what I see.

Yes! to Denita's statement above.

Are you positive the guy was being totally honest with you?

Such claims remind me of a car salesman who told hubby & me that carmakers weren't really making hatchbacks any more. This was after we had independently looked @ several on their lot! Of course we didn't mention that to him and he lost any chance of a sale.

Also wondering if cost might be a factor in opting out of built-ins...?

We will be forgoing the built-ins on either side of our fireplace initially as well. We just can't decide what to do there (don't really want just a bunch of shelves over base cabinets). Once we move in I'm sure we'll do something with those spaces but we can fill them with furniture in the meantime.

^This too. Excellent reason for holding off on built-in's. Also, who wants to pay all the OH and profit to the builder on an item that can easily be done after the closing?

People who have books (especially those who have lots of books) will always like built-ins.

Others, like me, like built ins for a variety of reasons other than book storage ( I donate the books I’ve read ). I like built ins for aesthetic & practical reasons.

I love well done ones. Wish I had a fp and built-ins.

I like cabinets that are 30- 36” high on either side of a fireplace so that a Tvcan be mounted on the wall above one and art above the other. IMO unless you have some awesome pieces to need display all the clutter on the shelves just makes it look busy

We are doing built-ins around our FP. The mantle will be low and the TV will be mounted above the FP. On one side we will have a bar (hopefully wet) and the other side will be a area that can be closed up that my DH will use as a fly tying desk.

This is what we are working with:

These are some inspiration pic we showed to the cabinet maker:

Living Room Home office · More Info

Transitional Living Room · More Info

Living Room · More Info

48 Mag Blossom · More Info

I think some of this can be attributed to many homeowner's desire to get away from the "just because" decorative feature. If you don't have a strong idea of what you'll fill them with, what you see is a whole bunch of empty shelves to fill. I've seen too many of these spaces filled with junk, just to feel like it's "decorated".

Some of this might also be due to the minimalist design focus that some homeowners are after. A lot of "stuff", even artfully placed, doesn't necessarily lend itself to that.

A curveball? Built-ins used to function as media centers to house equipment, and as book shelves. Technology takes out the need for large media spaces, and fewer and fewer people have a ton of books. Maybe a big ol' Kindle collection, but fewer books.

Finally, I have no idea- if a person wanted them- why you'd wait until house was finished to have a carpenter build and install. Why wait until your flooring is in, all drywall and painting is finished? Why wait until you get to live with construction? And no- in my area, after work isn't even close to being less expensive than doing it during construction, due to all of that.