Built ins?? Storage solutions / design tools / your ideas
Hi all - crowd sourcing all of your expertise and experience on built-ins. I'm overwhelmed looking through pictures.
I have a number of rooms in my house that are in dire need of storage.
1. Family room - looking at some sort of built ins - also has to function as media center / mudroom (closet on right is for coats and shoes, we use this entry door a lot) / some toy/art supply storage. Would love drawers. And maybe a spot for an electric wall mount fire place but will prioritize storage over that as we rarely use the one in the picture (and never for heat) Space is 134" w x 9ft h x 25" d.
2. Basement
two walls begging to be filled ( getting rid of the shelves and cabinets ~circa 1980s Singapore, and replacing couches ). Not sure about furniture placement yet, it's a blank slate so don't care at this point. Want a space for a tv (maybe even screen/projector) couch on other wall. Picturing long stretch of cabinets with a counter top and maybe a beverage fridge.
approx 16' w x 23' L
let me know what advice or ideas you have.
Also interested in any storage design tools you have come across. I have a consult with Ikea tomorrow to see what that's like but would prefer custom built.
Comments (15)
2 years agoFor the family room, I'd consider a Besta product from Ikea - pretty well made, and you can choose the pieces that would work the best in your space
Re: the basement - please decide what your needs are (for ex, is it a yes or no to the screen/projector and beverage fridge), let us know your budget, and provide a diagram with dimensions.- 2 years ago
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Comments (14)Interesting..... I had this vision in my mind to do the cabinets in a dark cherry to tie in with the bedroom and bathroom for over a year now. It was only yesterday that the designer suggested white and I immediately dismissed it, yet since then, the idea has been growing in my mind. There is a lot of white trim throughout the house with the doors and molding plus the blinds there now are also white so it is really not adding another woodtone look. I could see myself making it less stuffy too with a fabric valance on the bay windows. The other advantage is that it is less expensive and it puts the third designer we met with (who will work through Costco and most likely the less expensive of the three--we get a $10 cash card at Costco for every $100 we spend, plus we pay through Costco and it counts for our EOY rebates). I am just going to sit with this idea in my mind for a few days as it is a big shift in my thinking for this room, but this type of input is so impt. for me. I will call the other two and tell them to quote in both the african walnut and white, but as of today, I'm leaning towards the white myself for a more airy, less stuffy look. It is very hard to visualize how very small this is. It is only 8'9" (including the 3' bay bumpout) x 10' (including the step). Doing any type of cabinetry on the north wall would block the entryway. We wanted the desks to face out into a window so we have a view of our backyard while working. That way the blinds can be open yet no glare on a monitor. The desk locations are really fixed as all wiring and lighting has already been done with that in mind. funkart: You brought up some very good points. We are working with closet companies for now that have all the insides for offices and do the wire management so it's not fully custom without an upcharge. So choices really are either 20"D or 24"D cabs but the countertop will have an overhang of 1-1/2". Yes, my kids (3 of them) do use it occasionally though DS has his own laptop, older DD we are in process of buying a laptop for her and my 7-year-old will probably start using it more and more--just the computer. Everyone (all 5) will use the printer (networked) and we may add a second one for laser printing (either here or in DS's room who has greatest need right now), but the narrower depth should still accomodate that. The narrow depth will definitely make it easier to reach over and open the windows. DH wants 20" and I'm leaning towards that as well. I actually want to cut down on the desktop clutter so I'd say more impt. is having enough storage to put it all out of sight--that alone I think will have the biggest impact. I guess things get lost in the back of drawers/cabs. anyway. The uppers will probably be 14" deep, though only one upper. The one tall cab could be something different--could even be 24"D and desk cabs 20"... I'm still trying to figure out the size of the cab since the wire we put in for the plug mold is right smack in the middle where we would do two equal sized cabs and I'm not sure how much it can be move--so the tall cab may end up being larger--closer to 36" and we also need some filler of the left to accomodate the drawer clearance. I'm still debating putting an upper on the west wall or just leaving a bare wall as I don't want to feel closed in, though I'd really like some overhead paper trays over the printer to load it up. Today I'm going to head out to 2 of the showrooms and will visit the third tomorrow. Hopefully I'll have a clearer idea then. It took me 6 mos. to design my kitchen (time well spent) though I'm hoping to do this one in much less time as we are so sick and frustrated with dealing with it as it is.......See MoreTell me about your favorite cabinet insert or storage solution
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- 2 years ago
- 2 years ago
My first thought for the family room is something like this:
Dana Point · More Info
A fireplace/TV in the middle and a bookshelf arrangement on either side. My 2nd thought is more of a reading nook look for extra storage:
The Tara · More InfoThis wouldn't allow for a fireplace in that particular area, but if storage is more what you need then a pantry type space with shelving and storage for kid's things as well as coats etc. might be what is best. I would consult with a designer and look through Houzz pics (as the above are) to see what sparks your interest.
- 2 years ago
- PRO2 years ago
- 2 years agolast modified: 2 years ago
We used Besta cabinets from IKEA 10 years ago and they are still in good shape. If you want an electric fireplace you could put it in the center and hang the TV above it. Our center cabinets hold the sound system components. You will notice a slot in one of the units--my husband cut it out of the door (after ordering a 12" paper slot grommet). The infrared receiver sits in the slot. The glass units are all lit with LED pucks from IKEA. We "floated" the cabinets off of the floor for a more contemporary look.
- 2 years ago
Thanks all! @mcarroll16 - here are some additional pictures. It's a very high traffic area. We use the back door to the garage as main entry/exit.. so the storage needs to be super functional. Plus it's the area we end up spending the most time in - kitchen and main TV watching area. I like the look of built in shelving but not sure i can give up the space for the aesthetics of that over more closed storage. But open to opinions. The other option is we do a large reno on the basement and make that another more functional living /tv watching space.
the carpeted area is approx 112" x 115". I've considered turning the couch to face the other wall and mount the TV where the picture is, but i fear it would feel too squished.
I am also likely going to replace the kitchen counter tops and lower the breakfast bar to make it a large island with counter height stools.
PRO2 years ago- 2 years ago
- 2 years ago
Here's something inexpensive--bookshelves/cobbies-efor the next few years while your kids are young and need a semi-open arrangement to stash toys, mitten, shoes and be reasonably organized. Get attractive baskets for all those items kids need to corral.
Living Room Media Bookcase · More Info
Or a couple of these streamlined storage units side by side to fill the wall all the way across with bins inside for kids' items.
Tvilum Hayward 71" TV Stand in White · More InfoCombo of cabinet and bins:
Denver Country Club Home · More Info
kmsimpson2000