Architectural Details: Beautiful Built-Ins
Integrated Seating and Storage Creates Artful, Multifunctional Design
John Hill
June 27, 2011
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City. I have Bachelor of Architecture and Master in Urban Planning degrees, and over ten years experience in architectural practice, split between Chicago and NYC. Currently I'm focused on writing and online pursuits. My daily blog can be found at http://archidose.blogspot.com
Houzz Contributor. I am an architect and writer living in New York City. I have Bachelor... More
When building a new house or renovating an old one, an important consideration that may enter the picture, if the budget allows, is built-in furniture. Designed by the architect of the house itself or somebody else, these pieces can help create a more cohesive environment, a la the Arts and Crafts style and architects like Frank Lloyd Wright.
Built-ins can be found in many parts of the house, from custom bathtubs and kitchen cabinets to beds and dining tables. The following examples focus on living and family rooms, and they predominantly feature seating and storage. They show how built-in furniture can be integrated with the architecture, sometimes in seamless ways.
Built-ins can be found in many parts of the house, from custom bathtubs and kitchen cabinets to beds and dining tables. The following examples focus on living and family rooms, and they predominantly feature seating and storage. They show how built-in furniture can be integrated with the architecture, sometimes in seamless ways.
This corner of a living room in residence designed by Steven Ehrlich follows the corner window that helps define the space. A bench with side table takes advantage of the natural light spilling inside, and the bench cushions align with the base of the fireplace. The latter is fairly common, as later photos in this ideabook attest.
Another room in the residence designed by Ehrlich features built-in shelves cut into a wall below a clerestory window. Below is a built-in bench and additional storage behind wood doors. The level of care is consistent with the previous photo, but note that the character of the space is quite different, owing to the wall color and the way the built-ins are detailed.
Another built-in seating area can be found in this indoor-outdoor space dominated by a large half-globe pendant. The L-shaped bench with yellow cushions is aligned with a very unique fireplace. Just don't mistake the latter for a place to sit!
This pew-like (with angled back) bench seating extends for the whole length of an open living room, extending from the windows to...
...a fireplace adjacent to the kitchen. The fireplace is a transition between the stone bench and the kitchen's wood cabinets. As impressive as the kitchen cabinets are in their own right, the integrated bench and fireplace help tie the large loft-like space together.
Built-in shelves cover one wall of this family room from floor to ceiling. This vertical distance is divided into five sections, the top one of which is devoted to clerestory windows. While the owners don't appear to use these top shelves for display purposes, they could be a home for sculptures and other objects that would look good silhouetted against the light.
Again built-in shelves define one side of a living space where clerestories can be found, but these are split by a fireplace covered in gray tiles.
In this example floor-to-ceiling storage also defines one side of a space, but it also acts as a divider. This modern and minimal space is enlivened by the objects that the owners place on these shelves.
This built-in storage is well articulated: wood boxes, some with intermediate shelves, are suspended from black steel supports. In the background they act as a divider between the living room and stair, and the right foreground they continue towards the kitchen.
This low built-in bookcase looks straightforward at first glance, but it is quite clever. It actually forms one side of a well that brings light from the skylight to the floor below. The other side of the light well is defined by the gray wall, which is also one side of the stair (note the handrail protruding slightly beyond the gray wall).
These last few examples illustrate an apparent trend of integrating seating and/or storage with fireplaces. Here the gray stone base of the fireplace can also act as a bench in front of the built-in shelves. Note how the shelves continue to the left, framing window and door openings.
This fireplace features white ceramic tiles that blend into the ceiling, but a dark base that aligns with a wood bench next to it. Wood drawers at the floor take advantage of the space under the bench and fireplace base.
This last photo shows a built-in around a fireplace accommodating storage for firewood and seating for looking out the windows. It also shows how the detailing can respond to the architecture: the wood paneling aligns with the top of the window at left; the wood wraps the corner just like the same window, and a cutout in the corner at right allows for a small window opening adjacent to the seating.
Next: More inspiring architectural details
Next: More inspiring architectural details
Related Stories
Living Rooms
How to Decorate a Small Living Room
Arrange your compact living room to get the comfort, seating and style you need
Full Story
Decorating Guides
How to Get Your Furniture Arrangement Right
By Fred Albert
Follow these 10 basic layout rules for a polished, pulled-together look in any room
Full Story
Events
20 Furniture Trends to Watch for 2024
See subtle refreshes of enduring trends — plus fun design details — that stood out at the fall 2023 High Point Market
Full Story
Events
10 Fresh Furniture and Decor Trends for 2023
Greens and blues, art and artisanship, and mixed eras and textures fill the spring 2023 collections at High Point Market
Full Story
Living Rooms
How to Buy a Quality Sofa That Will Last
By Fred Albert
Learn about foam versus feathers, seat depth, springs, fabric and more for a couch that will work for years to come
Full Story
Kitchen Islands
6 Bar Stool Styles That Work in (Almost) Every Kitchen
Stick to these materials for your island seating and you won’t go wrong
Full Story
Decorating Guides
Your Essential Sofa Buying Guide
By Susan Redman
Here’s what to consider when looking for a quality sofa that will last
Full Story
Decorating Guides
8 Pieces of Furniture You’ll Keep Forever
By tidgboutique
If you’re just starting out in a new place, consider these furniture options you can take with you to any new home
Full Story
Decorating Guides
Should You Go Custom? Home Professionals Weigh In
Pros share 10 things to consider before deciding between tailor-made and ready-made features and furnishings
Full Story
Events
Scandinavian Modern Classics at Denmark’s 3 Days of Design
Midcentury modern furniture and lighting, and circular design, were showcased at the 2022 festival
Full Story
LOVE the architectural details