Project Profile: Built-In Shelving
Built-in shelving comes in all shapes and sizes - and I love them all. Built-ins have a polished, tailored appearance because they’re integrated into the architecture. They are also constructed with higher-quality materials and workmanship than most freestanding storage. The only downside is that some of them are made with shelves that are not adjustable, so the purpose they serve can be limited. But the right organizing solutions can make all the difference! Below are a few built in's I have organized for clients, some of which our team helped to custom design.
Custom Built-In Bookshelves
These built in's were intended to hold all the books of our clients daughter. They were custom designed with large drawers below to act as her dresser. This girl loves to read so we wanted her books to be a focal point! The goal was to make it clean and aesthetically pleasing. I sorted the books by color, then staggered them on the book shelves next to small groupings of her knickknacks to create visual balance. My visual merchandising background kicked into high gear with these shelves! I used these bookends to keep the books upright. Pro tip: If you put the book end inside the cover of the last book, it is virtually invisible!
Arts & Crafts Built-In
These were located in a basement playroom. I loved how deep they were, but all the small arts & crafts were getting lost in the back. I solved this problem by installing pull out drawers with dividers like these directly onto the lower shelves, and using deep bins with wheels (like these) on the top shelf. This maximized the depth while keeping everything contained and sorted by craft type. A lot of built-in storage is versatile but not very functional without the right products. Using rolling or sliding bins as drawers is a great solution for any deep cabinet to make it more functional!
Entryway Built-In
This front entryway built-in needed to serve as a command center and an extension of the coat closet. I adjusted the heights of the shelves to allow for a desk like surface that would hold mail and outgoing items. I used these bins to hold outdoor accessories for everyone in the family. I chose these plastic bins because this household had 2 young kiddos who wanted their chalk and bubbles stored here. Choosing plastic is very functional - in this case, they could be very easily cleaned and the items in the bins can be adjusted as the kids age.
Custom Built-In Pantry Storage
This was another custom build! This foodie family needed more pantry storage, so we worked with a carpenter to design them some dreamy bonus kitchen cabinets. The builder was able to perfectly match their existing cabinetry to allow this pantry to be a seamless addition. We used glide-out drawers to take full advantage of the depth of the cabinet while also ensuring that every item can be easily accessed!
Organizing into built-in's takes time, some serious editing, and more trial-and-error than you expect. The result is a space that feels calm and intentional. If you’re thinking about organizing your built-ins (or getting them designed), my advice is simple: start with less, make it personal, and don’t be afraid to leave a little empty space. Sometimes, that’s where the magic is.
