I consider built-in furniture to be high risk but high reward. The risk; it can be a large investment and commitment, but when done correctly the rewards are so high - in terms of aesthetics, storage, and cohesion.

If you’re considering whether to go with built-in or freestanding furniture, here are a few points to ponder.

*Built-in dressing table, featured on* *LivingETC*

Flexibility

The first, and probably the most obvious comparison to make is the flexibility that comes with both options. Free-standing furniture can be moved, adapted, repurposed, and upcycled over time so that it can grow with you as your needs change over the years.

Built-in furniture obviously doesn’t offer the same flexibility, and is much more of a commitment. Once you’ve installed some custom cabinetry it’s very difficult to remove without causing damage (as well as obviously a waste of money!)

This is why it’s important to carefully consider and plan built-in furniture so that it will stand the test of time.

*Built-in media wall, featured on* *LivingETC*

Maximise storage

*Clever storage from,* *@inspiredbycharm*

Built-in furniture can be completely customised to whatever it is that you’re storing. If you plan properly, you can design your built-in to perfectly house whatever it is you need to store, utilising every last bit of usable space.

Although shop-bought furniture is catching up (Ikea Pax, Tylko), freestanding furniture offers less customisable storage space, aside from perhaps being able to move internal shelves up and down.

*Ikea Pax* *is a good compromise between built-in and bespoke.*

Awkward spaces

*Beautiful built-in wardrobe and desk, by* *Banks Carpentry*

The classic example of the built-in use-case is the loft conversion. Slanted ceilings and awkward shaped corners leads to unusable space which most standard height furniture doesn’t fit into.

Having an interior designer or carpenter design a bespoke piece of furniture to fit the area, maximises the space you have without having to compromise on storage. The result is a cohesive piece of custom furniture which blends perfectly into the space.

Aesthetics

*Built in alcove shelves, from* *@ourneutralground*

This one comes down to personal taste. I have clients that hate built-ins and have immediately ripped them out of their new homes, and others who consider their built-in cabinetry to be their favourite part of their home.

Whether or not you go for built-in or freestanding might be influenced by the interior design style that you like. For example, freestanding furniture like the classics from Ercol and GPlan sits in beautifully with the mid-century modern design style, whereas built-ins complement a more traditional design.

Built-in cabinetry creates a more cohesive and seamless look; complementing any architectural details you might have in your home. Cabinets and shelves can instantly create a gorgeous focal point when added to the alcoves next to a fireplace.

I find that a mix of bespoke built-ins and freestanding furniture creates a timeless design.

*A combination of built-in shelves an freestanding mid-century furniture, from* *@theaccountantandroofer*

Resale value of your home

I would think twice on investing in built-in furniture if you’re planning to sell your home in the near future. They might work perfectly for you and your needs but might not be ideal for your potential buyers.

The lack of flexibility that they offer might mean buyers have a hard time visualising themselves in your space, or see removing built-in storage as an additional challenge.

*What works for you might not be to the taste of potential buyers. Image from Pexels.*

Cost

Finally, and an important thing to consider, is the cost.

In most cases, built-in furniture will be more expensive as you’re paying for materials, expertise and labour. Although, there are great DIY alternatives (like DIY Alcove Cabinets) where the cabinets/wardrobes are supplied flat-packed to your specifications and then installed by you.

But, if you are on a budget or planning on moving soon, then buying free-standing furniture which you can take with you is probably the more suitable option.

If you’d like my help with your next project, check out my services to see how we can work together. If you’ve enjoyed this blog, don’t forget to subscribe below to receive my new post in your inbox every Sunday.