Ask Angi: Are Built-In Fixtures Right for Me?

A reading nook offers many options for customization. Danny Raustadt/Dreamstime/TNS

By Paul F. P. Pogue From Ask Angi

Nothing quite makes a home distinctively your own like built-in storage and features.

Whether you’re installing bookshelves, a wall-mounted Murphy bed or full-on built-in furniture, you set your mark on your home with high-quality built-ins. The tradeoff here is that they’re pretty hard to get rid of, so make sure you know what you want getting into it!

Here’s a rundown of some of the most common built-in options in the home.

Murphy Beds

Average cost: $1,000–$7,500

Here’s a space-saving classic that’s been around since the early 20th century. If you’ve seen enough old films or TV, you’re probably familiar with the bed that simply folds up into the wall to save space. Generally speaking, a Murphy bed won’t be your main bed, but it’s a very effective way to save space and add function to a guest bedroom, or turn an office or craft room into a multifunctional space. And if you live in a tiny home or studio apartment, they can add valuable square footage to your usable space.

The downsides of Murphy beds include cost, safety and convenience. They tend to cost more than the average bed and often need to be installed by a professional, and a bed runs a risk of opening by accident and possibly causing damage. Likewise, they can pose a challenge to putting away smoothly. However, in recent years, Murphy beds made with advanced methods and lighter materials minimize this problem.

Built-in Kitchen Cabinets

Average cost: $450 per linear foot

Custom-built kitchen cabinets can help you maximize your space while providing storage to your exact specifications. This is particularly handy in oddly shaped kitchens, but built-in cabinets can make a great addition to any kitchen. The biggest downside of built-in cabinets is their cost; you pay much more for them than semi-custom or stock cabinets. However, they’re a popular feature in many homes, and the additional storage can make them attractive to a buyer in the event you sell. Talk to local kitchen pros for insight.

Built-In Bookshelves

Average cost: $100–$1,200 per linear foot

Bookshelves remain among the most common built-in options, for a number of reasons. Shelves tend to go up against the wall anyway, and building them in makes them more stable and saves space. (It increases safety, too, by minimizing the risk of tip-over if a child tries to climb them.)

In addition, built-in bookshelves create the chance for a truly unique project. You can install shelves in the sides of stairs, under or around reading nooks, right next to your bed or wherever is most convenient for you.

Built-in Custom Furniture

Cost: Varies by project

To really place your own stamp on your home, you can install built-in furniture that saves space and adds a permanent feature to the home. Reading nooks in windows are common, as are fixed breakfast nooks. Such furniture allows you to save room and customize your space. However, keep in mind that this is a literal commitment of some note; you can’t easily undo this furniture once it’s installed, so be sure you’ve built what you want.

The biggest downside: You can’t take it with you when you go! Like it or not, that furniture stays with the house.

Tweet your home care questions with #AskingAngi and we’ll try to answer them in a future column. Copyright 2024 Ask Angi. Visit at angi.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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