What on earth do you do with that weird space beneath the stairs? What about those two recesses next to the fireplace?
Our suggestion is to get custom built-in cabinets
Built-in cabinets are a mainstay in home design. Homeowners are always looking for clever ways to add more storage, hide away things like electronics, and create space for items that are used daily but are better left unseen.
Part of the appeal of built-in cabinetry is that it’s completely customizable. You can fit built-ins into any type of space and they can be tailored to your style. Since there are so many variables when it comes to built-in cabinets, we have created this guide to get you started.
What Makes a Cabinet ‘Built-In’?
Any element of your house that is designed as part of the structure is ‘built-in’. Many elements such as kitchen cabinets, fireplaces, and bathroom vanities are considered ‘built-in’.
Any element of your house that is unmovable and would stay in the house if you moved is probably a built-in feature. As opposed to things like kitchen appliances, which you could take with you.
A simple way to tell if it would count as a ‘built-in’ is whether it is screwed into the wall or not.
What Is the Cost Of Built-In Cabinets?
One of the first questions people have about built-in cabinets is “how much will it cost to get a built-in cabinet”? The short answer is, that it varies.
The longer answer is that there are several key factors that will change the cost of built-ins like the size of your built-in, the final design, and the materials you use to build. While you would need a quote from a contractor to get the exact price for your design, we can give you an average and elaborate on the elements that most affect your final cost.
The national average cost of built-in cabinets ranges from $1,000 to $5,000 for a single unit depending on the size and quality. Keeping that range in mind, here are the top 4 factors that affect the cost.
The 4 Biggest Reasons Built-In Cabinet Costs Vary
Construction
Built-in cabinets can be constructed in different ways, all will play a role in the overall cost of the project. There are many options to choose from custom-made cabinets, semi-custom cabinets, or ready-to-assemble cabinets.
As this will play the largest role in your final cost, we will break this down in detail later in this article, but, a little spoiler, the custom cabinets will cost the most, and then the cost will just go down from there.
Design
If you are looking for a very straightforward, functional design, then this is an area where you will save yourself a few dollars.
If, however, you are looking for a more ornate conversation piece, then you will need to be prepared to pay more for those elements.
Things such as trim, electrical elements, glass doors, etc will all add to the final cost.
Accessories
If you’ve ever dreamed of having a rolling library ladder or a fully functioning mini-bar, you will need to factor those accessories into the final cost of the project.
Details and accessories like these can turn a purely functional built-in into a work of art, so for many homeowners, they are well worth the additional cost.
Materials
Low-end materials such as MDF will come at a lower cost, whereas higher-end materials such as maple will add significantly to your project’s final price.
Here is an overview of the materials that are commonly used for built-ins and the cost for a single 4-foot by 8-foot sheet of that material at a home improvement store at the time of writing.
A typical built-in requires 2 or 3 of these sheets at ¾-inch thick, plus trim pieces, for construction.
- MDF, Medium Density Fiberboard $65
- Sanded Pine Plywood $79
- Red Oak $97
- Birch $97
- Maple $100
Construction: 3 Tiers of Built-In Cabinets
When it comes to getting built-in cabinets you have several options to choose from. The three best options for getting built-in cabinets are building an entirely custom cabinet, using ready-to-assemble cabinets, or a combination of the two.
Depending on your choice they will vary considerably in cost and the different choices will affect the look of the final design.
For the purpose of giving you price estimates, we will be looking specifically at the cost of fireplace built-ins.
Tier 1: Fully Custom Built-In Cabinets
Custom built-in cabinets are tailored to suit specific needs, spaces, and design preferences. Every part of the design and build aspect can be custom. If you have a hard-to-plan space, a unique idea, or you want a hands-on approach, then custom built-in cabinets may be a great fit for you.
For the average homeowner, built-in cabinets will be too much to DIY. They are typically going to be built and installed by professionals who ensure proper placement, fit, and workmanship.
This photo shows an entirely handmade, custom pair of built-in fireplace cabinets. Each cabinet is 8 feet tall, 5-½ feet wide, with handmade shiplap backer, crown molding, and stained accents. This project cost $8,900. Removing the additional upgrades of shiplap, stained accents, and crown molding would’ve brought this project down to $8,250.
Tier 2: Semi-Custom Built-In Cabinets
Choosing semi-custom built-in cabinets is kind of like having the best of both worlds. Homeowners looking for a custom built-in look but who want to save time and money may enjoy this option.
Semi-custom built-in cabinets are a mixture of pre-built cabinets and custom. By mixing and matching these two types of cabinets you can get that custom feel with a smaller price tag.
Assuming we use the same dimensions as above, with no additional upgrades, and were able to order pre-built, all-wood base cabinets (see picture immediately above) with drawers, the price would drop to $7,150.
It does seem counterintuitive that you can add drawers and get a lower price.
However, the trade-off is that the cabinets (the bottom sections) are 24-inches deep, no matter what. This works for some projects, but not all.
Tier 3: Ready To Assemble Cabinets (RTA)
Ready to Assemble cabinets, also called RTA Cabinets, are the types of cabinets that you can run into Home Depot or Lowe’s and just buy. They do not fit perfectly into your available space, but they will have a much lower price tag than anything custom.
For something like this, it’s usually best to go into the details of the project and materials to understand the price difference.
The above picture is a pair of Ikea, RTA bookcases. It is a particle board construction. Notice that the bottom units are 12-inches deep instead of 24.
Installation would look like a professional coming by to cut out baseboards or other things in the way, assembling the units, screwing them into place, and adding a few finishing trim pieces like scribe mold to cover the gaps between the units and the walls.
Building the units above as closely as possible with the 24-inch base units and shelves on top with all materials and labor, you’d be looking at $3,500.
Advantages of Built-In Furniture
Built-ins offer a tailored feel to any room that feels luxurious. If you are still on the fence about if built-ins are right for you and your home, here are ten reasons people love built-ins.
- They add character to your home.
- They create a functional, organized space.
- They transform unused areas into usable areas.
- They provide additional storage.
- They create visual appeal and easily hide away electronics.
- They can be used to display special items in a meaningful way.
- They add value to your home.
- They turn a boring room into one with a story.
- They can be used cleverly (perhaps you always wanted a hidden room, behind a custom built-in shelf).
- They maximize your space.
Where To Put Built-In Cabinets
Built-ins can be put in any (or all) rooms in your home.
Exploring your options for each room of your house is an important step as you create the design of your dreams. Let’s take a look at a few ideas for each room as you explore where to put built-in cabinets in your home.
Dining Rooms
A great way to think about built-in cabinets and furniture is to consider what you’d have in your room in the first place and how you would use it. In a dining room, it may be common to have a side hutch, buffet, or china cabinet. This is a favorite element to create as a built-in cabinet. Materials, paint selections and lighting, and accessories will elevate the space even more.
Bathrooms
Don’t underestimate the value of built-in cabinetry in the bathroom. Small spaces benefit from clever design. In-set shelves, floating shelves, or full floor-to-ceiling custom built-in cabinets create ample space for anything and everything a person needs in the bathroom. Custom built-in cabinets create a royal feeling in this very deserving space.
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are not typically the first place you think of when you think of custom cabinets. But, with a few clever design choices, custom cabinets in a bedroom can add a significant amount of function and beauty to the space.
Anything from a custom headboard, to a cabinet for storage, or a beautiful custom closet with all the amenities your heart desires.
Entryways
Without the proper storage solutions, entryways can quickly become a dumping ground for shoes, bags, and backpacks. Custom built-in cabinetry allows you to create a home for all the clutter that builds up here. This takes the typical home entryway from chaos to intentional order.
Laundry Rooms
Imagine a laundry room with ample storage, hanging bars that can drop down, a Murphy-style table to fold laundry on that folds away when done and neat cabinet faces that tuck everything away and out of sight.
With the addition of a few custom cabinets, laundry rooms can be a dreamy space with all the amenities you could ever want.
Library
It’s said that books take you to your wildest dreams. The home library can be large or small, regardless of size when it’s designed with custom built-in cabinets it becomes a world of its own. Dream up a space that is grand with a custom add-on ladder that helps you access top shelves, or transform a small nook in your home into a purposeful reading corner. The great thing about custom built-ins is that they are yours to dream up.
Mudrooms
Built-ins and mudrooms are a match made in heaven. You can build the perfect space to come inside, sit down, take off your shoes and then hide them away. This space could also have hooks or bars for you to hang up jackets or bags. It could even be a simple space to place your groceries as you are unloading them.
When it comes to mudrooms the sky is really the limit, and with just a few custom cabinets it can become a space of function and beauty.
Guestrooms
Most likely you won’t be having someone in your guestroom year-round. Custom built-ins allow you to make the most of this space. A built-in murphy bed can be an asset to the space. This type of built-in supports multi-purpose uses for you and offers your guests comfort in style when they are visiting.
Living/Family Rooms
One of the most sought-after custom built-in designs is the home entertainment wall. This room is a high-traffic, family gathering space that deserves focus.
This may be a larger built-in project with higher costs that offer great rewards. Will you be watching that home movie or marveling at the beautiful custom built-in that surrounds it?
Garages
Here is another space that is best not overlooked. This is an area of your home that allows you to build oversize custom built-ins and even use utility-grade materials.
Considering garages are so often used for storage, it’s amazing how little thought the average homeowner puts into making this space functional and organized. Custom cabinets are an excellent solution to this problem.
Conclusion
When it comes to clever storage solutions in any room of your home there’s no better way to go than a built-in cabinet. Whether you choose to go with the completely custom route or cleverly fit RTA cabinets into your space, we know you’ll be happy with all the benefits that a built-in cabinet has to offer.
