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A Homeowner's Guide to Custom Built-In Cabinets

“This house has too much storage,” said no one ever. Let’s be honest–most homes don’t have enough storage. And even when they do, it’s often not the kind that actually works for your everyday life. You might start with quick fixes–baskets, bins, and maybe a freestanding shelf or two–but these one-size-fits-all solutions rarely solve the problem long-term. They’re not cohesive, they might not be very solid or secure, and while they may add some functionality, it could be better.

If you feel like you’ve tried it all, we have one more option for you to consider: functional, solid, and timeless built-ins. Custom cabinets and built-ins are a practical way for you to get more storage out of your home. And, they add lasting character to any space. Built-in cabinets, drawers, and shelves enhance a room’s look and functionality without the need for major changes, making your space work for your family now and for years to come.

If you ever decide to sell, built-ins are a value driver, too. According to Realtor.com, because storage is a huge factor in today’s housing market, built-ins that add function are appealing to buyers and ultimately increase home value.

There are truly endless ways built-ins and custom cabinetry can transform home storage and elevate aesthetics. Keep reading to learn about all of your options for built-ins, how they can benefit every room in your house, and why working with the professionals to design and install your custom solution will lead to the best results.

What Are Custom Built-In Cabinets?

Built-in cabinets are a custom storage option that integrates directly into your home’s structure. Aside from custom cabinetry, built-in designs also include open shelving, drawers, cubbies, bench seating–whatever storage options make sense for the space. One key distinction between built-ins and other types of storage is that built-ins are attached to the walls of the home, so they’re not going anywhere.

Think about the last time you saw built-ins, maybe in a friend’s newly renovated house or even where they exist in your own home. You’re probably envisioning a living room, den, kitchen, dining room, or rec space. Here’s the exciting part–built-in cabinets and shelving can elevate just about any part of your home, including the entryway or mudrooms, the pantry, bedrooms, and even the garage.

Benefits of Built-ins Include:

Seamless design
Optimized use of space
Timeless visual appeal
Custom to your exact needs
Permanent and secure storage

Why Homeowners Choose Built-Ins

Over the years, we’ve noticed five main reasons homeowners fall in love with built-in storage and custom cabinets. If you resonate with any of the needs, custom built-ins could be a great option for your home as well.

Make your current home work for you now.

What’s cheaper–and way less stressful–than moving to meet your growing storage needs? Renovating your current house so it works for you right now. Having a design expert’s perspective will help you see more than what you thought was possible.

Maximize every inch of space.

Built-ins and custom cabinets allow you to make the most of wall space, especially high-up areas, that might not get used otherwise. When a design expert maps out your storage system, you’re far more likely to end up with a functional, space-saving layout.

Customize storage functionality.

When each shelf, cabinet, and drawer is selected for your stuff, everything just works better. You’ll spend less time searching and tidying, and more time enjoying your space.

Personalize home design.

You get to pick the colors and hardware that match your personal style so your custom cabinetry looks as good as it functions. And, when your new storage is designed with your home’s vibe in mind, you achieve a more cohesive look.

Add value to the home.

When considering future buyers, the more storage your home has, the better–as long as it’s functional. Working with experts to add solid built-in storage options throughout your home adds value. Plus, custom cabinets create an elevated look that buyers are drawn to.

Inspired Closets Built-In Cabinetry Solutions

Designed Custom
for Every Room

Living Room

Custom cabinets, floating shelves, and soft-close drawers are ideal for keeping games and electronics organized as well as showcasing books, décor, and hosting essentials in an entertainment center, on bookshelves, or in wet bar storage.

Home Office

Stay focused, productive, and organized with dedicated printer and file drawers, tech organization, personalized craft and hobby storage, and plenty of space for motivating office décor.

Entryways

Make coming and going faster and less chaotic with lockers and cubbies for the kids’ school and sports stuff, drawers for leashes and dog toys, a drop zone for keys and mail, and a built-in bench along with adjustable shoe storage.

Bedrooms

No closet remodel is complete without built-in cabinets, shelving, drawers, and any other customizations that expand storage space and make it easier to keep bedrooms organized. Transform your guest room into a multi-purpose space by adding a Murphy bed or custom cabinetry for a home office.

Kitchen and Pantries

From sleek open shelves to intentionally organized custom cabinets, personalized pantry built-ins save time and create less clutter. A built-in hutch or a coffee bar immediately elevates the look and functionality of any kitchen, pantry, or dining room space.

Garage

Built-in cabinets are a secure solution for getting more use out of your garage. Dedicated organization for gardening supplies, sports gear, seasonal décor, and bulk items, plus a workshop space and built-in shoe storage, keeps everything in your garage safe, tidy, and easy to access.

Designed With You, for You

At Inspired Closets, we created our custom closet and home organization process to make renovations easy, enjoyable, and stress-free. We manage the hard stuff, like creating your custom cabinetry design, deciding what will work the best for your project, and professionally tackling cabinet and closet installation.

However, our process is a true collaboration. From the very first consultation when you show us your home and share what’s not working, we’re listening. Whether you want to be hands-on or just trust us to do the heavy lifting, we’re here to collaborate at your pace. Overall, our goal is for you to genuinely love your custom built-ins.

We also highly recommend stopping by one of our showrooms to try out Inspired Closets Envision™, our first-of-its-kind augmented reality design tool. Envision takes the 2D rendering of your design and brings it to life, allowing you to walk through your space before spending a thing. Take the guesswork out of your home renovation by:

Visualizing your design and walking through it before it’s built
Seeing your closet at full scale to get a feel for space, distance, and placement
Validating your design decisions so you feel confident moving forward
Trying it before you buy it for that extra peace of mind before you commit
Knowing our designers and installers use Envision to immerse themselves in your design

It really is the smartest way to buy a closet or approach any custom organization solution for your home. Visit your local showroom to bring your design to life and explore what’s possible.

Beautiful Colors & Smart Details

We offer a range of color and texture options so your built-ins look and feel exactly how you want them to. You also get to choose hardware for your custom cabinets to put the finishing touches on a truly personalized design. No need to feel overwhelmed, though–we’ll walk through your space together, ask the right questions, and guide you to decisions that feel right.

One of our design experts will also chat with you about which of our smart storage and organization features will make your built-ins more functional and your life easier. Soft-close drawers prevent wear and tear in the pantry and home office, while pull-out bins create easy access to socks in your custom closet or detergent in the laundry room. Our designers also love to integrate lighting into custom cabinets and shelves to brighten things up, make it easier to see what you’re looking for, and add an elevated aesthetic touch.

Real Home
Transformations

“Inspired Closets executed my vision for our living room entertainment center perfectly. The team completed the project quickly and made sure everything fit just right. They installed the cabinet hardware and custom floating shelves. My designer (Demi) that I worked with in the Tucson Inspired Closets showroom even stopped during install to make sure everything went smoothly.”

Homeowner: Ellie Rose

Designed and Installed by Inspired Closets Tucson

“Our buffet table with hanging mirror fit the space, but my husband and I wanted something functional that allowed us to easily entertain. Inspired Closets custom designed and installed our coffee bar with extra storage and we just love it.”

Homeowner: Carly Cristman

Designed and Installed by Inspired Closets Chicago

“Transforming our garage with Inspired Closets was more than just a makeover–it was a lifestyle upgrade! Goodbye to the days of searching for lost items in a cluttered mess, and HELLO to a beautiful organized space that reflects both my style and personality.”

Homeowner: Johnny Curran

Designed and Installed by Inspired Closets Connecticut and Greater Westchester County

Inspiration Gallery

When it comes to custom built-ins, the possibilities are endless. Because they can be incorporated into any area of the home to boost both form and function, it can be hard to know where to start. If you’re looking for more design inspiration to help determine where built-in cabinets, shelving, cubbies, and more could enhance your home storage, visit our Idea Gallery for more visual examples of past custom builds.

View Our Idea Gallery

Ready to Elevate Your Home?

For storage that actually fits your life, adds value to your home, and looks beautiful while doing it, custom built-ins are the way to go. If you’re looking for more built-in cabinet and bespoke storage design ideas, download our digital brochure.

When you’re ready to take the next step and get started, reach out to us to schedule a free design consultation. Our experts are here to help you elevate the look, function, and feel of your home.

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A Homeowner's Guide to Custom Built-In Cabinets