Built-in wardrobes, fitted cupboards and bespoke storage ideas
Built-in wardrobes and fitted cupboards have always been a streamlined solution to fill empty spaces, but as our homes shrink – quite literally, the average house size in the UK has decreased every decade since the 1950's – bespoke storage solutions that optimise every square inch are becoming a real necessity.
'A lot of our clients are lacking storage and therefore looking for unique solutions. They have spaces that they cannot utilise, with off-the-shelf units that don't fit the space," says Tonie Pepperstreet, Lead Designer at Bespoke Carpentry London. 'They approach us for bespoke solutions for alcove spaces, under the stairs, wall to wall, slanted walls, and awkward angled walls.'
Aside from the decreasing size of our homes, these clumsy and awkwardly shaped corners that defy decoration are reason enough to go bespoke. So too are the space guzzling desks and monitors that make up our WFH spots – both can be subsumed into smart built-in office nook (there is a great one on our list below).
'The benefits of getting bespoke furniture is using every inch of space and having a tailor-made design for functionality and creativity,' says Tonie. 'Over the past years, we have seen a huge increase and demand for fitted alcove furniture, such as cupboards, TV cabinets, shelving units and wardrobes.'
Here we look at 13 built-in storage ideas across wardrobes, bookcases, office nooks and window seats.
Half alcove
The empty recesses either side of a chimney breast are commonplace in a lot of homes, and where they once likely housed a sideboard or bar cart, they are now increasingly mined for storage opportunities. The most popular format is a built-in cupboard below and open shelving above – but those shelves can sometimes become decorated just for decorations's sake. This example is a happy mix of hidden storage and space for accessories.
Read more: Living room layout ideas: How to arrange your space
Fitted bedroom furniture
Whether your organisational philosophy is pure Marie Kondo or a bit more haphazard, the absolute best way to declutter your bedroom and save yourself some floor space is with fitted wardrobes. The House Beautiful collection at Homebase offer bedroom storage solutions at a fraction of the cost of going bespoke.
Pictured: House Beautiful Realm Fitted Wardrobe at Homebase
Statement bookcase
A connecting wall with a doorframe is one of the best spots for a built-in bookcase, especially if you can extend it up and over the doorway itself. It creates a nice amount of storage and a really wonderful design statement whilst taking up a negligible amount of floorspace.
Read more: Tour the rest of this fabulous maximalist home
Hidden home office
One of our favourite bespoke joinery projects on our list. A single wall in this spare room holds storage space, a hidden office nook, integrated seating and shelving – surely the hardest working space we've come across.
Pictured: Office project by Bespoke Carpentry London
Slanted ceilings
Slanted ceilings make it almost impossible to find off-the-shelf storage, and it is one of the spaces that will most benefit from a bespoke, built-in wardrobe. This dusty pink example is proof too that storage needn't be boring or detract from the overall design of a space, but can instead become its main statement.
Read more: 21 bedroom storage ideas to maximise space
Elegant bathroom storage
Bathroom storage is usually small and wall-mounted – which is a great solution in a tiny powder room, but less effective in a larger family bathroom that can accommodate something more substantial. Here, full height built-in cupboards provide ample storage and extend right up to the sink area so as not to waste a single inch.
Read more: 47 bathroom ideas to inspire your next makeover
Breaking up the wall
This fitted wardrobe makes the most of the structural confines of a converted attic space. A clever feature here is the little pockets of shelving added at intervals between doors to break up the run of cabinetry.
Read more: The before and after of this attic bedroom makeover
Storage window seat
Window seats are a nice use of a space that may otherwise remain underutilised. The benefit of creating them with bespoke joinery rather than buying a bench is of course the storage opportunities underneath.
Pictured: House Beautiful Bamboo Blinds at Hillarys
Small spaces
When adding integrated wardrobes into small spaces, take them to the absolute limits of your room. Remember that going bespoke means you can create something far narrower than standard, so cast your eye around your home for leftover corners you may have written off.
Read more: Tour the rest of this small but perfectly formed flat
Under the stairs
The empty space under your stairs should never be wasted. This pristine shaker cabinetry creates an unobtrusive wall of storage, and inside you can really be clever with wall mounted hooks, drawers and railings to hide everyday clutter.
Pictured: Under stair storage by Bespoke Carpentry London
Bespoke home bar
Surely the best use of bespoke joinery? This elegant home bar designed by Topology blends seamlessly with the adjacent kitchen units, holding a wine fridge and space to display glasses and bar tools.
Read more: Kitchen shelves: the best to buy and how to style them
Discreet bedroom storage
One for the more minimal of decorators. Your storage can disappear almost entirely into your space if designed without decorative panelling or hardware, and painted to match walls and ceilings. A great choice for a bedroom that will benefit from the more calming aspects of a stripped back design scheme.
Read more: 8 things professional declutterers won't keep in their bedroom
Framing
Much like our bookcase above, built-in wardrobes and cupboards can extend up and over doorways, not simply to increase storage space, but to create this elegant framed entryway into adjacent rooms.
Pictured: Bedroom storage by Bespoke Carpentry London
You Might Also Like
