Building a New Home
Built In Details For Your Home - Basic Options
Shelving, Bookcases, Cabinetry and More
One way to make your home unique, and add additional storage space, is to ask your builder to install built in shelving, bookcases, or other details. These small details can make a big difference:
- Increase storage space without increasing size of room
- Add dimension and depth to a room
- Add visual details
- Reduce "wasted space" too small for furniture or other uses
- Reduce clutter (and time spent cleaning it back up!)
A custom home builder is able to offer unique options like these Stanton Homes exclusives:
Eating Bar Bookcase
The space under a raised eating bar can be wasted space.
Add dimension and functionality by converting this space to a full, built in bookcase with multiple dividers.
Other storage options could include cabinetry, a cabinet-grade stained bookcase, or other options.
This layout works well for a child or adult oriented space, and can be used to store a multitude of items, or even display pottery pieces or decorative items.
The extended bar top still allows ample space for bar stools, or the countertop can be abbreviated and used as a serving area for formal or informal gatherings.
Built In Details - Passages and Short Hallways
A passage between two rooms or under a staircase can be dreadfully boring - two straight walls holding up a rectangular ceiling.
Dress up passageways with built in alcoves. These alcoves can have a multitude of uses:
Art Alcove - hang a painting, add a spotlight.
Message Center - include a shelf for phone books and message, phone jack, and white erase board.
Built in Bookcase - add three or four shelves and showcase your rare book collection.
Collectible Center - add several paint-grade, furniture grade, or even glass shelves to highlight your favorite collectibles.
Add don't forget the signature Stanton Homes archways and barrel vaults that add dimension, depth, and character to any passage!
Unique Foyers and Entrances - Built In Options
Want to set the tone at the entrance to your home?
What better way than including an architectural detail in your foyer!
This space could be used in a multitude of ways.
Here, a carefully planned arched cutout is perfect for a favorite piece of art.
The wide, integrated shelf adds weight and dimension to the cut out.
Another option could be, again, decorative shelving in some portion of the cut out.
Built In Seating and Storage
Any breakfast nook can be enhanced with a built in seating area, with or without storage.
This paint grade seating area includes angled elements, and is built at the same height as a standard chair for use with any standard height table.
The built in storage can be used for linens, larger toys, or any number of things.
Built in seating can also be incorporated in bedrooms or other living areas, to enhance usability and create inviting areas to relax.
Other options include cabinet grade (stained) seating.
Corner Shelving - Built In Display Areas
An empty corner can be converted into an inviting display area.
Well-planned shelving can be modified to fit any number of features - like electronics equipment, board games, books, or art.
Different styles of trimwork add unique elements.
These well-supported built in shelves draw the eye as a stand-alone artistic element in your new home.
Another example of ways to create functional space and storage in areas that might otherwise have little use.
Built In Shoe Rack - Foyer Storage Areas
If your family has a habit of leaving shoes at the front door, you'll love this built in shoe rack detail.
An adjacent room was several steps up, which meant unused space was available underneath floor level.
This built in shoe rack includes plenty of space for multiple pairs, and is angled nicely for display.
Built In Bookcase - Under Staircase
This is just another example of what to do with space created by a staircase overhead.
The barrel vault arches overhead and going to the formal dining area add tone and texture to these rooms. But something special is needed to set off the wall space.
This built in bookcase combines two different functions, while the trimwork on the exterior adds visual appeal.
The upper portion has a variety of uses.
Exceptional Details Make an Exceptional Home
The above examples are just a small portion of the many options available to increase the functionality and beauty of your new home.
At Stanton Homes, many of these features are included as "standards" in our homes - with exceptional homes like these starting in the mid $200s.
To find out more about how to incorporate built in shelving and other details in your new home, talk to your builder. Ask for photos of completed work, or walk through completed homes with similar details to get a better idea of what you'd like to see!
You may also be interested in these popular articles:
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Copyright Stanton Homes 2009. No reprinting without express permission. All photos represent details as seen in Stanton Homes, in homes below $400K.
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