Transform Your Living Room with Stunning Built-In Shelving

Are you looking to elevate the style and functionality of your living room? Built-in shelves are the perfect solution to add storage, personality, and organization to your space. Whether you are a DIY enthusiast or prefer to hire a professional, custom built-ins can be tailored to suit any style of living room, from farmhouse to modern and everything in between. In this article, we will explore 20 beautiful living rooms with built-in shelving to inspire you to transform your space.

How Built-In Shelves Maximize Space

A-frame houses can present challenges when it comes to decorating and maximizing space. Prefabricated cabinets may not fit seamlessly due to the unique angles of the walls. Custom built-ins, such as the ones crafted by Morse Design, can provide a perfect solution. These built-ins create a stunning book collection while allowing the half-circle windows to shine, creating a cohesive and visually appealing space.

Incorporating Floating Bar Shelves

Home bars are becoming increasingly popular and are no longer limited to dining rooms or basements. Marie Flanigan Interiors showcases a beautiful example of incorporating a floating bar shelf as part of the built-ins in a living room. This design adds a touch of sophistication and convenience, making entertaining guests a breeze.

Classic Cubbies for Timeless Style

Traditional white built-ins with open shelving, as demonstrated by Kendall Wilkinson Design, offer versatility and timeless appeal. Choosing a simple cabinet style ensures that your built-ins will complement any style or decor changes you may make in the future.

Customizing Proportions for Optimum Space

When it comes to living room built-ins, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. Leclair Decor demonstrates how installing cabinets halfway up the wall on either side of a mantel can maximize space while framing the focal point of the room. This customization allows for a functional and visually pleasing design without blocking natural light.

Enhancing with Glass Doors

Creating built-ins with tall, narrow dimensions and glass doors, like the ones showcased by Light and Dwell, can frame a fireplace beautifully and draw attention to specific details. The addition of accent lighting or contrasting colors can further enhance the visual impact of these built-ins.

Adding Custom Lighting for a Pop of Color

Breathe life into your built-ins by incorporating custom lighting and vibrant colors. Kendall Wilkinson Design showcases a backlit wall with a playful blue hue, adding a touch of whimsy to a traditional design. This unique lighting solution can create a focal point and elevate the overall aesthetic of your living room.

Infusing Drama with Black

For a sleek and modern look, consider painting your built-ins black. Maite Granda demonstrates how matte black built-ins can add drama and sophistication to a living room while seamlessly integrating a media center for entertainment purposes.

Focusing on Artwork Display

Use your built-ins to showcase artwork and create a focal point in your living room. Marie Flanigan Interiors beautifully frames a large piece of art with floor-to-ceiling built-ins, adding depth and interest to the space. The addition of blue sconces provides ambient lighting and highlights the artwork elegantly.

Embracing Wraparound Shelving

Customize your built-ins to wrap around corners and provide ample storage and display space. Kendall Wilkinson Design showcases a design where shelves seamlessly transition around the room, creating a cohesive and visually appealing storage solution. The contrasting color choice adds a focal point and visual interest to the space.

Matching Built-Ins to Wall Color

For a cohesive and seamless look, consider painting your built-ins the same color as your walls. Leclair Decor demonstrates how matching the shelving to the walls can create a unified and harmonious design. This approach allows for the integration of lighting fixtures and customization options for different moods and styles.

Balancing Open and Closed Storage

Create a contemporary look by mixing open shelving with closed lower cabinets in a neutral color scheme. Mary Patton Design showcases how the absence of hardware and decorative elements can leave the space feeling light and airy, while maximizing storage and display options.

Mixing Materials for Texture

Blend different materials and finishes to add texture and visual interest to your built-ins. Whittney Parkinson Design pairs stone walls with painted wood built-ins and natural wood shelving, creating a dynamic and visually appealing contrast. Wallpaper can also be incorporated to add color or pattern to the back of the shelves for added dimension.

Extending Shelving Wall to Wall

If you have ample space and storage needs, consider extending your built-ins wall to wall. Leclair Decor demonstrates how a crisp white built-in design can provide abundant storage and display space without overwhelming the room. The simple style allows for versatile storage options and a clean aesthetic.

Experimenting with Two-Tone Looks

Customize your built-ins by painting them in contrasting or complementary colors to create a focal point in your living room. Kendall Wilkinson Design showcases how a two-tone color scheme can add interest and sophistication to a space, while allowing for customization and personalization.

Incorporating Warm Wood Tones

Add warmth and charm to your living room with built-in wood cabinetry in rich natural tones. Whittney Parkinson Design integrates a mix of wood cabinetry around a stone fireplace, creating a cozy and inviting focal point in a neutral modern space.

Expert Tip:

Leave built-ins natural for a rustic feel, paint them white for a modern look, or add color and pattern with bold hues to match your living room style and decor.

Enhancing with Arches

Softening the look of your fireplace built-ins can be achieved by adding arches to the design. Painting the built-ins, mantel, and surround in the same color creates a cohesive and unified aesthetic, while adding visual interest and architectural detail.

Simplifying with Floating Shelves

For a modern and streamlined look, consider incorporating floating shelves into your built-ins. These versatile shelves can be custom-cut to fit any space and blend seamlessly with existing decor. A combination of white-painted brick, wooden shelves, and deep blue cabinets, as demonstrated by Ashley Montgomery Design, can create a contemporary and stylish focal point.

Customizing Shelf Sizes for Varied Decor

Create visual interest and practicality by incorporating shelves of varying sizes in your built-ins. This approach, as shown by Amy Lefernik at Interior Impressions, allows for versatility in displaying different types of decor while adding a dynamic and eye-catching element to your living room design.

Adding a Cozy Window Seat

Incorporating seating elements into your built-ins can enhance the functionality and comfort of your living room. Jessica Nelson Design showcases a beautiful window seat reading nook with storage underneath, creating a cozy and inviting space to relax and enjoy the view. The arched built-in shelves on either side complete the look and add a touch of elegance.

Integrating Mini Built-Ins

Customize your built-ins to suit your space and needs by incorporating mini built-ins for added functionality. Amy Lefernik at Interior Impressions demonstrates how a small built-in above the fireplace can serve as a vertical extension, providing storage for books, decor items, and electronic devices in a compact and efficient design.

Do Built-In Shelves Add Value to Your Home?

Built-in shelving can enhance the value of your home, especially if crafted from quality materials and excellent craftsmanship. According to Angi, professionally installed built-ins may increase the resale value of your home, while DIY options made from cheaper materials may not have the same impact.

What is the Cost of Built-In Shelves?

The cost of built-in shelving can vary depending on factors such as materials, labor, and customization. According to Angi, custom built-ins around entertainment centers can range from $1,500 to $20,000, built-ins around fireplaces from $500 to $5,000, and shelving around TVs from $1,500 to $4,000. It is essential to consider the overall value and functionality of the built-ins to determine the investment.

Disadvantages of Built-In Shelves

While built-in shelves offer numerous benefits, there are some disadvantages to consider. Built-ins are permanent fixtures that can be costly to modify or remove, limiting future design changes. Poorly conceived or badly installed built-ins can detract from the aesthetics of a room and may not suit future decor styles. Additionally, built-ins cannot be easily relocated if you move to a new home.

In conclusion, built-in shelving offers a versatile and stylish solution to enhance your living room. Whether you prefer a traditional look with classic cubbies or a modern design with floating shelves, there are endless possibilities to customize your built-ins to suit your style and needs. Consider the tips and examples provided in this article to transform your living room into a functional and visually appealing space with built-in shelving that adds value and character to your home.