What to consider when designing built-in shelving

Built-in shelving units provide extra storage that’s perfectly suited to your home’s layout and decor. Here are some things to consider when designing your own.

Your needs
What you plan to put on your built-in shelving unit will impact its design. For example, if you’re displaying a collection, you may choose to build specialized shelves.

If you’re planning to store things you want to keep hidden, you can add some doors to conceal the bottom shelves.

The location
There are likely a number of places in your home that could accommodate built-in shelving. Your living room may be a great spot for a custom bookcase, your kitchen may need the extra storage space and your fireplace might look better when flanked with shelving.

The shelves
Most books will fit on a standard eight-inch shelf, but you may require more space. If this is the case, make the bottom few shelves deeper than the top ones.

Finally, keep your home’s esthetic in mind when designing your shelving unit. If the area has moldings or other decorative accents, mimicking them in your design will help tie the room together.