Built-in storage can be designed to complement existing architectural details or the style of a home and fitted in such a way that it takes up minimum floor space while offering floor-to-ceiling or wall-to-wall storage options.
Whether you opt to have the job done professionally or choose to go the DIY route, built-in storage looks good and taking the latter route means that you can save money by doing the job yourself and splurge on other items for a home.
Built-in storage allows you to make use of space that might otherwise be wasted, such as alcoves, empty areas under a staircase, framing around and under small or large windows, or be designed to take up a small amount of space in any room in a home.
Choosing the material
With most home improvement centres, hardware stores and timber merchants stocking a wide range of timber and board options, you can select the right material to use for your built-in cupboards; from PAR (planed) wood to laminated board. You will also find pretty much everything you need to assemble and fit the project where you want it located.
– Timber
You will find laminated pine shelving in various lengths and widths if you want to create a rustic or natural wood built-in unit. While laminated pine is a softwood, there are other options if you are preferred to spend a bit more. Meranti and Saligna are harder woods, while Oak, Imbuia and other woods are available from specialist timber and board merchants and cost quite a bit more. At the end of the day you need to set down a budget of how much you want to spend on your built-in and the finished look you want.
– Board
Gone are the days when melamine-faced chipboard was the only option for do-it-yourself built-ins. Now you can choose from a wide variety of materials that are hard-wearing and available array of finishes. Products like BisonLam and SupaLam offer an affordable option in your looking to keep costs down, while MelaWood and NovoBoard might cost a bit more, but also come in varied assortment of colours and textures.
Unfinished SupaWood board is the most inexpensive option for built-ins and you can finish this off by painting in your choice of colour using either a paintbrush and foam roller, or spray painting system such as the Bosch PFS spray system. If you use quality paints there’s no reason why this option shouldn’t look just as good and last as long as alternatives. And the nice thing about using and painting SupaWood is that you can change the colour any time you want to.
So measure up, draw a plan and pop into your local board and timber supplier to select the materials you need to add built-in storage to your home.
Article courtesy of EasyDIY
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