Built-ins turn an awkward wall or alcove into storage that looks like part of the house. Idaho Cabinetry designs media walls, shelving and benches to the room, beginning with a consultation request.
Freestanding furniture stops where the wall has a bump, a vent or a baseboard. A built-in is scribed to the surfaces around it, runs to the ceiling if you want it to and uses the full width of an alcove. The result looks original to the room instead of added to it.
Common candidates include the walls beside a fireplace, the space under a staircase, a window seat, a mudroom bench with cubbies, a home office wall and a media wall in a living room or basement.
A media wall starts with the equipment. Screen size, soundbar or speakers, a game console and a streaming box all need space, power and a way to keep cables tidy. Measure what you own now and think about what you might add, since screens and components change more often than cabinets do.
Heat and ventilation need thought. Electronics generally need airflow, so a closed door in front of a receiver can cause trouble unless the design includes ventilation or an open compartment. Follow the equipment manufacturer's instructions on clearance and placement.
Mounting a screen on or above a built-in raises its own questions about weight and wall structure. Follow the screen maker's mounting instructions, and have anyone unsure about the wall behind it check before hanging anything heavy.
Cables are the quiet problem in most media walls. Plan a path for power and signal cables from the equipment to the outlet before the design is final, and ask about pass-through holes in the shelves and back panels so cords do not drape across the front. A design that handles cables at the start looks cleaner for years than one with wires added later.
A built-in looks right when its proportions and details echo the room: the same baseboard height, a door style that matches the existing trim and a finish that suits the floors and doors nearby. Our door styles guide helps with matching the look of the house, and the painted versus stained guide helps with the finish.
Walls are rarely perfectly straight or square, and a good built-in accounts for that with trim pieces and scribing along the edges. Accurate measurements make that possible, and the measuring guide describes a method that works for any cabinet run, not only kitchens.
Shelf span and thickness decide whether a shelf sags under books or dishes over time. Plywood is generally a stable choice for shelves and boxes, while particleboard shelves are more likely to bow under load, as discussed in the materials guide. Adjustable shelves give flexibility, and fixed shelves add stiffness.
Painted built-ins are common because paint hides the mix of materials behind a smooth face. Stained wood shows the grain and suits a library or a den. Both are possible, and the right pick depends on the room.
Use the consultation form and include photos of the wall or alcove, rough dimensions, a list of what must fit inside and any items already in place such as outlets, vents or a fireplace. We reply with questions and next steps. Pricing and timing are not posted because they depend on the design, and anything you rely on will be confirmed in writing.
Photos from several angles help a great deal, as does a note about which items must stay where they are, such as a vent, an outlet or a piece of furniture.
Yes, but the cabinetry has to respect the clearances the fireplace maker and local code require. Share photos and the type of fireplace, and we will discuss what is possible.
It can, as long as the opening is sized to the screen and has room for ventilation and cables. Give us the screen model or dimensions.
They are attached to the house, so removal usually means repair work on the wall or floor. Think of them as a long-term decision.
A basement wall is a reasonable candidate. Moisture, ceiling height and soffits all affect the design, so describe the space in the form.
Describe the room and what you want changed, and we will reply with the next step.