Built-in Features: Value Added Options or Design Nightmares?

<h1>Built-in Features: Value Added Options or Design Nightmares?</h1>Author: <a title="Nelson Stewart" href="http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/nelson-stewart/18197.htm">Nelson Stewart</a> One way to add character to a home and make better use of dead space areas is by the addition of built-in features in your home. There are a variety of options that you can add to increase the usable space in your home and really add some charm. Built-in features may take the form of storage options like book shelves, cabinets, drawers, specialized closets, entertainment centers, and wine racks; these types of built-ins commonly use space that's otherwise wasted to add richness to the rooms and help hide or organise clutter. Other types of built-ins may give the home additional seating like a window seat in a bay window or a banquette which is a built in bench that is added to a windowless nook; either type of seating can be constructed to have an additional storage space underneath. Built-ins may also be constructed as work spaces; many home work areas can be transformed with a built in desk and cabinets while laundry rooms can be made far more efficient with the addition of a folding counter or table, cabinets for laundry items, and possibly a built in ironing board or drying rack. However, whatever sort of built-in features that you're looking at adding to your living space, keep in mind that not all of them are going to universally add value to your home. Many built-in options can severely reduce the amount of useable space in a room is it's installed in such a way that you can only set up the furniture in one configuration. Some built-in entertainment centers built in the 1980s horribly date the houses that they were installed in and do to advances in technology are utterly useless now. The best way to use permanent features to add value to a home instead of taking it away is to only add built-ins that utilise otherwise unusable space, don't let the features dominate a room, and to try to keep as much as possible with the style of the home. Some good built-ins can include bookshelves under stair cases or on stair landings; built in shelves in bathrooms; kitchen pantries; cabinets or shelves around fireplaces; and narrow bookshelves on small walls that you likely wouldn't want to put furniture in front of. Built-in features can really add to the charm and attractiveness of your home but remember that not everyone is going to love every sort of permanent furnishing you'd like to install. Keep them simple and basic so that if you change your decorating scheme you will be able to work with the installation and keep in mind that if you're likely to sell your home any time soon that prospective buyers will usually prefer something that is easy for them to work with as well.About the Author: Learn more about mobile homes and <a href="http://www.palmgardensonline.com/" target="_blank">Mesa Retirement</a> living at PalmGardensOnline.com. The site has extensive information for buyers thinking of relocating to an <a href="http://www.palmgardensonline.com/rvs.php" target="_blank">Arizona gated RV Park</a>, and details on a variety of great mobile home and RV living options.Article Source: <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/">ArticlesBase.com</a> - <a href="http://www.articlesbase.com/remodeling-articles/builtin-features-value-added-options-or-design-nightmares-1172702.html" title="Built-in Features: Value Added Options or Design Nightmares?">Built-in Features: Value Added Options or Design Nightmares?</a>

One way to add character to a home and make better use of dead space areas is by the addition of built-in features in your home. There are a variety of options that you can add to increase the usable space in your home and really add some charm.

Built-in features may take the form of storage options like book shelves, cabinets, drawers, specialized closets, entertainment centers, and wine racks; these types of built-ins commonly use space that's otherwise wasted to add richness to the rooms and help hide or organise clutter.

Other types of built-ins may give the home additional seating like a window seat in a bay window or a banquette which is a built in bench that is added to a windowless nook; either type of seating can be constructed to have an additional storage space underneath.

Built-ins may also be constructed as work spaces; many home work areas can be transformed with a built in desk and cabinets while laundry rooms can be made far more efficient with the addition of a folding counter or table, cabinets for laundry items, and possibly a built in ironing board or drying rack.

However, whatever sort of built-in features that you're looking at adding to your living space, keep in mind that not all of them are going to universally add value to your home. Many built-in options can severely reduce the amount of useable space in a room is it's installed in such a way that you can only set up the furniture in one configuration. Some built-in entertainment centers built in the 1980s horribly date the houses that they were installed in and do to advances in technology are utterly useless now.

The best way to use permanent features to add value to a home instead of taking it away is to only add built-ins that utilise otherwise unusable space, don't let the features dominate a room, and to try to keep as much as possible with the style of the home.

Some good built-ins can include bookshelves under stair cases or on stair landings; built in shelves in bathrooms; kitchen pantries; cabinets or shelves around fireplaces; and narrow bookshelves on small walls that you likely wouldn't want to put furniture in front of.

Built-in features can really add to the charm and attractiveness of your home but remember that not everyone is going to love every sort of permanent furnishing you'd like to install. Keep them simple and basic so that if you change your decorating scheme you will be able to work with the installation and keep in mind that if you're likely to sell your home any time soon that prospective buyers will usually prefer something that is easy for them to work with as well.

Learn more about mobile homes and Mesa Retirement living at PalmGardensOnline.com. The site has extensive information for buyers thinking of relocating to an Arizona gated RV Park, and details on a variety of great mobile home and RV living options.

Rate this Article:

0 / 5 stars - 0 vote(s)

Re-Publish

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/remodeling-articles/builtin-features-value-added-options-or-design-nightmares-1172702.html

Article Tags: home improvements, value added features, home remodeling, furniture

Related Videos
Related Articles
Ask / Related Q&A

Play

Fighting In Built Up Areas - Weapon Retention

Play

Panasonic SA-BTX70 Home Theater Review

Play

The Advantages of a Built-in Ironing Center

Play

AMD Maui HTPC Review

Play

How to Fit a Built-in Refrigerator

Latest Remodeling Articles
More from Nelson Stewart

Best Ways to Save Money with Roofing

By: Jeff Revior | 26/12/2009
Fixing your roof can be really annoying if you don’t know what you are doing. If you are new to all of this figuring out you will need a hand starting out with all the basics that will guide you through the process.

DIY Bathroom Remodeling Projects

By: Gene B. Pineda | 26/12/2009
A home is a big investment and keeping it updated, maintained and in good condition requires not only basic maintenance such as pressure washing and painting to protect the outside, it also requires home remodeling on the inside to address repairs and upgrades. Keeping your home well maintained and current with new décor and accessories benefits the homeowner by increasing the properties value as well as creating an aesthetically pleasing home.

The Fresh And Hospitable Experience Of Country Kitchen Décor

By: Douglas M. Parks | 26/12/2009
A country theme is one of the most popular themes for kitchen décor, so whether you have just moved into a new home or wish to redecorate your kitchen, there is a lot of country kitchen décor on the market to select from. You should first decide whether or not you prefer your theme to be more specific, such as country apple, country cat, or farmhouse rooster, or whether you want to incorporate multiple subthemes into an over country kitchen theme.

Experienced Outdoor Décor Ideas

By: Floyd P. Dietz | 26/12/2009
Creating outdoor spaces that are comfortable and inviting can be more difficult than some people imagine. It takes more than a few chairs and a table to create outdoor décor that makes you want to spend time in your garden. Make your outdoor space as inviting as your living room so that you always want to spend time in your garden. Think about what you want to do in your outdoor space and when it will be used and you will get an idea of what needs to be done for your outdoor décor.

Bathroom Remodeling Ideas: Hints For Success

By: Kenneth D. Tafolla | 26/12/2009
Bathroom remodeling ideas can be simple or complex much like any other remodeling ideas such as basement or kitchen ideas. By remodeling your bathroom you can create a retreat where you can relax and unwind. When it comes to bathroom remodeling ideas, everything can be personalized from the sink and bathtub to the cabinets and floor.

Home Renovation Ideas for the New Year

By: Oswald Melman | 25/12/2009
A new year is rolling around, and all throughout the nation home owners are thinking about what sorts of resolutions they will be implementing. Many new year’s resolutions revolve around personal and professional issues, yet a good deal also have to do with the condition in which a person’s house happens to be at present

Five Home Improvement Projects for a Master Bathroom

By: Oswald Melman | 25/12/2009
Any realtor will tell you about the importance of keeping a master bathroom in excellent shape. Apart from the kitchen, it factors into a prospective home buyer’s decision more than any other place in the house. Besides that, it is the place you start your day every morning and is one of those spots in the house which can have a big impact on your psyche. Thus, it should be high up on the list of home improvement projects on your radar.

Don’t Let D.I.Y. Become D.I. Why Oh Why: Tips on Avoiding The Mistakes of Kitchen Renovation

By: Oswald Melman | 25/12/2009
It’s tough to learn how to do something if you never give it a try, but the best way to learn this lesson certainly isn’t to be standing knee-deep in wreckage in what is supposed to be a beautiful new kitchen. While the scene isn’t always exactly that dramatic, rookie mistakes when it comes to home renovation are not a stretch of anyone’s imagination.

Living the Life of Manufactured Luxury

By: Nelson Stewart | 21/09/2009 | Real Estate
Like any custom-built residence, manufactured homes can have simple, standard designs or can include numerous upgrades, depending on the owner's budget. One example of the new world of home building includes luxuries such as a gas fireplace, stainless steel appliances, soaker tub, double bathroom sinks, a butler's pantry, recessed lighting, and a spacious kitchen with an island.

Waterscape Designs add Relaxation and Beauty to any Yard

By: Nelson Stewart | 21/09/2009 | Landscaping
Costs will vary depending on the size of the water scape, the location that is best suited to your location (equipment considerations) and the types of foliage included. The first step is to take a photograph of the area that will be used, which will give the landscape design consultant a base to work from.

Condo Loan Risk Reduction May be Creating More Problems

By: Nelson Stewart | 28/08/2009 | Mortgage
The price of condos has been reduced pretty much clear across the board by almost 20% from last year. In some places, years of overbuilding has made for a glutted market which is doubly struggling because there are just less buyers to buy into the excess of units.

Retirement in the Frozen North: Snowbird Migration to Mesa

By: Nelson Stewart | 28/07/2009 | Real Estate
Many people from cooler climates choose to come to Mesa in the winter. While Mesa can get over 115F in the summer time, it is a moderate 80F in the winter. Mesa also only has about 8 inches of rainfall all year long with about 300 sunny days annually.

Life on the Road: Making the Most of RV Living

By: Nelson Stewart | 28/07/2009 | RVs
The biggest decision that you will make when deciding how you're going to spend your RV time is that of what sort of RV are you going to travel in. Whether you choose a motorhome and vehicle to tow or a trailer/fifth wheel towed by a truck, there are some important things to consider.

Planning a Successful Retirement

By: Nelson Stewart | 30/06/2009 | Elderly Care
One very good way to keep you feeling more positive about life and mentally exercised is to invest in relationships with family and friends. Many people find that during their work years they have a hard time finding all the time they'd like to spend nurturing their relationships.

The Importance of Staging an Older Home

By: Nelson Stewart | 30/06/2009 | Real Estate
First of all, staging involves de-cluttering both the inside and outside of your home. Many people living in older homes have been in residence for a long time. Every year that you live in a house makes for more stuff that you've brought in, adding to the clutter that you already had. One of the key ideas in home staging is that it helps a prospective buyer actually see what your house looks like because you've removed the clutter.