A well-designed built-in unit can transform a living room, giving it focus, function and a sense that the space was made to last. Custom millwork brings architecture and personality to a room in a way freestanding furniture simply can’t. For these five new living rooms, designers share how they used built-ins to solve real problems and create spaces the homeowners love to live in.
1. Sophisticated and Family-Friendly
Designer: Victoria van Zanten Interior Design
Location: Oakland, California
Size: 300 square feet (28 square meters); 15 by 20 feet
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowners wanted a living room polished enough to entertain their friends yet comfortable and durable enough for everyday life with two young children,” says designer Victoria van Zanten. “They wanted to create an elevated space that was sophisticated but practical and family-friendly at the same time.”
Built-in details. “The room had great bones, but wall-to-wall warm wood tones felt heavy and unfocused,” van Zanten says. “We decided to preserve the original wood floors and windows, then paint the built-ins in a deep moody color (Gray Gardens by Benjamin Moore) to ground the space and create a clear focal point. Reupholstering the window seat in a beautiful C&C Milano outdoor fabric made the room feel more inviting while also adding durability for a young family. The lower drawers were deliberately preserved as toy storage, and lidded baskets were tucked into the lowest niches to handle the overflow. Built-ins made this possible in a way freestanding furniture simply couldn’t.”