Built-ins on a Budget: DIY Ways To Get the Look Without a High Pricetag
For those of us who love homes with character and architectural interest, built-ins are highly coveted features. Shelving units, cabinets, benches and desks that have been built right into the walls show an attention to detail that newer homes often lack. But don’t worry! You can still get the look in a brand-new house (or even a rental) without an expensive renovation. The secret formula? Just mix affordable furniture with some DIY magic.
Believe it or not, this “built-in” above is actually several IKEA BILLY bookcases. After securing the three pieces to the wall, adding decorative trim, and brushing on a coat of white paint, The Makerista styled the new wall unit with books, art and plants.
By the looks of this polished room, you’d never guess that the bookcases weren’t originals. To give the impression that the bookcases have lived there forever, Jenny Komenda from The Little Green Notebook added some brilliantly deceptive trim to the tops.
To make this new window bench seem like it was built with the house, Shaunna from Perfectly Imperfect sized it to fit the length of the window, then painted it to match the adjoining cabinets.
Re-edited from a post originally published on 10.19.16 – AL