Beds, wardrobes, bookshelves, storage units, cabinets, desks, tables, sideboards, pantries, fireplaces, dressing tables and entertainment centres are a few of the innovations

If you are thinking of equipping your home with lavish and stylish furniture before you move in, then built-in furniture might be the perfect choice. Built-in furniture refers to the furniture which is installed during the construction phase, so that you do not have to bear with the mess and hassles later on.

The biggest advantage of such furniture is that it can be built to fit into the exact space, budget and requirements. For instance, if you want your wardrobe to be fixed in the wall, you can design it in the space according to the required length and breadth so that you can have it ready before you shift. This concept works very well if there is space scarcity, which is why the idea has been rapidly picking up.Homeowners are enthused about these handy additions that add both beauty and functionality to any space.

Interior designers believe that the rise of built-in furniture is because of its affordability and practicality. “Today, space is greatly limited, so built-in furniture is a space saving design which lets people craft their furniture according to the space available,“ says Nayana Joshi, interior designer and owner of Perfect Design and Décor Showroom, adding that this sudden demand is due to the rise in housing projects and apartments. Although some houses applied this technique earlier, it was not so widespread. But these days, according to her, almost all apartments are fitted beforehand with builtin furniture in such a way that maximum space is utilised.

The beauty of built-in furniture is that it takes into account overlooked spaces and transforms them into valuable areas in the home without taking away from the open space. Such furniture can fit into any place -even between walls, beneath stairs, unused corners and plain walls. It does not need to be shifted and moved around, thus reducing the chance of damage and scratches.

Kitchen nooks, beds, wardrobes, bookshelves, storage units, cabinets, desks, tables, sideboards, pantries, fireplaces, dressing tables and entertainment centres are just a few of the innovations that built-in furniture can bring to the space.
“If your wall is rough or uneven, then built-in furniture will hide its flaws and transform into more useful and attractive space,“ adds Joshi. Most homeowners already use built-in furniture in kitchens and bathrooms, but now the idea is steadily extending to include almost all other rooms.

Interior designer Navin Vikash Maharjan agrees that built-in furniture is best suited to small houses or cramped apartments where space is a constraint.

He adds, “Such furniture is carefully designed, so that it is in harmony with the building's architecture and colour scheme.“ Built-in furniture also lets homeowners customise and improvise designs. Decorative touches such as floral patterns or dotted prints can be added to give the wall cabinet areas a refreshing look. Maintaining such furniture is also relatively easy, as there is one less side to clean. However, care should be taken to prevent it from termite attacks or flaking, as this might mean that the entire furniture needs to be remodeled.

The major disadvantage of built-in furniture is that it cannot be moved even if one shifts to another place and a favourite piece of furniture might have to be left behind. Elaborating on its disadvantages, Joshi says, “Once it is fixed, it cannot be altered, so even if one really wants to move it to another place, it is impossible.“ Similarly, if one wants to add on or elaborate the existing furniture, it is difficult as the entire construction has to be modified. Also, as a family grows or changes, the earlier furniture may no longer be practical.

source:Himalayan News Service(2011),"For built-in Comfort:Customised Furniture fits every desire and budget", The Himalayan Times,6 August 2011