BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
I get what you’re saying about the practical side of things. I used to drool over those open-concept kitchens in magazines, thinking I’d finally have enough space to host everyone and their dog. Fast forward to actually living in one... turns out, all that openness just means my dirty dishes are on display from every angle, and there’s nowhere to hide the recycling bin. Not exactly the “dream” I had in mind.
Honestly, if I had to start from scratch, I’d probably go for something in between. Maybe a semi-open plan? Like, keep the kitchen and living room connected but still have a wall or two to break things up. My wallet would thank me too—knocking down every wall isn’t cheap, and adding storage after the fact costs even more. Learned that the hard way after trying to squeeze a pantry into a corner that was never meant for one.
I do get why people love the open look, though. It feels modern and bright, and it’s great for keeping an eye on kids or chatting with guests while cooking. But there’s something to be said for having a spot to stash all the random stuff life throws at you—mops, shoes, backpacks, whatever. And don’t even get me started on noise... my partner works from home now, and let’s just say Zoom calls and blender smoothies don’t mix.
Maybe it’s just me getting older (or cheaper), but these days I’m way more into built-ins and nooks than I ever thought I’d be. They might not make it onto the cover of a design magazine, but they save my sanity—and my budget—in the long run.
BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
I get the appeal of built-ins and nooks, but honestly, I’ve seen a lot of folks regret not going more open once their kids got older or they started entertaining more. Those walls you keep for “storage” can end up making everything feel cramped, especially in smaller homes. And about the noise—solid core doors on an office or a pocket door for the kitchen can do wonders without closing off the whole space. Just my two cents from seeing a lot of remodels go both ways...
BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
Funny, I’ve been through this exact debate with clients more times than I can count. There’s always that initial excitement about custom nooks, built-in benches, or even those little “mudroom” cubbies. They look great on paper and in the first few years, especially when kids are small and you’re desperate for any kind of storage. But I’ve watched families grow out of them faster than you’d think.
One project comes to mind—a young couple wanted a cozy reading nook and a wall of built-ins in their living room. Fast forward six years, their kids are teenagers, and suddenly that same space felt boxed in. They started hosting more friends, needed room for game nights, and those built-ins became more of a barrier than a feature. We ended up demoing half the wall to open things up again. It was a bit of a “live and learn” moment for all of us.
That said, I do think there’s a balance. Open concept is great for flexibility, but sometimes it can feel like you’re living in a giant echo chamber—especially if you’ve got hardwood floors and high ceilings. I’ve seen some clever solutions with sliding panels or even movable shelving units that give you the option to close off spaces when you need to, without committing to permanent walls.
And yeah, solid core doors are underrated. People don’t realize how much sound they block until they try them. I’m also a fan of pocket doors for tight spots—saves space and keeps things feeling connected.
If I had to start over? I’d probably lean toward fewer permanent built-ins and more adaptable spaces. Maybe some floating shelves or modular furniture that can evolve as your needs change. It’s wild how quickly life shifts and how much that impacts what you want from your home...
BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
We’re about a year into our custom build, and I already see what you mean about built-ins. We did a big window seat in the dining area, thinking it’d be this cozy spot for reading or extra guests. It’s nice, but honestly, it’s mostly just a dumping ground for backpacks and random stuff now. I keep wondering if we should’ve just left that wall open and used a bench or something movable.
I get the appeal of built-ins, but I’m starting to think flexibility matters more than I realized. Our needs are already shifting—my partner started working from home, so now we’re eyeing every nook as potential office space. If I could do it again, I’d probably skip most of the permanent features and focus on things we can rearrange or swap out as life changes.
Totally agree on solid core doors, by the way. We cheaped out on a couple and regret it every time someone’s on a Zoom call. Live and learn...
BUILDING BASE STRUCTURES—WHAT IF YOU HAD TO START OVER?
I get the appeal of built-ins, but I’m starting to think flexibility matters more than I realized.
I hear you on the flexibility thing, but I’ll admit I’m still a bit torn. Built-ins can be a pain if your needs change, but they also add a kind of character and function you just don’t get with freestanding stuff. I’ve seen so many homes where people regret not having enough storage or a spot that feels “finished.” Sometimes those permanent features end up being the thing that makes a space feel intentional, you know?
That said, I do think it’s easy to overdo it. I’ve worked with folks who wanted built-ins everywhere—benches, shelves, nooks—and then a few years later, their lifestyle shifted and suddenly all those custom spots felt like obstacles. But on the flip side, I’ve also seen people try to keep everything super open and flexible, and then their rooms just feel kind of... temporary? Like nothing really belongs.
Your window seat turning into a dumping ground is super relatable. But honestly, even movable benches or chairs can end up as clutter magnets if there isn’t a plan for storage. Sometimes it’s less about the built-in itself and more about how you use it (or don’t). Maybe adding baskets or drawers underneath could help reclaim that space?
I guess what I’m getting at is: there’s no perfect answer. Permanent features can be great if they’re thoughtfully placed and serve multiple purposes. But yeah, life changes fast—so maybe the trick is to design for both: a few well-chosen built-ins for structure, and leave some areas open for whatever comes next.
And yes, solid core doors are 100% worth it. The sound difference is wild. Every time someone tries to take a call in our house with those hollow doors, it’s like they’re in the same room...