Lara’s Process: 10 Steps for Unique Custom Built-Ins
Just a few of Lara's various built-in designs for clients.
Designing custom built-ins for clients is a huge part of my interior design business and I absolutely love creating them! When done properly, custom built-ins look fantastic and are amazingly functional. They maximize storage space and help to keep things neat and organized. I’ve created many gorgeous mudroom units, TV units, book shelves, pretty window seat benches, fireplace mantels, playroom storage units, dining banquettes, you name it, I’ve done it! Well designed built-ins will enhance your life, your spaces, and also increase the value of your home.
What makes it so much fun for me as an interior designer, is that magic little word “custom." Like what a blank canvas is to a painter...the creative possibilities are almost endless! I like to add unique LED lighting, stunning countertops, contrasting colors, beautiful wallpaper, fabrics, leather, nail heads, inlaid metals, interesting hardware, or other unique materials. I'm only constrained by the dimensions of the room and budget.
So how do I come up with my built-in designs? It’s always a process! As with all of my processes, a ton of thought, communication, and planning go into it...
This gorgeous office built-in unit also features Lara's custom marble fireplace mantel, fabricated & installed by Lara's incredible team.
Lara's 10 Steps for Custom Built-ins:
1Meet with clients to review their needs, style preferences, and any finish/color ideas they have in mind for their built-ins. And of course, ask lots of questions: what kind of storage do you need for this unit/room? Do you need any special items like pull-out shelves, pull-out hampers, garbage bins, baskets, cubbies, hooks, etc.. Do you have an overall style, feel, and look you want to achieve or match to your current home decor? The idea is to gather as much information as possible so I can create the best units possible for my clients. My motto is, the more info I have, the better!
2Measure! Nothing can be designed until I have accurate measurements of the walls and the floor area that the units will be built into. The drawing of the walls to scale, are called elevations, and the scale drawing of the floor is called the floor plan. I will need the elevations and floor plan to start my built-ins designs. This is true for all our clients that are in Westchester NY, Greenwich CT, or for any other areas around the country.
Initial drawing for Lara's custom bar design.
3Once I have the accurate elevations and floor plan, and the information gathered from my clients, I start creating and drawing the design of the built-ins. This is the really fun part! These drawings will show all the details of the units, both inside and outside. They will also show the materials and finishes to be used for the units so client's can get a great idea of what the finished product will look like.
4Gather the materials & finish samples used in my design as needed. If I’m specifying a certain countertop material, or have some great finishes in mind for the unit, I get the samples of those to show my clients. Sometimes photos will suffice, so I will gather those too for them to review.
Lara's team creates 3D color renderings to convey her designs to clients.
5Get feedback and make any tweaks! After designing the built-ins, I review the sketches and samples with my clients for their thoughts, questions, and feedback. Based on their comments, I will make any necessary adjustments to the designs.
6Upon approval of a final design, we are ready to get estimates and make real finish samples. The drawings I create are used to get accurate quotes from my carpenter. If a specific countertop material is needed, the drawings are also used to get quotes for those too. If lighting is incorporated into the built-ins, the electrician can quote from the drawings as well. This will allow us to get a total cost of the unit as well as a time line of how long it will take to build and install. Now you can see how important having accurate drawings are!
7Engage a carpenter and other trades people as needed, approve finish samples, and start building, yay! Depending on the unit size, build times will vary. I love working with my local trades people because they work very quickly and efficiently. I have never waited more then 6 weeks, even for the largest units and on occasion when I need a rush job, they’ve always come through. Also, being local means I can check up on their work easily to make sure all is going to plan, plus I save my clients from hefty long distance delivery fees. Fixes are also much easier and quicker when working with local tradesmen. My local guys not only do a fantastic job, but come back within days to make any necessary fixes….to me, this is a no brainer!
8Order any other components, such as countertop materials, hardware, lighting, etc. and add them to the work schedule.
9Oversee the production of the unit and any other components, such as the countertop materials, hardware, lighting, etc., ensuring everyone stays on schedule.
10Coordinate and oversee the delivery and installation of the built-in unit, countertop, lighting, etc., to ensure all goes well and then schedule any necessary fixes or adjustments as needed. Because custom built items are hand made and walls and ceilings are never 100% straight, you can expect that a few minor adjustments will be needed to your built-ins after they're installed. Good, experienced carpenters are used to making these minor adjustments and should resolve them quickly and efficiently. This is why I only deal with absolute professionals in their crafts and who will stand by their work without any hassles.
I hope you enjoyed learning about my process to create awesome custom built-ins! If you're interested in learning more, please contact me or leave a comment in the box below. I'd love to hear from you!
Happy Designing!
Lara's bar design comes to life!
5 Comments
So informative. That bar built in looks incredible.
Thanks Matthew, the bar was indeed a challenge but clients love how it turned out
Which materials do you typically recommend/use for these custom designs?
Hi Migena, thanks for your great question. It all depends on our clients needs and wishes and what the built-ins are being used for. Each design is different so it varies greatly. We use lots of great wood finishes in colors appropriate to the design and for countertops natural stone or quartz materials are mostly selected depending on what the built-in is being used for. Contact us if you have a project in mind and we’d be happy to help more! XO Lara
Nice post, we need some living room & dining room built-ins made, what’s best way to discuss with your firm?