How to Design Built-in Cabinets for a Small Den

Search through all of the available materials used in built-in cabinets. Choose your main type, such as wood or metal. Decide what the finish will be, such as stained cherry or painted bright white.

Consider all of the activities that are done in the den. For example, you might use it as a small home office, your husband will use it as a reading room and your kids will do their homework there. Include in the plans enough cabinets to store all of the materials that are needed to complete your the family's tasks or hobbies.

Decide how much closed cabinetry and how much open display space that you want in the built-ins. For example, include custom open shelving over your desk area to connect floor-to-ceiling built-in cabinets on either side of it. Other options include alternating closed cabinets and opened cabinets around the room for symmetry.

Design the inside of your cabinetry to perfectly organize your items. For example, plan for roll-out shelves for easy access to computer paper or other office supplies. Hang dowel rods inside a cabinet from which to hang fabric or wallpaper.

Include storage options in your plans for the open cabinetry as well. For example,allow room enough to place decorative baskets or vintage tins for holding magazines or smaller items. Design the shelves to showcase your display collections, such as grooves cut into the bottoms to hold plates or pictures upright.

Decide what kind or doors and drawers you will want in your den's built-ins. For example, solid doors hide everything, while doors with decorative glass inserts add dimensions and texture to the look. Other options include frosted glass, stained glass or a mixture of different doors for contrast.

Design the finishing touches of your built-in cabinets, such as hardware choices and moldings. For example, pair simple contemporary molding with silver knobs for a modern style. Other options include pairing intricate moldings with crystal or porcelain knobs for a more feminine feel or the same moldings with black iron pulls for a masculine look.