dining room built-in: to do or not

[Anonymous]

Our next door neighbors, whose house is the same build as ours, went on a frenzy and added built-in storage all over their house. When they put the house up for sale and we toured it, the built-ins made the rooms feel so much smaller than ours. They definitely got some good storage while they lived there, but I couldn’t help but wonder what potential buyers thought as they toured the cramped rooms. So… since you’re selling soon I don’t think you should do this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again... this is the type of built-in we priced out. A row of bottom cabinets along the 13' wall, with two towers of shelving going up to the ceiling at either end. Would you rip this out if you buy this house?

Yes in a dining room. I really think nice furniture is a better look. Built-ins come in and out of fashion, but always feel a little gimmicky. Definitely feels like the previous owner asserting themselves.

[Anonymous]

What did you decide OP? We're deciding on some built-ins now.

[Anonymous]

Not OP, but we're designing built-ins now for each side of the dining room doorway - one side would look more like furniture with glass door uppers and the other would be a coffee/ beverage station with upper open shelving. Probably will do a different finish than the kitchen cabinets.

[Anonymous]

I love it - but then I actually own and read books.
We sold a condo with amazing wall to wall, floor to ceiling built ins like the ones posted (cabinets below, shelves above) and the new owners ripped them out because there’s only so much bric a brac you could put on the shelves.