So helpful, thanks!

I wonder if anyone on this board has tried to build something like this themselves?

I had something very similar built although in a smaller room so not as many bookcases on either side of the desk -more like 1 bookcase/cabinet combo on either side. The cost was $2K more than 10 years ago.

I find the desk very comfortable to work at - no issues with leg room. I think the point made about facing the wall is a good point to consider though it doesn't bother me. I also don't find leg room to be an issue although in my installation the desktop curves out several inches from cabinet/shelf depth.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not hack or DIY, had it built by a professional:

Ken Turner - https://turner-renovations.com/

Oh, those look nice. What kind of shelves did you get, and how much was it (ballpark?)

4 cabinets underneath, 3 shelves each, above 5 shelves on each side with large opening for TV in the middle, 1 shelf below the TV (cable box, in the old days vcr player amd then xbox), 1 above (DHsdad's, kids video games), those are all hidden behind doors that close, 2 shelves above that. It was about 12 years ago, was about 5k, and still looks fabulous.

Anonymous wrote:Can anyone recommend cabinet makers who do this type of thing, not too expensively, in the DC area?

I looked a few months ago and was unsuccessful. People either didn’t respond or one guy estimated like $2500 to build a bench under a window— just the bench, not any built ins. (And not a bay window, just a normal window. I ended up just buying something that wasn’t quite the right size but was 1/10 the cost)

I think demand right now is high and prices reflect that. If people can command those prices in the market, good for them.

Can anyone recommend cabinet makers who do this type of thing, not too expensively, in the DC area?

Anonymous wrote:My dad has a setup like that. I guess if space is a premium it's ok. But personally, I can't stand facing a wall like that and being so close to it. Looks like you can't even move your feet. Keep that in mind.

In my home office, I have the built-in bookcases and cabinets behind me, but the desk is standalone so I can actually move around and see the door and windows outside.

Oh that's a good point. I'm already facing the wall as it is, with windows on the sides, but I hadn't thought about the leg movement aspect. I guess I'd have to build a desk that's deep enough.

Anonymous wrote:My dad has a setup like that. I guess if space is a premium it's ok. But personally, I can't stand facing a wall like that and being so close to it. Looks like you can't even move your feet. Keep that in mind.

In my home office, I have the built-in bookcases and cabinets behind me, but the desk is standalone so I can actually move around and see the door and windows outside.

Maybe a pull out flat desk tray would be better if you're stuck at one wall. Not sure what that's called.

My dad has a setup like that. I guess if space is a premium it's ok. But personally, I can't stand facing a wall like that and being so close to it. Looks like you can't even move your feet. Keep that in mind.

In my home office, I have the built-in bookcases and cabinets behind me, but the desk is standalone so I can actually move around and see the door and windows outside.

I would worry that an Ikea shelf would eventually buckle if you're using it for heavy books. That's what happened to our mdf shelves. Decorative, it's probably fine.

my daughter and SIL made something sort of like this with ikea products for under 1k.

i had a friend have a big builtin made similar. it was 4-5k.

I don't mind built in bookcases but I want to be able to move my desk now and then.

Anonymous wrote:Not hack or DIY, had it built by a professional:

Ken Turner - https://turner-renovations.com/

Oh, those look nice. What kind of shelves did you get, and how much was it (ballpark?)

Not hack or DIY, had it built by a professional:

Ken Turner - https://turner-renovations.com/

I want to build a custom wall of bookshelves + desk, something like the links below, I'm fine to keep it simple without lights or complicated pull-outs. There are various tutorials online, on how to build these from scratch or via Ikea hacks. Has anyone done this in the DMV? Where did you buy your parts and did you get any professional help with assembly? Did it work out ok?

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/272819689900563941/