18+ Creative DIY Built-In Storage Cabinet & Shelving Ideas

Customized storage can be the perfect solution to make your life easier. Not only do they save space but can also add a touch of charm and functionality to your living spaces. These doable built-in cabinet ideas will help you organize and love any room in your home.

light blue painted drawers and built-in cabinets with white counter.

*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are our own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Read our full privacy policy.

Different Ways To Build Built-In Cabinets and Shelving

Use stock cabinetry: This is one of the most economical ways to create a built-in look without spending a ton. You can add open shelving or cabinets up the wall to complete your storage space.
Ikea Hacks: You can also use premade furniture as a starting point for your built-in shelving and cabinets. We have seen a variety of built-in bookcases that don’t look like the Billy bookcase it started with.
Custom built-ins: While this is the most expensive option, you will get exactly what you want with custom cabinets made from materials that will last forever.

Where Can You Put Built-Ins

In the list below, you will see wonderful examples of built-in cabinetry and shelving in laundry rooms, home offices, living rooms, and more. If you have a blank wall, empty small space or closet you can add a customize storage space there.

www.lemonthistle.com

DIY Built In Shelving

Create a clean look and add more open storage to your home office. The best part is that you can fully design these shelves to fit your wall space. Keep them white or add a bold paint color for a really big impact.

lovelyindeed.com

IKEA Hack: DIY Built In Bookshelves with a Window seat

You won't believe the "before" picture from this DIY project. Creating a window seat in between the two built-in bookshelves was a great idea. The added addition of the lights also gives this whole room a completely fresh look while staying on budget.

DIY white built-ins along basement wall under television.

Easy DIY Budget Basement Built-In Cabinets

Create an inexpensive and one-of-kind built-in storage cabinet for all of your organizational needs. Stock upper cabinets kept this basement remodel on budget.

diydanielle.com

DIY Built In Bookshelves for the Living Room

Create a fun built-in entertainment center for your living room. Adding open shelves above the lower cabinets created a great focal point in this room. You can customize the finish to match your home decor style.

recessed wood bathroom shelving with white shiplap walls.

treefarmdesignco.com

How To Make DIY Recessed Wall Shelves

This type of recessed built-in shelving can help you utilize any space. If you are remodeling your bathroom and want more usable space consider creating your own recessed built-in shelves.

www.abbottsathome.com

Custom Living Room Built-Ins

The bold color of this closed cabinetry and shelving makes this room feel rich and inviting. By adding this much storage you no longer have to see toys and books thrown about on your floor. We love it when everything has a place to go.

items hanging in finished painted cubby mudroom closet.

Built-In Mudroom From A Closet

Take the doors off of your entryway closet and add custom shelves to fit your family's needs. This is a great option when you have limited square footage in your entryway.

savingtalents.com

Large Built-In Bookcase

By adding extra molding along the ceiling, flooring and in between bookshelves, you are able to create a more traditional look without the pricetag. The simple molding truly integrated the bookcases into the back wall. The amount of extra storage that was added to this room is unreal.

www.atlaneandhigh.com

DIY Built-Ins Using Prefab Cabinets

The stock base cabinets helped to create this built-in entertainment center. The closed cabinets are perfect for when you need to easily tuck away items, while still having a perfect place for your flat screen tv.

This peel and stick wallpaper that was used in the back was such a good idea that added a little personality in the living room without overdoing.

white nursery wooden closet shelves with baskets and clothes hanging

southernyankeediy.com

DIY Closet Shelves & Rods Under $100

Built-ins can also be use to customize a closet. This nursery closet shelving was built for under $100. Easily get organized before your little bundle of joy arrives! We also love the neutral cloth storage baskets with chalkboard labels!

stefanasilber.com

Fireplace Builtins Design and Build

It is hard to imagine this space without these built-ins around the fireplace. Everything about this design was well thought out and gives such a clean look. You would never know that the crown molding was such a pain to put up. While this DIY project took a few months, we think it was well worth it.

amber-oliver.com

Rainbow DIY Bookshelf with Built in Cabinets

This is just another great example how you can use stock cabinets and add DIY bookshelves on top. Decorating with a rainbow color scheme adds a fun eclectic twist to this space.

www.charlestoncrafted.com

DIY Butcher Block Shelves With Cabinets

The combination of stained butcher block with painted cabinets is jawdropping in this home office makeover. They completely utilized the small space by added a built-in desk with the storage.

housefulofhandmade.com

How to Build a Built in Desk

If you are looking for a detailed tutorial on building custom built-in cabinetry for a desk base, this post is for you. We can't wait to see the finished desk build soon.

pinkfortitude.com

Built-In Book Case DIY

Revamping this library and going the DIY route for built-in bookcases was totally worth the wait and effort.

www.lovelyetc.com

How to Build Easy Built-Ins from IKEA Billy Bookcases

Here is one more example of how to use a Billy bookcase for DIY built-ins (we know you needed one more example). You can see how different widths of bookcases were needed to create a custom look.

www.theaccentpiece.com

DIY Mudroom Locker Built Ins from Stock Cabinets

Here is another example of how stock cabinets can be your best friend when creating extra built-in storage for your home. The wooden bench mixed with the closed cabinetry will help this family stay organized for years to come.

www.thehandymansdaughter.com

DIY Garage Shelves with Plans

These garage shelves were just too great to not include. If you are sick of having a disorganized garage, then these are the DIY shelves for you. Easy to make and free plans are included!

red sparkly shoes on wooden garage shoe rack.

How To Make A DIY Wooden Shoe Rack

Are you sick of shoes lying around your garage floor? This simple wooden shoe organizer will give your family a place to place their shoes before coming in your door!

Related Shelving Ideas

Built-ins are a great way to add extra storage space to any room. Once you build it, you will wonder how you ever lived without it. You can never have too much storage space!