Built-in cupboards

With space being at a premium in many modern developments and for the ultimate in clutter management, built-in cupboards are a great long-term investment. By Antonella Dési

However, not all built-in cupboards are created equal, and it is therefore important to do your homework and decide what is best for your particular needs.

Type of cupboards

Apart from your budget, one of the first things you need to determine, is what kind of built-in cupboards (BICs) are best for the space in question. There are three types of BICs, namely:

• Full carcase BICs: These have a full base, top, two sides and back panel – in other words, they boast a fully lined wardrobe interior. These cupboards are very sturdy, but they are not the best option for BICs built under sloping ceilings and they are difficult to build around any obstructions.

• Frame construction BICs: These cupboards are not fully lined – they have no ceiling and no sides, but instead, are specifically designed to fit seamlessly into a particular built-in area. They are generally constructed on-site and scribed to adjacent walls and the ceiling, therefore alleviating the need for top and side panels. If however, there is no brick wall on one side of the cupboard, then a side will be required. These BICs are ideally suited to awkward areas or fitted under sloping ceilings.

• Sliding door BICs: Fitted sliding doors are fitted to a basic frame, with no backing panel. The interiors are then made as carcase furniture and placed situ behind the sliding doors. The sliding doors can be made with a custom-made frame, which can be fitted from floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall, thereby alleviating the need for scribing panels. Alternatively, the doors need to be made with standard door widths, which are likely to overlap and are fitted using side and top scribing panels. These doors are great space-saving solutions and can actually make a room look bigger than it actually is.

Installation considerations

Before you can decide where to put your BICs, you need to know the layout of the room. So if you are involved in a new-build, be sure to draw your furniture to scale and play around with its placement in the room, until you have got it right. This will make it easier to plan the best way in which to use the available space. Also, you will need to know the style of the room, as the exterior of the BICs, including the material used, style and hardware, needs to be in sync with the room's décor.

The cost

The cost of BICs is largely dictated by the finishes you choose. There are many different materials that you can use, including solid wood, veneers, laminates, sand-blasted glass and even stainless steel. There is also a wide variety of different of hardware to choose from – these differ greatly in style and quality, and include the choice of hinges, door and drawer handles, telescopic runners, hydraulic pull-down clothes hangers, shoe and trouser holders, and so on. The price will also be determined by the time it will take to build the cupboards, the type of BICs you choose, and the size of the cupboards.

Choosing a manufacturer

Before choosing a manufacturer, be sure to visit a couple of showrooms to view the different styles, finishes and the quality of the work. Also, if possible, it is a good idea to speak to previous clients and ask them what they think of the end product and the service offered – ask each manufacturer for a few references and contact them personally for a referral. Also, many of the companies that manufacture BICs also produce kitchen cabinetry as well, and therefore it is a good idea if the company belongs to the Kitchen Specialists Association (www.ksa.co.za) – this offers great consumers protection and peace of mind. – Antonella Dési

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