Custom built in cabinets transform your living room with tailored storage, seamless style and durable finishes that match your kitchen, bathroom, laundry and wardrobes. This expert guide from Joyce Kitchens—Perth’s trusted name in custom cabinetry WA—covers design, renovation process, finishes, layouts, costs and FAQs for Australian homes.
Contents
Why choose built-in cabinets living room?
Well-designed built in cabinetry maximises storage, hides cables, frames TVs and fireplaces, and elevates the look of your open-plan living. Compared with freestanding units, built in lounge cabinets deliver better space efficiency, higher-quality hardware and a cohesive finish that ties into your kitchen renovations Perth.
- Space-smart: Custom depths and widths to suit Australian lounge rooms and AV equipment.
- Seamless style: Match your kitchen (e.g., Shaker kitchen or contemporary flat profile) for whole-home continuity.
- Durability: Moisture-resistant boards, quality edging, soft-close drawers and Blum/Häfele hardware.
- Value: Increases perceived value and reduces clutter vs off-the-shelf units.
Our WA design and renovation process
Joyce Kitchens offers end-to-end design, manufacture and installation across Perth and greater WA, with the same quality we bring to kitchens, bathrooms, laundries and wardrobe fitouts.
1) In-home consult and measure
- We assess wall straightness, skirting profiles, power and data points, ventilation needs, and sun exposure—important for WA heat.
- We confirm TV size, soundbar, gaming consoles, NBN modem/router and speaker placement.
2) Concept design and 3D visuals
- Choose from built in shelves living room, media units, living room built in bookshelves, window seats and bar cabinetry.
- Select finishes: 2‑pack paint, premium laminates, veneers, or solid timber highlights.
3) Detailed specifications
- Carcass materials, door profiles, finger-pull doors, push-to-open, or handles; cable management; LED strip lighting.
- Compliance and quality benchmarks aligned with Australian practice (see AS/NZS cabinetry standards and HIA guidelines for good workmanship).
4) Manufacture in WA and installation
- Precision CNC manufacturing for tight tolerances and reliable alignment.
- Professional installation with scribing, shadowline details and on-site adjustments for a perfect fit.
We coordinate with other trades if your living room includes a fireplace, air-con outlets or a bar sink (e.g., to match your scullery or butler’s pantry standards).
Materials and finishes
Built-in living room cabinetry can be tailored to budget and style. Below are popular options we regularly specify for Perth homes.
Cabinet carcasses
- Moisture-resistant melamine (MR board) with ABS edging – durable and cost-effective.
- Premium plywood carcasses – excellent screw-holding and stability.
Doors and drawer fronts
- 2‑pack painted (matte, satin or gloss) – ideal for Hamptons or Shaker profiles.
- High-pressure laminate (HPL) – hard-wearing, modern colours and textures.
- Timber veneer – natural warmth for living zones; suits mid-century aesthetics.
- Vinyl wrap – economical profiled look; consider heat clearances near fireplaces.
Benchtops and tops for media units
- Laminate – value, wide colour range, good for families.
- Timber/veneer – warm and tactile; oil or polyurethane finish for durability.
- Porcelain/sintered stone – premium, high heat and UV resistance; great in sunny WA rooms.
- Natural stone (e.g., granite) – robust with individual character.
- Engineered stone – note current Australian restrictions/bans; discuss compliant alternatives for your project.
Hardware and internals
- Blum or Häfele soft-close drawers and hinges for daily durability.
- Pull-out AV shelves, ventilated doors, cable ports and IR-friendly mesh panels.
- LED strip lighting with diffusers and remote dimmers.
Comparison: Engineered Stone vs Laminate (for living room tops)
| Feature | Engineered Stone (see AU ban status) | Laminate (HPL) |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Stone-like, consistent patterns | Vast range incl. stone-look, timber-look |
| Heat/UV | Good heat; check current regulations and alternatives like porcelain in WA sun | Good day-to-day; use trivets; UV-stable options available |
| Maintenance | Low-maintenance surfaces | Very easy care; replaceable at lower cost |
| Cost | Premium; availability restricted under current Australian regulations | Best-value; wide colour/texture choice |
| WA Note | Discuss legal and safe alternatives (porcelain/sintered stone, natural stone) | Excellent for family living and rentals |
Regulatory note: Australia has implemented restrictions/bans on engineered stone products. We’ll guide you to compliant, high-performance alternatives suited to Perth conditions.
Standards and guidance for cabinetry and building practice in Australia can be explored via HIA, Master Builders WA and Standards Australia.
Layouts and styles for built in shelves living room
Popular configurations
- Media wall with floating base cabinets and open shelves
- Wall-to-wall bookshelves with ladder or step-stool storage
- Window seat with drawers and side bookcases
- Fireplace flanking cabinets and overheads (follow clearance guidelines)
- Bar cabinet with wine storage and an undermount sink (if plumbed)
- Alcove units that mirror your kitchen or laundry renovation finishes
Style cues to match your home
- Shaker/Hamptons: Framed doors, satin 2‑pack, cup pulls; pairs with shaker kitchen and white engineered stone benchtop alternatives.
- Contemporary: Flat fronts, finger-pull or shadowline, matte laminates, integrated lighting.
- Scandinavian: Light timber tones, clean lines, open shelves.
- Mid-century: Walnut veneer, framed open shelving, low credenzas.
- Coastal WA: Easy-care laminates, brushed nickel handles, bright whites and ocean-inspired hues.
Real-world WA examples
Cottesloe family home: We designed wall-to-wall built in lounge cabinets with low, 450 mm-deep drawers for toys and board games; oak-look laminate tops; and adjustable shelves for art books. The finish matches the client’s Hamptons kitchen.
Mount Hawthorn townhouse: A compact media wall with ventilated doors for the amp and gaming console, integrated LED backlighting, and cable routing to a 77″ TV. The colour and handles echo the client’s laundry renovation and wardrobe doors for continuity.
Costs for built in cabinets living room in Perth and WA
Pricing varies with size, materials, hardware and site access. Typical installed price guides (incl. GST):
- Compact media unit (2.4 m wide, laminate fronts, soft-close): $3,500–$7,500
- Wall-to-wall shelving with base cabinets (3.0–4.2 m): $8,000–$18,000
- Premium 2‑pack paint, veneer or porcelain tops, complex lighting: $15,000–$30,000+
Upgrades that affect cost include 2‑pack finishes, timber veneer, porcelain/sintered stone tops, custom lighting, curved work and advanced cable management. We’ll provide a detailed, fixed proposal after measure and design.
Practical checklist: Prepare for your design appointment
- Room measurements and ceiling height
- TV size (diagonal and width), devices and speakers
- Preferred styles (Shaker, contemporary, coastal), colours and textures
- Storage list: books, games, records, display pieces, barware
- Power/data point locations; NBN modem/router; ventilation needs
- Any heat sources (fireplace, west-facing sun); window shading
- Budget range and timeline
FAQ
What depth should living room built-in cabinets be in Australia?
For media units, 420–500 mm depth suits most AV gear and cable management; bookshelves are commonly 300–350 mm. If you’re housing large amplifiers or vinyl records, we’ll size doors and shelves accordingly and allow for ventilation and power access.
How much do built in lounge cabinets cost in Perth?
As a guide, compact laminate media units start around $3,500–$7,500 installed, wall-to-wall shelving ranges $8,000–$18,000, and premium 2‑pack or veneer with porcelain tops can exceed $15,000–$30,000. We quote precisely after site measure and design.
Can you match my kitchen style (e.g., Shaker or contemporary) in the living room?
Yes. We can replicate or complement your kitchen profiles, colours and handles—from Shaker/Hamptons to flat contemporary. This creates whole-home flow across kitchen, bathroom, laundry and wardrobes.
What materials are best near a fireplace or sunny WA windows?
Use heat-tolerant, UV-stable finishes. Keep safe clearances from fireplaces, consider porcelain/sintered stone tops, and specify stable laminates or 2‑pack with appropriate substrate. We’ll advise suitable details for WA heat and sun.
Do I need approvals or to meet Australian standards?
Most living room cabinetry is exempt from council approval, but gas/fireplace works and electrical must comply with Australian standards. We work to Australian cabinetry practice and recommend guidance from HIA, Master Builders WA and Standards Australia.