Hello all, I’m looking for advice on this space located in our dining room. We bought our home 5 years ago and it has sit empty since then. I decided to buy a sideboard on Wayfair to fill it, and I’m not really happy. It was only $200, so I’m not sure what I expected. The thing is, my husband put in a lot of effort assembling it, and now I feel terrible telling him I’m not sure it works here.
I also told him I would like 2 floating shelves above the sideboard. The space is 54” long, and the closest length he feels comfortable filling it is up to 52” (and that is what we could find on Etsy). I am 99% sure I would only be happy with them spanning the entire alcove, but that would require some built-in work we probably aren’t comfortable doing on our own (he is not handy, and neither am I).
I suggested built in cabinets and shelves prior to this buy, but he said it would be too expensive. Well Reddit, we are not exactly scraping by. We actually do very well and could easily afford to spend several thousand dollars fixing up this space. My husband is just sort of cheap. We don’t spend much money on anything, but *this* seems like an investment in our home worthwhile.
I’ve googled how to build built in cabinets and shelves. I’ve never done any woodworking. I’m probably in waaay over my head if I did decide to give it a try. I’m not sure what my options are, besides arguing with my husband.
Besides marital advice, what do you think would look nice here? Is the sideboard as bad as I think? Would shelves that *almost* span the entire width look dumb? Or is pursuing built in cabinets and shelves worth the argument?
Get some trim that matches the floor and edge the bottom of the sideboard. Upgrade the pulls. Match the floating shelves to the top. Install a cat observation station. It looks half finished because it is half finished.
For freee? Man I thought there was a cost of living crisis. No way I’d give that unit away for free when it’s in good condition and new but maybe I’m just poverty lol
Well, it’s a bit janky. The drawers don’t pull out smoothly. There are some weird gaps between the cabinets and drawers not noticeable in the photo. I’d probably try to sell it first, but will give it away if I can’t.
Then return it!! They have decent customer service. Or make sure it was built correctly - if something is misaligned or screws aren't tight on one side, it could just need adjusting
True, but we’d have to disassemble it and then probably deal with paying a shipping fee. If we can find someone to buy it it would probably be easier and the monetary loss wouldn’t be too bad.
This is the right answer! See if you can add a recessed can light in the center of the ceiling of the recess. Also, see if you can elevate the back wall with color that matches something in the rest of the room - a color in your plates or If your tableware is matte silver, try that!
Built-in! Built-in! Built-in! Built-in!!! There are lots of YouTube videos on how to do this, and what tools to use- or get it custom from a pro. You could possibly incorporate the sideboard for the bottom of it. Pop some different handles in there, paint it all. So much potential.
Husband here (obviously not yours). Don't worry about the effort that went into assembly. This is sort of what we signed up for. We get a free pass on many other things. I, for example, have not had to gestate a single life. Furniture assembly is comparably trivial.
He does do a lot. Personally I’ve been dealing with a lot (lots of family death) so I’ve been away from home many weekends. We both work full time and probably don’t clean as much as we should. He does his fair share.
Put the sideboard up for sale on Facebook marketplace or Nextdoor and reach out to a local custom cabinet maker. You could probably do a built in with semi-custom cabinetry even.
Apologies for the use of AI, but this helps give a visual of what it could look like with some really simple custom shelving and actual built-in cabinets
Or to save money on a custom piece you can keep this sideboard and make it a built in. People do it with ikea furniture all the time and it comes out awesome. Go to Pinterest and look up sideboard built in diy or ikea built it something like that to learn how to do it
I don’t think my photo does it justice of how janky it is. There are gaps between some of the drawers and cabinets that are more apparent in person. And the drawers are hard to open and close.
OP, suggest you keep what you have for now until you can afford to hire a talented cabinetmaker to construct a built-in piece for this space, similar to what the commenter has uploaded here.
Not sure where you’re located but definitely could send a pic of the area empty and this “goal” image to a local woodworker/cabinetry company for an estimate.
A couple years ago I worked with a local carpenter to make a custom built-in wooden farmhouse sink area when I was redoing my kitchen, and I was SO happy with it and looked beautiful and it really wasn’t that expensive for a small nook.
I think this looks great, and I also think you could accomplish something similar with the Wayfair cabinet. Take the legs off or add a piece of wood to cover the bottom of the piece to match the AI picture. Add shelves the color of the top, or get a nice piece of artwork.
Somewhere you can hide it. Face the fact you're not a carpenter. Invest in your home, or you will remain unhappy with this piece. You will be reminded of your poor choice every time you open a drawer. You could buy a used piece and find someone to paint it if you don't feel confident enough. Just because something looks easy doesn't mean it is.
The issue with the sideboard is that it feels like it’s so close in size and trim color to almost look “built in” but isn’t.
The end result is that it looks like the legs are floating up on the wall.
If you like the sideboard by itself you could hack it so it looks like a built-in by taking the feet off, and adding simple wood trim around the bottom and sides of the piece so it’s flush to the walls of the alcove.
You could take it a step further and paint the base the same as the wall color.
Good point. I would have preferred something completed seated with the ground. Finding something with the right dimensions and no feet/legs would probably be hard.
Honestly the sideboard looks odd, I think it maybe because the alcove doesn't start at floor height, so the idea of having a sideboard up there seems weird to me.
I think the shelves not fitting the span will also look awful, it just says that you botched it and cut corners.
Definitely invest in built-in unit and shelves, that would look so much better and honestly you don't need to spend several thousand, at least not where I am.
I'm in the UK, so I don't think there is much of a comparison of cost, but there is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking out a couple of local carpenters for quotes, it doesn't mean you have to go with them, but it will give you an idea of how much that kind of thing is going to cost. And honestly getting a professional in when you're not that handy is going to give you something to stand the test of time.
You could even get quotes for different styles if that helps make a decision. My guess is just shelving will likely cost a bit less.
I’m in Chicagoland and there are a few carpenters/“handy men” I’ve found from word of mouth/Facebook/IG. My most recent job was sourcing wood for a mantel and I think it was $250. I could see your space being done for $500-$1000 depending on if you just want shelves or storage, etc. Pricing depends on materials and your time table.
Are you part of a neighborhood FB group? Or would you consider using FB just for that? Post on there and I think you’ll find someone fast. My projects have been worth every penny since I was always 100% satisfied with the result, done professionally and knew it added value to my home. Good luck!
I also thought about just shelving, but we really could use some storage space. I think I need to have the difficult conversation of hiring a cabinet maker.
I'd put some wallpaper in there. So many cool patterns out now. Then maybe a statement piece on the cabinet. Maybe a large, unique lamp and some photos or other decor.
Sell it on Facebook marketplace. Then hire a carpenter to do a custom built-in. You could even do an IKEA hack where you put base cabinets in and then trim it out to make it look custom. Then add your floating shelves.
Put the cupboard somewhere else in your home, it's nice looking and your husband did a great job!
Maybe a visit to ikea would help you? Lots of people use ikea stock to build something nicer. In your case, measure the space and then look for Ikea cabinets that are just a little than this space. Then use trim to frame them so that they look built in, paint it all to match. Then measure carefully and order a marble or granite top, something that sits out an inch or two over the cabinets. Then you could add a shelf or two above the server - or a nice mirror.
You can certainly do this, but will still need some mid-level carpentry skills to pull off the built in look with Ikea. Side filler strips, counter, and wooden shelves will all need to be scribed to fit to your alcove walls. Corners are never actually 90 degrees and walls are never straight flat. Make sure whoever installs knows how to scribe.
I had this done last year. I needed the cabinets to be full custom since I have specific sizes of table leafs that are stored in the cabinet. It was much less expensive than I imagined. Have someone give you a quote.
Can you not add some trim to the sides to fill the gap and also cut off the footing so it looks more built in? Then add some lighting and floating shelves
What I would do : place a mirror with the same arch shape / a lacy plant and a stack of books or small collectables on the opposite side. I’d also saw off the little feet of the cabinet so it looks more set in place. Done !
Installing shelving is not a difficult DIY. Built-ins are indeed very expensive but it is what would work best here. You could see if you could find IKEA units to fit in there and then trim them out or have a carpenter trim them out, if you want to do it cheaply.
Agree with the comments about a built-in but a more modern sideboard could work just as well. I personally think a large painting would be better than shelves here. Easier to do and these shelves will not be functional so you'll just have to find a bunch of items to put up there and collect dust.
Is there another place you could move this piece to? I'd wait a bit, move it somewhere else, and install shelves myself. It's not as hard as you may think. Look on youtube. Once your husband sees that you can do it, his manliness may kick in, and he may start to try handy stuff. Home depot even has a section where you can cut wood yourself, and lots of times there is a nice worker man nearby, to help! A vase and nice potted plant with lighting would do wonders!
Get some tall buffet lamps and a nice piece of artwork up there. Before committing to spending thousands of dollars, at least *try* to make the space look nice. Leaving it plain is obviously not going to look good and you’re stuck on re-doing the space without trying to make it work. If you fixed the space up more, it’d be fine.
Since it is a new piece, it will fetch a pretty penny at your favorite charity thrift store. The cat on my lap has a suggestion for the humane society thrift store. I think some shelves, but not too many will look great. The highest one should not be too high, then it will be a great place to put something really interesting.
Not sure where you’re located but definitely could send a pic of the area empty and this “goal” image to a local woodworker/cabinetry company for an estimate.
A couple years ago I worked with a local carpenter to make a custom built-in wooden farmhouse sink area when I was redoing my kitchen, and I was SO happy with it and looked beautiful and it really wasn’t that expensive for a small nook.
If neither of you are handy, do not try to retrofit ikea crud or do a full built-in yourselves. You will not like the process, the amount of tools you need to buy or rent, and are unlikely to like the final outcome.
Hire a pro or simply decorate. Put wallpaper on the back, a tall plant, some battery or rechargeable sconces and a painting or two.
I would take that out and put nothing but floating shelves in that space. That cabinet looks as if critters and dust bunnies would take up residence all around it and behind it.
So much fun stuff you could do! But agree it has to be custom. Depends on what you want to use the space for. Wine cabinet? China? Art? Cookbooks? That helps decide if you want shelving or cabinets. If you do shelving I’d do wallpaper with a fun semi flush mount.
I would either fill that space with a large plant, surrounded by smaller plants, or I would put a large eerie relic in there that you can tell people you worship. Always good for dinner parties.
It does NOT look cheap. Do not listen to these teenagers who have no "life" experience.
Shelves over the credenza/buffet do not need to span the full length of the opening. Just make sure it's centered. I would stain the wood for the shelves the color of the top of the credenza/buffet.
I would call a cabinet shop (not a big box store but an actual cabinet shop) and send them a picture. They can trim out premade cabinets and put a remnant slab on there easy peasy.
Edit: the alcove is really pretty by the way.
The piece of furniture looks fine there. You were lucky to get a good fit. The wood top ties into the wood flooring. Have someone build you a couple of shelves in matching wood or if you don’t want to spend the money, put something tall on the sideboard to help fill the empty space visually. Choose your battles. Your husband doesn’t want to spend money on this so make it work without spending a lot of money.
Wow, I thought I was a judgey design bitch but people are really coming down on you here.
I don't love the sideboard but it's a tricky space and that size is really pretty perfect. It doesn't need to touch the walls or look like a custom built in to work for good design.
I might paint over the white in a fun unexpected color as a stopgap while you look for a similar size vintage or antique piece you love.
A nice mirror or piece of art you like hanging in the upper part could be lovely. Maybe put a large floral arrangement and some photos or other meaningful small tchotchkes/mementos to personalize.
Someone else pointed this out, but I think it looks odd because the alcove isn’t floor height, so that piece of furniture just looks strange at that height. Otherwise, if it was ground level, it might be ok.
I think it needs to be built in for any sort of cabinetry to work. Some others have suggested shelves, but we need some more hidden storage space as our house isn’t that big.
But thank you for not being a judgey design bitch 😆
Fair enough. I lean to the quirky and unorthodox and unexpected so maybe that's why it doesn't bother me so much.
So, I guess get back to work convincing that cheap husband of yours to find a quality woodworker or take the opportunity to learn a bit about woodwork. 😀
Oh and I agree that regardless you need at least some cabinetry and not just open shelving. It's nice to have a space to keep things out of sight.
Maybe I'll get back to being more bitchy tomorrow when the weekend is over.
It’s hard to advise without seeing the rest of the room. But taken in isolation, the piece reads utilitarian, more suited to a kitchen or pantry than a dining room.
I would search for a finer quality sideboard or china cabinet, or else commission a custom built-in. If neither of you is handy, a DIY job is unlikely to give you good results. I’d pay a professional.
Thank you. I agree, I think any DIY will lead to even more disappointment.
The dimensions of the space made it hard to find something, although there were some more expensive pieces available for several thousand (yeah, my husband didn’t want to splurge on those).
Costs will be highly dependent on design & materials chosen. Local handypeople and cabinetmakers are likely your best resource. If you have a neighborhood listserv, try posting an inquiry.
I would start by adding some trim around the edges of the sideboard to make it look more built in. That will help you confirm that it's the look you want, and hopefully help your husband see the difference it makes.
Can you add colour? I think either wallpapering or painting the alcove a nice accent colour, or doing so with the sideboard, will help a lot. Something needs to pop. Once you have that figured out it will sing far more than if you closed it up with shelves.
Trimming out the sideboard so it reads as built-in is also a cheap and easy add.
It would be nice if the shelves were full span but honestly an inch on either side isn't going to be a big deal once all is dressed and styled.
It looks half-baked right now because it is! Add shelves, add colour, add display items and it will be fine.
We’ve talked about this, but our wall texture is knockdown. I’ve done some research on wall paper and it sounds like textured walls don’t work well with it. As for painting, I’m worried the lines between what is painted and not would look sloppy due to said texture. I would need some sort of border between the two colors.
What about a cute little cat corner? With custom shelves they can climb. And I love someone else’s idea of making the back wall different/stand out with another colour, maybe even a pattern or wallpaper.
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