The design of cabinets and shelves is fundamental for the composition of the interior of a house. Their functions can be the most diverse - home libraries, storage, artwork and decorative elements display -, but with a little architectural ingenuity it is possible to make them protagonists, adding not only an aesthetic value to the room, but making the environment more versatile. Therefore, we have separated some tips and references to inspire your next project.
Versatility
Usually, for economic reasons and ease of execution, the shelves are designed as modular elements. The fact that these elements do not need to be fixed is not always taken into account, and it is possible to use modulation to bring more versatility and a playful tone to the space.
JR House / Pascali Semerdjian Arquitetos
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 15 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/410e/79c4/891c/2dec/58c4/medium_jpg/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_2.jpg?1661288739)
Apartamento Consolação / Canoa Arquitetura
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 17 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/410c/79c4/891c/2dec/58c2/newsletter/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_3.jpg?1661288731)
Integrated Furniture
Developing interior architecture often involves designing the furniture that will set the tone of the space. In this case, it can be completely attached to the structure, transforming the environment depending on whether it is open or closed, and even serve as dividers between spaces. The chosen materials are another point of attention, which can contrast with the architecture itself or create different dialogues with the decorative components, as well as the angle of the mullions, which, by not being perpendicular, can bring a different rhythm to the space.
Kitnet Copan / Garoa
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 1 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/4109/79c4/891c/2dec/58bf/newsletter/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_1.jpg?1661288723)
Apartamento Perdizes / AS Design Arquitetura
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 2 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/410a/79c4/891c/2dec/58c0/medium_jpg/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_13.jpg?1661288720)
Hotel na Travessa / depA architects
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 9 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/410b/79c4/891e/e189/e61f/newsletter/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_14.jpg?1661288736)
Apartamento MV / Nildo José
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 11 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/410c/dfb6/3112/b560/6e8b/medium_jpg/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_16.jpg?1661288719)
Big Space, Little Space / Davidson Rafailidis
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 12 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/4109/79c4/891c/2dec/58be/newsletter/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_17.jpg?1661288719)
House Renovation JM55 / BURR Studio
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 13 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/410c/dfb6/3112/b560/6e8c/medium_jpg/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_18.jpg?1661288734)
KAPO / Bruna Caldas
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 14 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/410c/79c4/891e/e189/e620/medium_jpg/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_19.jpg?1661288729)
Garden/House / MAMM DESIGN
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 16 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/410e/dfb6/3118/ca5c/1c69/newsletter/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_20.jpg?1661288734)
Compose With the Stairs
Another way to develop furniture together with architecture is to create a composition next to the stairs. After all, vertical circulation tends to leave some areas around it idle. Using them to create storage spaces or shelves to store books or place plants can bring a different atmosphere to the environment.
Gama House / Studio ArquitetUras
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 18 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/4107/79c4/891c/2dec/58bd/medium_jpg/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_4.jpg?1661288715)
Casa SAA / aste arquitectura
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 5 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/4109/dfb6/3112/b560/6e87/medium_jpg/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_5.jpg?1661288725)
Barn House / Inês Brandão Arquitectura
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 19 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/410d/79c4/891c/2dec/58c3/medium_jpg/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_6.jpg?1661288728)
Residential Extension in Kanamachi / SO&CO
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 20 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/410a/dfb6/3112/b560/6e89/newsletter/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_7.jpg?1661288721)
Apartamento NK / Nildo José
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 4 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/410b/dfb6/3112/b560/6e8a/newsletter/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_8.jpg?1661288723)
Other Functions
It is always possible to open up the possibilities of furniture and add functions not previously imagined for them, such as adding a bench that works as an office or including a seat in the middle of a library - in this case, placing it close to openings that exist in architecture, it not only enhances a connection between interior and exterior, but also brings more natural light into the space.
Apartamento FT / Shinagawa arquitetura
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 10 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/4110/79c4/891c/2dec/58c5/newsletter/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_15.jpg?1661288735)
Tiny Second Home in Urban / mundoehoje
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 7 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/410c/dfb6/3118/ca5c/1c68/newsletter/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_11.jpg?1661288726)
Pinghe Bibliotheater / OPEN Architecture
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 3 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/4111/79c4/891c/2dec/58c6/newsletter/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_9.jpg?1661288740)
Escola Carandá Vivavida / Königsberger Vannucchi Arquitetos Associados
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 6 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/410a/79c4/891c/2dec/58c1/newsletter/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_10.jpg?1661288730)
Escola Red House Villa-Lobos / Studio dLux
![Shelves and Cabinets: 20 Creative Examples - Image 8 of 20](https://images.adsttc.com/media/images/6305/4109/dfb6/3112/b560/6e88/newsletter/estantes-e-armarios-20-exemplos-criativos-para-estes-mobiliarios_12.jpg?1661288730)
Editor's Note: This article was originally published on September 13, 2022