Everyday the internet forces me to ask the question: am I too old for this shit?

And today it’s in relation to… built-in storage.

@lizpacini

RIP to the 90’s feature wall were you here when I DIYed this fireplace reno?! 🙋🏻‍♀️ I wanted more accessible toy storage in the bottom + minimalistic floating shelves up top! Both kids and mom are happy 😂👏🏻 full tutorial is saved to my IG story highlight called “fireplace” 🔥 #diyhome #fireplace #livingroomdesign #diyfireplace #livingroomstyle #modernfarmhouse #coastalhome #floatingshelves #fixerupper #livingroominspo #livingroomdecor

♬ original sound – Liz Pacini

Young home owners are ripping out their expensive built-in cabinets because they simply cannot live with the ugliness.

My whole life I’ve been taught that built in storage, cabinets, wardrobes etc. are a luxury item that elevates a home.

It’s a classy shell to store endless junk. Or if you have glass paned built-ins then it acts like a high end department store showcasing all your junk.

Liz Pacini on TikTok posted a short video of her living room DIY where she ripped out her so called “90’s” built-ins and replaced it with an electronic fireplace and floating shelves.

To be fair Liz’s wall was ugly. Her built-ins did not look well done, they looked like plywood boxes stuck to the middle of the wall. And the final product looks beautiful.

But is she right? Are built-ins a 90’s trend I should be embarrassed by now?

Floating shelves and minimalistic walls have been popular for a few years but I assumed it was a solution for filling a space where you couldn’t afford built-ins.

A way to modernise your living room while still valuing a built-in primary suite wardrobe.

Are open concept shelves replacing the style completely? Someone with design sense please let me know.

If given the choice between floating shelves and built-in cabinets I’m choosing built-ins every single time. Does that make me old? Or does it just mean I have a different style preference?

No matter how hard I try I cannot get onboard with open shelving. It’s a contradiction.

You install small, simple shelves with the goal of owning a handful of items and cutting back on clutter. But it only looks attractive if you use carefully chosen, useless knick knacks instead of your own belongings.

The space is wasted and you’ve done the one thing you wanted to avoid.

Instead you could just have a couple of perfectly fitting cupboards that keep everything (or nothing, you can leave them empty) within reach while still looking neat and clean without much effort.

Which one would you choose? Built-ins or open shelving?