Away With Disposable Furniture
Before something new can become part of House 173, the old shelves that served faithfully for decades finally come down.
Humble Beginnings
It's weird..the things I find myself getting nostalgic about these days. For years I looked at the Sauder bookcases in the dining room as just what they were - inexpensive beginner furniture. But now - I find myself reflecting on all those shelves have seen. After all, they predated the purchase of 173. When we got them, they were actually a little more than we could afford. Having just left the military, entering college, and living in Horseheads (yes, you read that right), NY we were living check-to-check. But we have always been bibliophiles, and wanted some shelves the lend them a little dignity. I don't even remember where they were purchased, but they looked better than anything we had. And you know what? They really didn't look bad...
Taking Them Apart
They just always looked temporary. Those bookcases have been around for some 25 years, and in the dining room at 173 for all 20 we've been here! But no longer. They are no more. All that remains are the remnants...
I saved the sides of the two tall bookcases, figure they're pretty solid MDF and I can use em around the workshop. And now, the dining room looks empty for the first time since '97:
Furniture and food are ways that people define their attitude toward life. – Terence Conran
Those shelves witnessed far more than rows of books. They stood through college years, first jobs, holidays, ordinary Tuesday dinners, and all the quiet moments that eventually become the story of a home. They never became heirlooms, and they were never particularly fashionable, but they were always there. Funny how furniture that was supposed to be temporary quietly becomes part of the family.
And of course, the table is a storage spot for the time being...
Looks so sad right now.
So, now I'm committed...there's no turning back!
See ya next time!
George
This one caught me off guard. I expected a post about tearing out furniture. Instead, it reminded me of the cheap bookcase sitting in my own house.It wobbles a little. It's been moved four times. The veneer has chipped in a couple places.I've talked about replacing it for years. But after reading this, I realized it's held every favorite book I've ever owned.Maybe that's what House 173 does so well.It reminds us that the value of something isn't measured by what it cost, it grows quietly over the years, one ordinary day at a time. - A First-Time Homeowner
Frequently Asked Questions
Why replace perfectly good bookcases with custom built-ins?
Freestanding bookcases are flexible and affordable, but custom built-ins maximize storage, better fit the room, and can become an architectural feature that looks original to the house.
Is inexpensive furniture worth keeping for decades?
Absolutely. Furniture doesn't have to be expensive to become meaningful. Pieces that serve faithfully through multiple homes and seasons of life often become sentimental regardless of their original cost.
Why remove everything before beginning a built-in?
Starting with an empty wall makes measuring easier, exposes any repairs that need attention, and allows the builder to visualize proportions before construction begins.
Should old particleboard furniture be discarded?
Not always. Even inexpensive furniture can provide useful materials. Shelves and side panels often become shop jigs, temporary work surfaces, storage dividers, or other workshop projects.
Keywords
Sauder bookcase, dining room built-in, removing bookcases, DIY built-in project, custom bookshelves, House 173, affordable furniture, home renovation, built-in fireplace, woodworking project