Project Spotlight: Alcove Cupboards & Shelving for a Lounge in Burley

This recent project was all about balance — between style and function, everyday family life and something a little more grown-up. The brief came from a family in Burley who wanted to transform their formal lounge into a calm, elegant space — somewhere to unwind in the evenings once the kids were in bed, and to enjoy with friends on weekends.

The Design

The room had two small alcoves either side of a fireplace, and the client was keen to make the most of them. They needed space to store logs and fire accessories, but also wanted to display items collected on their travels — so the design had to be both practical and visually striking.

The client had a clear preference for symmetry, so we worked to create balance between the two alcoves, even though each would serve a slightly different purpose. To complement two large arched windows at the far end of the room, I suggested soft, curved tops to the doors and drawer fronts — which added a subtle nod to the architectural features. For texture and visual interest, we incorporated fluted fronts across both units, which gave the cabinetry a refined, tactile quality.

One of the alcoves featured traditional doors. The other had a drawer front which mirrored these doors, and contained a generous oak dovetail drawer and an internal shelf for kindling, matches, and other fireplace essentials.

Materials & Finishes

The materials were chosen for durability and warmth, but also to keep the overall look clean and refined:

• Doors and drawer fronts: lacquered MDF in Farrow & Ball’s Stiff Key Blue (matt finish)

• Back and side panels: white lacquer in Little Greene’s Loft White

• Tops and shelves: solid European oak with a subtle lime-washed finish

• Internals: melamine board with lacquered upper carcass and matching fillers

  
  

We used Finsa Hidrofugo MDF for its moisture resistance and stability, paired with Blum soft-close inset hinges and Hettich 4D runners for a smooth, robust finish. Brass button handles were from Armac Martin, for a classic profile and quality feel.

Lighting for Alcove Cupboards & Shelving

Lighting plays a big part in setting the mood of the space. For these alcoves, we installed dimmable warm LED ribbon lighting from Häfele, mounted discreetly at the back of each shelf. This gave a gentle wash of light across the objects on display, avoiding harsh shadows and keeping the atmosphere soft and welcoming. The lighting was wired into the room’s main dimmer switch for ease of use.

Standout Features

• Fluted curved doors and drawer front for interest and wow factor

• Sympathetic asymmetry: a drawer unit designed to mirror the cupboard doors opposite

• Oak dovetail drawer for log storage, with internal shelf for kindling and accessories

• Integrated dimmable shelf lighting, understated and practical

• Careful colour pairing between bold blue and soft white for contrast and calm

  
  

"We love our new bespoke alcove cabinets. Douglas is very professional and friendly. He worked with us to create a design we love. The installation took only 2 days and the result is amazing. I highly recommend Tekton Interiors."

5-star Google review

Materials & Suppliers:

• LED Lighting: Häfele

• Blum Hinges

• Finsa MDF

• Hettich Drawer Runners

• Armac Martin Handles

• Farrow & Ball – Stiff Key Blue

• Little Greene – Loft White

  
  

Interested in alcove cupboards and shelving for your home? Douglas works with homeowners across West Yorkshire to create fitted furniture that blends craft, character and careful thinking. Book a free design visit to get your project started.