Technically, it sits somewhere in the middle, but for most homeowners it’s considered home improvement rather than full renovation. You’re not usually moving walls or changing the structure of the house; you’re just using the available space more intelligently. Built-in wardrobes, wall-to-wall shelves, window seats with storage – all of these improve how the home functions day to day.
From a practical point of view, built-ins are often one of the best upgrades you can make. Clutter is what makes a house feel small and stressful. When everything has a proper home – coats in a closet, shoes in a bench, books on fitted shelves – rooms suddenly feel calmer and more spacious without actually gaining a single extra square foot.
However, because built-in storage is fixed, not portable like a cupboard, it does become part of the property. Future buyers often see it as an asset, especially in smaller homes or apartments. That’s why it’s worth planning properly: good quality materials, sensible layouts, and doors that will still look okay five years from now.
So, yes, you can comfortably treat built-in storage as a solid home improvement project. It doesn’t need the same level of permissions or disruption as major renovation, but it can genuinely change how you live in the space.