In the most cohesive homes, cabinetry does not stop at the kitchen, bathrooms and closets. It becomes part of the architecture: full-height storage walls in hallways, doors that disappear into paneling, window seats with drawers below, and built-ins that give every room the same level of finish.
Foscari Interiors designs and supplies these architectural wall systems for Houston homes. This guide explains what they are and how they work.
What Wall Systems Are
A wall system is a continuous run of cabinetry, panels and doors that covers a wall from floor to ceiling. It can combine:
- Closed storage behind flush doors
- Open shelving and display niches
- Integrated room doors, finished to match the paneling so they read as part of the wall
- Integrated lighting in shelves and niches
- Concealed spaces, such as a home office, bar or pantry behind doors
The result is a wall that looks calm and architectural while holding a great deal of storage.
Where Wall Systems Work Best
- Entries and hallways, for coats, shoes and everyday storage
- Living and family rooms, combining media, display and storage
- Bedrooms, where a wardrobe wall can include the door to the bathroom or closet
- Studies and home offices, with a desk, shelving and file storage
- Open-plan kitchens, where a wall system continues the kitchen’s tall cabinetry into the living area
Integrated Doors
An integrated door is a room door built into the wall system and finished in the same material as the surrounding panels and cabinets. When closed, it is barely noticeable, so the wall reads as one continuous surface.
TM Italia’s made-to-measure system includes integrated doors, along with lighting, soundproofing and home automation, for living rooms, wall systems and bathrooms. This lets the same materials used in the kitchen continue across doors and walls throughout the home.
Window Seats and Built-Ins
Windows are natural places for built-in storage. A window seat with drawers below, flanked by shelving, turns an unused wall into a reading nook or extra seating, and adds storage to bedrooms, studies and living rooms.
Products We Use
- TM Italia for made-to-measure wall systems and integrated doors that continue an Italian kitchen design. Lead time is typically 12–18 weeks.
- KICO Italy for living room systems, wardrobes and furniture, with more than 200 standard finishes and lead times of 10–18 weeks.
- Cucinesse for living room furniture that matches its kitchens.
Planning Wall Systems
- Start early. Integrated doors, lighting and outlets need to be coordinated with framing and electrical.
- Measure precisely. Floor-to-ceiling systems must account for uneven floors and ceilings.
- Plan the material palette. Decide which finishes will repeat across the home.
- Think about access. Make sure panels covering equipment or utilities can be opened.
Foscari’s in-house team produces plans and elevations that show your builder exactly how the wall system fits the architecture.
How It Works
- A complimentary consultation at our showroom or on site
- Design and documentation by our in-house architects and designers
- Selection of finishes, doors and lighting
- Ordering after approval
- Delivery and installation by Foscari
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an integrated door?
A room door built into a wall of cabinetry or paneling and finished to match it, so it blends into the wall.
Are wall systems only for new homes?
They are easiest to plan in new construction, but many can be added during renovations.
Can a wall system match my kitchen?
Yes. With TM Italia in particular, the same materials can continue from the kitchen into wall systems throughout the home.
Related reading: Living Room Wall Units and Entertainment Centers in Houston and TM Italia in Houston.
Foscari Interiors
2226 Richmond Ave.
Houston, TX 77098
