The living room is where you spend the bulk of your time with friends, family, and even alone with a good book or Netflix binge, so it's important it boasts both form and function. If there's one addition that adds drama and visual interest, plus storage and hidden organization, it's a custom built-in.

Ahead are 8 examples of living room built-ins that prove you really can have it all.

01 Blend Them In

If you're looking to make your mantel the focal point of your living room, a bold shade of paint is just the way to do it. And why stop with just the mantel? Instead, extend the same shade through your built-ins for a custom look.

02 Bring Contrast

While we like the idea of blending in a living-room built-in, making it stand out with a high-contrast paint job looks like a million bucks too. We love how this chalky blue shade pops off the white walls and neutral accents.

03 Combine Shelves And Cabinets

Vintage-Inspired Textured Glass Chandelier - Living Room Chandelier with Hand-Pressed Pattern and Rustic Design - Ideal Hanging Light Fixtures for Living Room and Modern Chandelier Options

Living room built-ins either feature open shelving, cabinets and drawers, or, like in this case, a combination of all three. We love the idea of shelves on top and drawers and cabinets below because it gives you space to display your favorite design elements and hide away clutter you can't seem to part with.

04 Play With Pastel

Think of your built-in paint color as the first hue on your blank canvas. Rows of shelves will act as the backdrop for your favorite books and collectibles, so choose the color accordingly. We love how this pastel green unit makes the neutrals in this room pop.

05 Break Out the Wallpaper

Alabaster Rustic Chandelier - A Modern Living Room Chandelier with Rustic Refinement and Iron Frame Featuring Alabaster Tiles - Perfect Hanging Light Fixture for Your Living Room

Although paint is top of mind when styling living room built-ins, a roll of wallpaper takes any design up another notch. Use a patterned or textured wallpaper on the backs of your shelving units to add tons of personality and design interest.

06 Create a Grid

If you value symmetry, this grid-like built-in design looks clean and beautiful. This is about as close to an art gallery as your living room can get.

07 Make It Minimal

Just because it's a built-in doesn't mean you need to add rows of shelves and cubes and cabinets and drawers. Sometimes a minimal setup, like this clean cabinet look, is all your living room needs.

08 Give It Old-World Charm

While stonework is often requested of exterior designers, it can actually bring an old-world charm inside your home as well. We love how these living room built-ins look framed in a light, warm stone. This simple addition adds tons of charm to any modern setup.