The living room is often the heart of the home – it’s where we relax, entertain guests, and spend quality time with family. However, it can easily become cluttered and feel messy if there isn’t adequate storage. Implementing smart storage solutions can help keep your living room organized and create a calming, tidy space. There are many creative ways to incorporate storage into your living room without sacrificing style. Here are 20 living room storage ideas to keep your space pretty and decluttered.
Utilize Furniture With Built-In Storage
Choosing furniture with built-in storage compartments is one of the easiest ways to add hidden storage to your living room. Here are some furniture pieces to consider:
Ottomans – Look for ottomans with lift-top lids to stash blankets, board games, puzzles, and more inside. Using ottomans instead of coffee tables opens up floor space, too.
Storage ottomans are a stylish way to add extra seating and sneaky storage in your living room. Lift the lid to reveal ample room for tucking away throws, books, toys, and media accessories. They come in various shapes, sizes, and upholstery options to suit your style.
Benches – Entryway benches with storage cubbies or lift-top seats are perfect for placing at the end of the sofa. Tuck shoes, accessories, books, and magazines inside.
TV stands – Cabinets and shelving in modern TV stands provide space to organize DVDs, games, remotes, and media players. Look for options with doors to conceal the clutter.
Media consoles – Style media components in a closed media console to give electronics a clean, streamlined look. The cabinets offer valuable hidden storage as well.
Bookcases – Open shelving, like a bookcase, displays items while keeping them off surfaces. Try incorporating cabinet storage on the bottom row for concealed storage as well.
Side tables – Accent tables with drawers or cabinets allow you to organizing lamps, remotes, glasses, coasters, and end table “junk drawer” essentials.
Take Advantage of Wall Storage
Wall space is prime real estate for living room storage solutions. Here are some wall storage ideas to consider:
Wall hooks – Hang wall hooks or floating shelves to display keys, hats, and purses. Add multiple staggered hooks for extra capacity.
Wall cubbies – Cubby shelves with integrated hooks add storage and display space behind cabinet doors. Use them to corral mail, accessories, bags, and more.
Picture ledges – Load up floating ledges with framed photos, art, and decorative objects to get them up off surfaces. Stagger the ledges at different heights for lots of display space.
Wall racks – Mounted racks with hooks are great for displaying scarves, ties, robes, and jackets on the wall when they aren’t being worn.
Floating shelves – Arrange floating shelves in an artistic way to store and display books, plants, and your favorite decor items. Space the shelves at varying levels for interest.
Wall cabinets – Cabinets recessed into the wall have doors that conceal all of your clutter. Use for media components, books, files, craft supplies, toys, and more.
Repurpose Furniture For Hidden Storage
Give existing furniture new purpose by adapting it into storage furniture for your living room makeover. Look for pieces like:
Trunks – Vintage trunks add a rustic touch and can store blankets, games, throw pillows, and seasonal decor. Top with a tray for a handy surface.
Ladder shelves – Leaning a repurposed wooden ladder against the wall creates fun shelves for plants, books, and displayed treasures.
Secret compartment furniture – Look for unique antiques, like a bench or ottoman with hidden storage under the seat. Use the secret spots for tucking away valuables.
Deconstructed furniture – Take apart an old dresser and mount parts of it to the wall as open shelving. Attach the drawers underneath for concealed storage.
Repurposed cabinetry – Give old kitchen cabinets new life by turning them into a media console or cabinet for the living room. Remove the doors for open shelving.
Desk hutch – Repurpose the top hutch portion as a wall cabinet. The shelves inside are perfect little nooks for displaying pictures and sentimental items in your living room.
Use Baskets And Bins For Organization
Baskets and bins are a pretty storage solution for wrangling living room clutter like throws, toys, and media accessories. Ideas include:
Woven baskets – Incorporate natural woven baskets on shelves and in cabinets to corral clutter. The neutral texture works in any style living room.
Storage ottomans – Conceal toys, blankets, and multimedia accessories inside a stylish storage ottoman with a lift-top lid and sturdy woven interior.
Understated plastic bins – Clear or opaque plastic bins tucked on shelves help organize without detracting from the room’s style. Label them for easy access to contents.
Leather bins – Bins covered in leather, chenille, or soft fabrics lend a luxe, cozy vibe while organizing items. Use them to store blankets, magazines, and more.
Woven floor baskets – Large woven baskets placed on the floor beside furniture can discreetly store firewood, toys, blankets, or media accessories within arm’s reach.
Decorative metal bins – Incorporate metal and wire bins and baskets on shelves when you want an open and airy feel. Use them to hold firewood, rolled blankets, or media remotes.
Design A Command Center
Create a designated spot to organize mail, keys, and daily essentials. Ideas for command centers include:
Entryway organization station – Use a cabinet, desk, or shelving unit near the entry to stash mail, keys, sunglasses, and other items you grab heading out the door.
Reclaimed wood organizer – Lean a reclaimed wood plank on the wall and add hooks to hang keys, coats, pet leashes, and bold wall art for a rustic organizer station.
Family command station – Install a large bulletin board or chalkboard and use it to display calendars, schedules, reminders, photos, and mementos for the family.
Cubbies for keys and mail – Cubbies mounted on the wall by the front door keeps keys and mail from piling up on the counter. Use baskets or trays inside the cubbies to corral the clutter.
Utensil organizer – An oversized utensil organizer with separated compartments is perfect for sorting mail and small accessories like keys and sunglasses by the entry.
Spice rack organization – Repurpose wall-mounted spice racks from the kitchen to the entryway or living room to organize small items like keys, wallet, and phone.
Add Cabinetry For Concealed Storage
Built-in cabinets seamlessly integrate storage into the architecture of the living room. Options for built-ins include:
Recessed cabinets – Custom cabinets recessed into the wall’s studs save space and provide ample closed storage for media components, books, files, or craft supplies.
Window seating with storage – Bench seating built into a window recess makes use of the space while providing storage inside the seat or in the surrounding cabinetry.
Fireplace mantel cabinets – Flanking a fireplace with custom cabinets creates display space while organizing remotes, candles, and fireplace accessories.
Media console built-ins – Build the media console right into the wall’s studs for a custom, seamless look. Enjoy the abundant storage capacity inside.
Picture window cabinets – Lining a large picture window with shallow cabinets creates great display space for photos, plants, and art while concealing clutter.
Bookcase built-ins – Floor-to-ceiling built-in bookcases make the shelves appear to be floating on the wall. The cubbies provide both open and concealed storage options.
Add Drawers For Convenient Storage
Drawers tucked into cabinets and consoles keep items organized and out of sight while keeping them accessible. Smart uses for drawers include:
Media console drawers – Shallow drawers built into a media console keep remotes, batteries, manuals, and media accessories organized and easy to locate.
Side table drawers – Side tables and accent tables with small drawers are perfect for stashing TV remotes, reading glasses, or phone chargers.
Cabinet drawer organizers – Install shallow drawers inside kitchen cabinets to create an organized home for batteries, electronics, office supplies, tools, and more.
Pull-out media drawers – Built-in cabinetry or media consoles fitted with shallow, full extension pull-out drawers smoothly organize DVDs, video games, and multimedia accessories.
Faux drawer fronts – Conceal closet storage by adding faux drawer fronts to camouflage the doors. The living room won’t lose style points or storage capacity.
Hidden drawer compartments – Look for unique accent furniture, like side tables or benches, with unexpected hidden drawers to tuck away valuables out of sight.
Create An Organized Media Centre
Give media components and electronics a stylish home while keeping everything organized and easily accessible. Media centre ideas include:
Recessed media cabinet – Build a media console right into the wall studs for a seamless, custom look. Enjoy abundant concealed storage inside for all your multimedia gear.
Modern media console – Choose a low profile media console table in a sleek minimalist style to give your components a streamlined, uncluttered look. Keep remotes and accessories organized in the drawers.
Industrial cart media console – Roll a metal wire cart right up to the TV to create an industrial media console. The open air design keeps electronics from overheating while keeping them portable.
Repurposed furniture media console – Convert a dresser into a media console by removing the drawers and adding an attractive top. Repaint or stain to coordinate with your decor.
Wall mounted TV cabinet – Mount a wall cabinet directly under the wall mounted flat screen TV for concealed storage of components and media accessories right where you need them.
Floating wall shelves – Mount large floating shelves on the wall in place of a traditional media console to display the TV, components, decor, books, and plants in a minimalist way.
Make Use Of Over-Door Storage
Take advantage of overlooked vertical storage space behind doors with handy over-door storage solutions. Ideas include:
Over-door pocket organizers – Pocket organizers hang over the door to create storage for DVDs, books, craft supplies, and miscellaneous “junk drawer” items to keep out of sight.
Over-door hooks – Install hooks on the back of the door to hang purses, coats, robes, and bags neatly when not in use. Consider staggering hooks on multiple levels.
Over-door mirror storage – Keep scarves, jewelry, and small accessories organized yet visible using hanging mirrored cabinets on the back of the door. The mirrors visually enlarge the space.
Over-door shoe organizers – Clear vinyl shoe organizers hang over doors to create storage for shoes, accessories, toiletries, craft supplies, and more. Keep the contents visible through the clear pockets.
Over-door file sorter – An over-door file sorter instantly creates extra storage for envelopes, magazines, documents, and other flat items you want to keep organized but out of the way.
Over-door basket organizer – Baskets lined up in an over-door storage rack create quick storage for toys, blankets, craft supplies, or media accessories up and out of the way.
Add Chic Book Storage
If you have an extensive book collection, incorporate stylish book storage ideas to keep volumes organized and properly displayed. Ideas include:
Built-in bookshelves – Custom built-in bookshelves, especially floor-to-ceiling shelving, beautifully display book collections while keeping them off surfaces. Add cabinets for more concealed storage.
Ladder bookshelves – Lean a ladder horizontally against the wall and load it up with books to create fun industrial style shelving. Try spacing multiple ladder shelves together at varying heights.
Picture ledges – Mount floating ledges just below the ceiling and arrange books on them in a staggered formation. The ledges create lots of display space while keeping surfaces clear.
Bookcase built-ins – Build floor-to-ceiling bookcases right into the wall’s studs for a seamless, custom look. Mix open and closed storage with cabinets and shelves.
Bookcase headboard – Floor-to-ceiling bookcases also double as headboards when placed behind beds. Add sconce lighting to illuminate the books at night.
Library ladder on rails – Install library ladders on rails along built-in bookcases to easily reach the highest shelves. Choose ladders with wheels or casters for smooth gliding access.
Maximize Display And Decor Shelving
Open shelving displays treasures while keeping them organized and accessible. Try these shelving ideas:
Picture ledges and floating shelves – Arrange floating ledges and wall-mounted shelves in aesthetic formations to display framed photos, art, sculptures, plants, and cherished items.
Shadow boxes – Mount open shadow boxes on the wall to protect and display delicate decorations or sentimental objects. Illuminate with subtle lighting.
Plate racks – Plate racks provide a great way to display your fine china or everyday dishware while keeping it protected yet accessible.
Spice drawer shelves – Repurposed kitchen drawer organizers make whimsical display shelves. Try using them to show off small decor, framed photos, or candles on a tiered ledge.
Ladder shelf – A wooden ladder shelf leaned horizontally against the wall adds fun industrial flair while displaying vases, books, and decor in the open storage rungs.
Geometric wall shelves – Create modern interest by arranging wall-mounted shelves and ledges in graphic or geometric formations. Display your favorite decor items and books.
Repurpose Furniture Into Storage Furniture
Give hand-me-down or flea market furniture new purpose with these clever storage furniture makeovers:
Old dresser media console – Convert a vintage dresser into a media console by removing the drawers and adding a wood top. Repaint or restain and add new hardware to refresh.
Suitcase side table – Stack vintage suitcases atop one another to create eclectic side tables with built-in storage compartments. Choose varying sizes and styles for interest.
Crate shelves – Wooden crates stacked and secured to the wall create fun, rustic open shelving to display books, photos, and your favorite flea market finds.
Salvaged door bookcase – Stand a reclaimed old door vertically and attach salvaged wood boards across the front to form shelving. Finish by sealing or staining the wood.
Pallet wood shelves – Deconstruct shipping pallets and use the reclaimed wood to build easy, inexpensive floating shelves. Sand and seal the wood for a finished look.
Luggage racks – Vintage foldable luggage racks add personality while serving as functional shelving. Use them to display favorite items and books or stash extra blankets.
Keep Seasonal Items Organized
Dedicate space for stashing out-of-season and sentimental holiday decorations. Smart storage spots include:
Underbed pull-out drawers – Install full extension pull-out drawers underneath the bed frame to create remote storage for extra bedding and seasonal decor.
Entryway coat racks – Coat racks in the mudroom or entryway have open shelves above perfect for boxed decorations. Conceal it all behind a curtain.
Closet seasonal storage – Designate space in bedroom closets for bankers boxes neatly labeled with holiday decorations. Use vagrant closet floor space to stand trees.
Basement storage – Transfer holiday decorations to clearly labeled plastic totes and store them neatly in the basement when the season ends. Keep them dry and condition-controlled.
Attic storage – Use the attic for stashing off-season decor in properly sealed storage totes and cardboard boxes. Insulate and weatherproof the attic to protect contents from damage.
Garage storage – Utilize vertical garage space by mounting shelves high on walls to store holiday decor well out of the way of vehicles and everyday garage clutter.
20 Living Room Storage Ideas To Keep Your Space Pretty – Conclusion
There are many innovative and attractive ways to incorporate living room storage that keeps clutter off surfaces while enhancing your decor. Experiment with furniture that multitasks as storage, wall solutions, repurposed furniture, baskets and bins, entertainment centers, built-ins, drawer space, media cabinets, over-door options, book storage, display shelving, and seasonal organization systems. With a little creativity, you can implement storage that suits both your decor style and organizational needs, so you can enjoy a beautiful, tidy living room every day. Which of these living room storage ideas are you most excited to try in your home?