The ideal living room is a place where you can both relax and do activities that you love. But can you achieve that balance without clutter or clunky storage solutions? The good news is that you don’t have to compromise on style to make space for everything.
These five tips will help you create a calm and inviting living room environment while improving its storage capacity.
One easy way to increase storage without adding visual clutter is with furniture that has built-in functionality. An ottoman, for example, is more than just a place to put up your feet – if it’s hollow, it can be a place to store items such as blankets. Or coffee tables with hidden drawers can be used to put extra magazines or remote controls out of sight. These practical pieces help reduce mess and fit seamlessly into your existing décor – perfect for smaller UK homes or open-plan living areas. You can even get more creative by hiding valuables in fake books, or using curtains as an elegant way to hide a basic shelf.
Floating shelves are a great way to maximise wall space without taking up valuable floor area and can be easy to put up if you’re into DIY. Use them to display books, photos, artwork, mementoes, or plants – basically anything that would otherwise be on the floor or stacked up on other pieces of furniture. Another bonus of floating shelves is that their minimalist design can add a touch of visual interest to your living room.
Your living room is the entertainment hub of the house but do you really want wires, cables, and media such as DVDs, CDs, or vinyl record collections cluttering up your space? Consider built-in TV and media units, which offer a seamless way to integrate your entertainment system into the living room, providing both functionality and a sleek aesthetic. With dedicated space for consoles, remotes, physical film and music items, and even for decorative pieces, these units will keep your room tidy and stylish.
Don’t overlook tucked-away corners. Alcoves and niches are ideal spots to install bespoke shelving or slimline cabinets. Whether framing a fireplace or nestled beside a window, you can upgrade even the smallest unused spaces into useful and elegant storage without impacting living area.
With a few thoughtful upgrades, you can easily add more storage to your living room without compromising on style. These clever solutions prove that function and flair can go hand in hand.