Living Room Storage Ideas to Keep Your Space Pretty

The key to a clutter free living room is having a clean, put-together, and inviting space, but what if you have a small space or you own a lot of stuff? From throws to books to board games, you probably have a handful of items you need to store in your living room. The good news is there are creative and simple living room storage ideas that can help keep your space tidy while providing a home for everything you have.

Here, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite living room storage ideas to keep your mess to a minimum.

1. Designate a Kid Area

Large living rooms are perfect for watching television, reading, and playing with toys. And kids need their special space, too. Designate a corner of your living room as a play nook for your child. Outfit it with shelving and cabinets, perfect for books and toys, a soft rug, and even a craft table, if you have the room. While parents enjoy their favorite mini-series on TV, kids can be playing quietly in their special nook.

2. Create a Library

Carve out a nook of your living room for a library to house your favorite books. Use simple shelving or create built-ins for a space-saving option. Add a comfy chair, some lighting, and a plant or two, to create a reading nook you can escape to on a winter day.

3. Go Boho With Your Decor

When adding a storage piece to your living room, opt for a unit that can instantly become a conversation piece. This lovely vintage boho design shelf from Modern House Vibes is perfect for adding a little bit of storage while helping to tie the rest of the room’s look together.

4. Display Fireplace Wood

No room to store wood for your fireplace? Consider turning this winter necessity into rustic art and displaying it instead, like in this living room from Milk and Honey Life. Fill a shelf with tidied-up logs for a fresh, Scandinavian-inspired look and feel.

5. Use a Dresser

Consider elegantly displaying a buffet or a dresser in your living room, like this one from Leaf + Lolo. A buffet can also provide an alternative to the traditional TV stand if you need more storage space but still want a chic and classy piece.

6. Try Floating Shelves

Utilizing floating shelves is a great idea if you want something more than a standalone piece, but a full built-in unit is out of reach. These floating wooden shelves from LeClair Decor are perfect for tucking into a corner or a nook and add extra storage space for objects or art, too.

7. Add a Hutch

Often reserved for dining rooms, a hutch or a sideboard in your living room can provide hidden storage. We love this vintage piece from Kaelyn Guerin. It provides surface space for flowers, coffee table books, and candles, but also has cabinets and drawers for all of your other must-haves.

8. Use Baskets

Used on a coffee table, as seen in this image from Burchard Design Co., or under a TV stand, baskets are wonderful for hiding odds and ends in a living room. Toss in items like dog toys, throws, or pillows. Baskets also come in many different styles to perfectly match nearly any decor.

9. Use Side Tables

When buying side tables for your living room, look for those that have extra storage built into them. The modern side tables from Ashley Montgomery Design have a lower shelf for storing books or magazines. However, you can even swap in a nightstand with a drawer for even more hidden storage.

10. Add a Coffee Table With Storage

An easy way to add extra storage space to your living room is to pick furniture with built-in storage. You can find ottomans and coffee tables (like this one from LA Designer Affair) that can easily double as storage for blankets, linens, and technology.

11. Utilize Cushion Storage

Double-duty furniture, like a storage sofa or a bench, helps hide the clutter that would otherwise make your living room look like a mess. Tuck blankets and throws underneath the cushions of your couch. Put slippers and shoes under bench cushions. You can also stash chargers, cords, and remotes underneath, too.