Storage walls can be a godsend for living rooms. These often-custom creations can be built around your needs and can incorporate areas for a TV, photos, decorative items and books. Consider having some sections closed for less-than-lovely items. If you’re using off-the-shelf units, you could buy a few boxes or baskets that fit the cubbies and use them as “drawers” for pieces you want to hide away.
Work space is becoming increasingly important, but most houses don’t have the luxury of a separate office. A small desk is a great multitasking piece of furniture that allows you to squeeze in a flexible work spot and some extra storage at the same time. The cabinet and drawer in this vintage desk can hold everything from paperwork to napkins to candles, and the top flap can simply be folded down when it’s time to work.
Low-level cabinetry keeps a room feeling airy while providing discreet yet accessible storage. If you have space for a run along the length of a wall, as seen here, you’ll get a good amount of storage with minimum impact on the look of the room. The top of the unit also makes a great spot for displaying decorative items. If you can’t find a store-bought piece to fit your space, try configuring several cabinets in the shape you’re after, or commission a cabinetmaker to create a unit to fit your style and dimensions.
Don’t end your storage simply because you’ve come to a corner. A custom shelving unit can be made to hug your walls and will offer more space — not to mention look far more attractive — than two free-standing units set at right angles. If you’re in a rental property or on a tight budget, you can also find ready-made shelves designed for corners. Alternatively, butt single wall shelves up against each other at right angles.
For a room like this with no space for a bank of cabinets, several smaller storage items can work well. Tuck a basket under a table as a catchall for would-be clutter. Opt for a TV console that provides both open and closed storage for flexibility. Try an acrylic box to house items neatly on a small coffee table. Hang some discreet yet stylish wall storage. If you have space under your sofa, try storing spare blankets or linens there in a slide-out box. You could also look at coffee tables with built-in storage. Before you know it, all of these small things will add up to a significant amount of storage.
Don’t despair at an awkwardly shaped room, sloping ceiling or unusual architectural feature. Instead, embrace the quirky corners and unused alcoves for storage areas, as in this living room. The best storage solutions for odd angles like this tend to be custom-made to maximize the space, so it’s worth getting some professional sketches done. Once you’ve picked the perfect option, find a great cabinetmaker to build it for you. I.e. our high up kitchen “display spaces” & in our master bedroom
Do you have a lot of old photos and prints lying around? Hang as many as you can on your walls. Sort through piles of old family photos, print out the new ones, grab your children’s artwork and get hanging. For a more cohesive look, choose your pictures and buy the same style frames in different sizes to hold them. Command strips are a quick way to hang photos, and they make it easy to reposition pictures if you change your mind or you rent your home.
Get your kids in the game. Always stumbling over toys or picking up after your children? Provide storage they can easily reach and define a play area with a vibrant rug, then get everyone to participate in a five-minute “tidy-up time” before meals. Toys don’t have to be hidden away completely — cubbyholes containing colorful boxes are great for storing things, and adding photo labels will make it easy for children to find what they’re looking for. Try to make it as easy to put things away as it is to get them out for the best chance of success.
If you don’t want to do built-ins but still have significant storage needs, try a floating shelf unit like this. It’s crisp and contemporary, and, because it’s wall-hung, it makes the room feel bigger, because floor space is maximized.
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