If You Need Living Room Storage, Furniture Can Do Double Duty

Jessica Bennett

Tue, June 9, 2015 at 2:11 AM UTC

6 min read

Add function and organization to your living room with furniture that can work as storage, too.

For organized living room storage, furniture that's multi-functional will help add space to stash items like throw blankets, books, TV remotes, and more without distracting from your interior design. These hardworking living room storage furniture pieces allow you to hide or display necessities and collectibles with style.

Bedroom Dresser Turned TV Stand

For living room storage, furniture such as dressers, typically found in bedrooms, is an unexpected but smart choice. Fill the drawers with things you frequently use, like books, kids' toys, games, or electronics. A dresser can even serve as a TV stand if space is tight.

Office Desk for Living Room Workspace

Tuck a desk into a corner to create a functional home office space that doubles as living room storage furniture. Choose a unit with drawers or cabinets to store office supplies. If you don't have a free wall or set of windows where you can position the desk, try sliding it up against the back of your sofa.

Tiered Coffee Table Book Stacks

While the surface of a coffee table offers plenty of function, this furniture piece can be even more useful when you choose a tiered model. Stack books and magazines on the shelf below and use baskets or trays to corral smaller items. Reserve decorative items like candles and plants for the top shelf.

Console Table for Sleek Storage

Console tables are chic living room storage furniture, often featuring a slim profile that works well for sliding behind the sofa or against a wall. You can line up baskets or bins beneath it for additional storage. Console tables come in many sizes, so you can choose a perfect piece for your space.

Traditional Storage Hutch

Hutches, pie safes, cabinets, and armoires are timeless formal or traditional living room storage furniture additions. These handsome pieces bring substance to a room while providing plenty of space for organizing necessities. Plus, hutches are ideal for stocking items best kept out of sight, such as extra dishes or flower vases.

Bar Cart Beverages and More

A stocked bar cart can provide extra living room storage and ensure you're ready to entertain. Sort bottles, glassware, serving utensils, and other cocktail fixings with trays or baskets. Incorporate closed storage so you can easily conceal miscellaneous items in a hurry.

Console Cabinet Concealed Storage

Consider a console cabinet an essential piece of living room storage furniture in an open floor plan. It's slightly larger than a console table and offers more behind-closed-doors space. Position one behind a sofa that "floats" in the middle of a room to provide a spot for lamps to illuminate the seating space, plus plenty of storage and a surface for placing drinks.

Storage Bench for Books and Games

Pack two functions into one with a storage bench. A cushion on top provides a place to sit, while cubbies below can be used for books or bins full of toys, games, or crafts supplies. Place this living room storage furniture next to a window for an easy DIY window seat loaded with function.

Built-In Shelves for Display

Invest in built-ins to give your living room an architectural presence and a more organized appearance. For example, frame a doorway with shelves or consider cabinetry around a fireplace. Built-in bookshelves work especially well for families with an extensive library of books or a large collection of decorative items to display.

Compact Nesting Tables

Nesting tables, which usually come in sets of two or three, stack together but can be pulled out for extra tabletops. Ideal for small rooms, they take up less floor space but still offer room for storage. This living room features two nesting coffee tables that can be expanded to fit a larger group.

Handy Storage Ottoman

Available in various shapes, styles, and sizes, ottomans are flexible living room storage, a furniture option that brings organization and function to your living room. Choose a design with a lid that lifts to reveal a roomy storage compartment ready to store anything, including blankets and gaming equipment. For added functionality, upgrade your ottoman with casters for mobile organization.

Stylish Shelving Unit

Shelving units can bring eye-catching attention to an area of your living room while storing and displaying your collectibles. This geometric shelf, for example, has shelves that dip down for added visual interest. An iron frame keeps it sturdy.

Storage and Entertainment Center

Plan living room storage furniture around movies, music, or books. This entertainment center was made for storing vinyl records, and it keeps a collection of albums in line. Entertainment centers come in all sizes and shapes, so you're guaranteed to find one that works where you need it.

Coffee Table with Drawers

Drawers stacked beneath the top of a coffee table can conceal all sorts of items, such as board games, remotes, and magazines. Because these tend to be bulky, they work best in larger living rooms as storage furniture. Consider your family's needs before buying storage furniture. To make sure storage furniture fits your needs, measure what you plan to store in a piece before buying it.

Skirted Table

Turn a simple table into hidden storage with the addition of a skirt. For a DIY version, cut and hem a piece of fabric to size, then place hook-and-loop tape around the top edge of the table and attach the skirt. Slide storage bins or carts beneath the table to boost living room organization.

Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are perfect for stashing smaller items and displaying accessories. These shelves also help visually divide the space and break up a blank wall. Try hanging a set in an unexpected spot. Here, it's adjacent to a fireplace. Even though there are only two shelves here, the placement creates a third opening perfect for stashing firewood.

Storage Solutions for Bedrooms

Bedrooms always need more storage, whether for toys in children's rooms or clothing and personal items in a primary bedroom. If siblings share a room, storage solutions can make a small space work much better for two people. For larger kids' rooms, use cabinets to stash away their accumulated items, including schoolwork and memorabilia.

For the adults, getting a good night's sleep is at the top of the agenda. These 25 bedroom storage ideas will kick-start your bedroom organization so you can rest easy at night, knowing everything is in its place. If your primary bedroom is short on space, the best thing to do is keep clutter under control for a more peaceful space.

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