Welcome to our guide exploring living room storage options!
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Living room storage is a great way to keep items nearby, ready whenever you need them. But what about cluttering up your sleek and well-planned living room design? Don’t worry; there are plenty of clever storage ideas that can keep your living room filled with your favorite things, all while remaining uncluttered.
Scroll through our curated interior photos so you can read all about the details of each living room storage idea. I hope to inspire and ignite creativity on your design journey.
Types of Storage
1. Shelving
Whether it’s for book storage, Blu-Ray storage, or for decorative purposes, shelves are a great way to make use of vertical wall storage in a living room or family room.
This ladder shelf features two drawers at the bottom, which would normally go unused since they’re so low.
If you don’t have the floor space for a free-standing or leaning shelf, you might prefer floating shelving:
Whether for decorative purposes or to store books, shelves are one of the most versatile types of storage.
2. Ottomans with Storage
Like in the bedroom, ottomans can be used to neatly tuck away blankets or throw pillows that would probably otherwise end up on the floor.
Ottomans are most common in living rooms, where you can use them to store blankets or pillows.
3. Coffee Tables with Storage
There are some pretty cool coffee tables with unique storage options out there, so you can find one that has the kind of storage you’ll make the most use of.
For example, the multiple levels of storage afforded to you by this option:
There are drawers at the bottom of the table, and the top is also removable, revealing two storage cubbies.
Or, if you prefer, you can get a table with a little more versatility:
Magazine racks are built into the sides, and drawers into the bottom. The top lifts up as well.
4. End Tables with Storage
The end tables always seem to collect the most clutter in a living room or family room. Tissue boxes, glasses, magazines, books, and remote controls. Having a spot to hide all of these away will instantly reduce clutter in your living room.
A small table with a cabinet below a shelf allows you to tuck away small clutter out of sight.
If you prefer a more open look, you could try this style:
A single low shelf connects elegant legs. A small drawer is above.
5. Entertainment Media Center Storage Units
Entertainment centers are the king of living room storage. They almost always have shelving, drawers, and cabinets for you to place your gaming consoles, movies, and other media in. Some are grand while others are more simple such as a basic TV stand (which can also include storage).
Entertainment centers generally are large pieces of furniture, so they have lots of potential for storage.
6. Baskets
A well-placed basket adds style to a room. We like to place them wherever a blanket usually ends up on the floor. You might also use a basket to store a child or pet’s toys. Of course, you can also add them to existing cubbies to dress up and contain your items.
Wicker baskets add texture to this simple wooden bench.
7. Hutches
This elegant piece of furniture isn’t one you see in many houses anymore, but it’s excellent storage that looks great. If you have a glass-faced hutch, you’ll probably want to use it for more decorative pieces, like keepsakes or porcelain.
You can store your keepsakes in the upper portion and tuck away blankets or other items in the lower drawers and cabinets.
If you prefer, you can get a hutch with closed storage on the top as well.
The dark wood and textured panels add visual interest to an already elegant piece.
8. Firewood Storage
A roaring fireplace is a huge plus to any living room, but if it’s wood burning, you’ll need a nice spot to keep the firewood without making a mess out of your hearth.
This simple oval holder has an attached tray to catch any dirt, bark, or slivers that fall off the wood as it sits. Plus, it looks great!
9. Magazine Rack
See all magazine storage ideas here.
If you read many magazines, a magazine rack might be a great option to keep all of your magazines from being scattered on a coffee table or on an end table.
Whether your rack is on the floor or on the wall, you’ll be able to keep your magazines organized and all in one place!
This simple V-shaped magazine holder can hold just a few magazines and is best for someone who reads one or two magazines.
If you’re looking for a wall-mounted version with more storage, you might like this one:
This much more decorative magazine rack holds the magazines neatly between each curve.
10. Storage Trunk / Steamer Chest
See all types of storage trunks here.
An old trunk or chest can serve many different purposes in your living room, from simple storage to a storage coffee table. Plus, we love the style they add to a room.
This trunk has a classic curved top with wooden sides and tooled leather. It even includes buckles!
Or, you can go for a more traditional cedar chest to store your blankets and pillows.
Ornate carving around the outside of the box is decoration enough for any formal living room.
11. Mini-Bar
A mini-bar will serve you well if you spend a lot of time entertaining in your living room.
You can go for a more permanent installation, or a rolling bar that you can move into storage when it’s not needed.
This all-wood mini bar is a more permanent installation, and features a foot bar should you want to add barstools to the mix.
Or, opt for this smaller version:
Glass doors allow you to display what’s inside. It also includes an extendable counter and a wine rack.
Also, check out these 15 custom luxury home bars.
12. Console Tables
If you need a bit less storage than an entertainment center, you might opt for a console table instead. The open shelving can be used for decorative purposes as well. Console tables are also excellent on their own or behind a sofa.
While the top of the table is used to house a lamp and several accents, the lower portion can house items in a basket.
13. Bookcases
Bookcases, whether they’re built-in or not, are a great storage solution.If you don’t have enough books to completely fill the shelves, you can use that storage for other things as well.
A simple bookcase can add so much to a room, regardless if you’re an avid reader or not. Use baskets to organize smaller items, or store a collection of movies.
14. Storage Benches
Learn about all types of storage benches here.
A storage bench can double as an ottoman or as a coffee table, and only depends on what kind of storage you find yourself in need of, but for a living room, we like them best as an extra seat.
Check out this plush bench that your guests won’t mind sitting on:
The top lifts up to store anything you desire and can fit. It’s also a great place to store items like dog toys while your guests are over.
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Living Room Storage Ideas Gallery
15. Trunk / Coffee Table
This living room utilizes an amazing trunk as a table. The trunk provides a great deal of storage space while being a very stylish and appealing table.
16. Glass Cabinets for Display and Storage
On both sides of this fireplace, there are glass door cabinets. These are great for storage and showing off items and design accessories. These cabinets add a cool design element while increasing storage. See more of this home here.
- Designed by Clay Construction.
17. Tufted Upholstered Flip-Top Storage Bench
Here is a long bench with a storage area under the seat. This is a great storage option because it is a single piece of furniture with multiple uses. The more functions a single piece of furniture has, the better. Learn more here.
18. Coffee Table Trunk and Shelving
This room has an ottoman, shelves, cabinets, and a large chest in the center of the room. This room has so many great and creative storage ideas. All of them work together, and all fit the design well. See more of this home here.
- Designed by Miller & Miller Real Estate
19. Coffee Table Shelf with Basket
A simple shelf and basket below the top of a coffee table is a simple and easy way to store items. While they may not be hidden away, they are out of the way and still easy to get to. Learn more here.
20. Entertainment Unit Shelving
This room has a bit of storage under the coffee table but also has quite a bit of shelving around the television. These storage areas are being used to display various items that work well with the overall design of the room. See more of this home here.
- Designed by Garrison Hullinger Interior Design.
21. Hollow Books for Secret Keepsakes
Here are some hollow books that are great for hiding away items in your living room bookshelves. They appear to fill out your library while creating more places to put things out of the way. Learn more here.
22. Shelving and Drawer Room Divider
Here is an interesting and appealing shelving and drawer unit. It is used as a design feature, but it is also a functional part of the room. If you are going to have some shelves and drawers, might as well go for a quirky, fun, or interesting design. See more of this home here.
- Designed by Vanlian Architecture.
23. Floating Shelves
In a simple and sleek modern living room, the creative use of space can create good storage space. Beyond the shelves on the wall, the entertainment space has cabinet space, and there is room under the simple coffee table.
- See more of this home here. Designed by Sa.ne Studio.
24. Leather Ottoman with Flip Top
This open ottoman shows the storage that can be inside a utility furnishing. Store pillows and throw blankets close by where you can fish them out if it gets chilly. Learn more here.
25. End Table with Shelving
This picture shows that putting shelves behind a couch is an easy way to add shelf space if you don’t have more room against the walls. See more of this home here.
- Designed by Garrison Hullinger Interior Design.
26. Corner Shelving Unit
Of all the kinds of shelf units that one can get, corner shelves make the most out of limited and unused space. These are a great idea if you have unused corners and need a bit more storage space. Learn more here.
27. Built-In Shelving
Here we see built-in shelves, which are always a good option if you can manage it. Also, there is another shelf tucked behind a couch. Putting a unit behind a couch is great if you have run out of blank wall space to put shelving, and you can use it to divide a larger space into more intimate seating areas.
28. Credenza with Storage Cabinets
This living room has a nice, sleek, and interesting cabinet against the wall that has a top that can be used as a console table. There is also room under that table for keeping plenty of items.
- See more of this home here. Designed by Homepolish.
29. Freestanding Bookshelf Unit
Here is a basic bookshelf, which is always good for simple and easy storage solutions. These kinds of bookshelves come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes. No matter what kind of space you have in your living room, you can likely find a bookcase in this style that would fit your needs. Learn more here.
30. Shelving Suspended from Ceiling
This simple and rustic room uses suspended shelves to create storage without taking up much floor space. With a design like this, it is important to keep things uncluttered and clean, and storage up off the ground is a good way to keep the space open.
- See more of this home here. Designed by PplusP Architecture.
31. Built-In Shelving Nooks
Built-in shelves are always a great use of space and can keep storage space out of the way. This room also has s large center table that likely has a plethora of storage inside. This kind of table can fit in with a lot of different designs and is always stylish.
- See more of this home here. Designed by Awork.
32. Distressed Ladder Shelving in Shabby Chic Design
A simple leaning shelf can fit in a smaller space and create good storage space for almost any style of living room. This particular shelf has a distressed painted wood look that’s perfect for a shabby chic living room. Learn more here. Designed by Dapper Dave’s Workshop.
Related: 26 Stunning and Versatile Living Room Ottoman Ideas | 28 Wonderful Living Room Color Ideas | 24 Amazing Living Room Chairs | 27 Beautiful Living Room Shelves