20 Living Room Storage and Organization Tips + Tricks

Maintaining a stylish living room aesthetic while storing all your belongings can be quite the challenge, but here's how you can keep everything in its proper place without compromising on style.

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By: Kamron Sanders

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Keep Storage a Secret

The best living room storage is the kind that totally blends in. These hidden storage compartments look like nothing more than a continuation of the shiplapped wall, making storage of unsightly items easier (and sneakier) than ever.

From: Zoe Feldman Design

Store Blankets on a Ladder

Ladders are the perfect way to keep blankets and throws within reach while taking up the smallest possible footprint in your living room. A blanket ladder can cozy up any space and impart the rustic touch you didn’t know your living room needed.

GET THE HOW-TO: How to Make a Wooden Blanket Ladder

Choose Furniture With Storage Potential

Functional storage in a living room can be as simple as a beautiful furniture piece. With its geometric pattern and blue finish, this console table is the perfect addition to this living room that's filled with an array of blue hues. However, its “wow” factor is the ample amount of storage space it has hiding behind those wide sliding doors.

From: Lindye Galloway

Add Built-Ins

Built-in shelving may be the ultimate way to add both storage and style to your living room. While they aren’t cheap, they add tons of visual appeal to your home that can translate to dollars later on if you sell. If you can afford it, this upgrade is one that you’ll be kicking yourself for not doing sooner.

See More Photos: 20 Beautiful Built-Ins

From: Laura U Design Collective

Make Storage Stylish

When outfitting your living room, think of ways you can add storage, stylishly. The great thing about large antique pieces, like this hutch, is the immense amount of storage they can add to any space, while also making a stylish statement. This homeowner cleverly adds woven baskets on top of the hutch to tuck away any loose items.

From: Ashley Gilbreath

Opt for Freestanding Storage Units

If you’re after the charm and functionality of built-ins, but don’t want to commit, a freestanding shelf unit is a great option. These easy-to-install shelving systems come in a variety of styles and configurations, giving you the luxury of built-ins without a call to the contractor.

From: Natalie Myers

Use Space Under Benches

Benches (especially integrated ones like these) are a great way to add functionality and storage potential to a living room. This space now has additional seating, plus plenty of room beneath for storage. You could add storage with baskets or simply store firewood for a decorative and practical touch.

See More Photos: 20 Cozy Reading Nooks

From: Design 4 Corners

Level Up Your Storage

Much like benches, tiered coffee tables are a great way to double down on a space’s storage potential. These multi-level masterpieces are a wonderful spot to tuck books, filled baskets or even board games.

See More Photos: 20 Living Room Coffee Table Looks We Love

From: Design 4 Corners

Upgrade Open Shelving With Baskets

If you love the look of open shelving but are worried it will appear messy, simply invest in several beautiful baskets and bins. The right basket will look lovely beside your more stylish pieces, while providing plenty of space for unsightly objects.

Toss Toys Into Baskets

Baskets aren’t just useful on shelves. These two large baskets make for the perfect spot for storing cumbersome toys and children’s books. This solution keeps toys within reach when needed and out of sight when not.

See More Photos: 37 Smart Toy Storage Ideas

Use Storage Decoratively

The living room in this stunning Malibu Cape Cod-style home, features a wood burning fireplace that stretches up past the second story. Gorgeous built-in slots flank the fireplace and provide a spot for storing wood. This allows the wood itself to act as a decorative element and impart warmth on the stark white space.

From: Pinnacle Estate Properties and Luxury Portfolio International®

Stack Your Books

Need a spot to store all your oversized books? Simply stack them on your coffee table. Use them as a pedestal for plants or stack them on their own. Books offer visual interest with colors and textures, plus they make for great conversation pieces.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Think Outside the Side Table

In place of traditional side tables, this living room implements two large structural baskets with lids. These are a great spot for keeping extra blankets, seasonal throw pillows or any other items you only occasionally need, but don’t want to store out in the garage.

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Think Vertically

Need a spot to store your bike? How about your living room wall? These handy, wooden bike mounts allow you to use your bike as a decor piece in any room, keeping it safe and secure. Go the extra mile by coordinating your paint colors with your bike.

From: Regan Baker

Tap Unused Spaces

In this miniscule Manhattan loft, every inch of space is put to use. Here, stairs are not merely for circulation throughout the apartment, but feature cabinetry and drawers for storage.

From: Specht Architects

Buy Furniture With Hidden Compartments

If your space is short on storage, keep an eye out for double-duty furniture items. This coffee table may not have drawers or a bottom tier, but what it does have is a secret compartment beneath its solid pine top that can be filled with toys, games or other hard to store items.

Don't Compromise Your Aesthetic

This family-friendly living space features custom cabinets that open to reveal both the television and a drop-down desk. The stunning floor-to-ceiling installation is the perfect spot for storing items that would otherwise distract from the room’s crisp, clean aesthetic.

From: THREE SALT DESIGN Co.

Reclaim Your Space

Using a reclaimed bench as a side table is a great way to add additional storage to a living space. Slide baskets into the void beneath the bench to store magazines, books or remotes.

Keep Cabinets Low

Built-in cabinets and drawers line the entire back wall of this living area, an elegant way to make sure there's plenty of storage, without detracting from the room's clean, open design. The expansive countertop above is perfect for entertaining.

From: Strand Hill Properties and Luxury Portfolio International®

Add Functional Storage With Trays

Ottomans are both beautiful and comfortable, but lack storage. To remedy this, try a large tray to hold both necessary and decorative items. There are countless tray options, from antique to modern and everywhere in between.

From: Claire Paquin