Living Room Furniture with Storage
Regardless of the size of your living room, storage is key! You may not want to have all of your belongings out on display, and of course, utilizing storage options also helps you to make the best use of the amount of space you’re working with.
Take a look at the list below for some great options for living room furniture that double as storage options, and then you can determine what would work best with your space.
A Dresser As a TV Stand
Many homeowners might not consider using a dresser in their common space– after all, dressers are primarily used in the bedroom! However, if you are able to think outside of the box, a dresser can be a great addition to your living room. Not only does it serve as a spot to set your TV on, saving money and time on mounting the television, its drawers also provide more storage for things such as DVDs, gaming consoles, or other various belongings.
A dresser is the perfect example of using furniture that serves more than one purpose by using it as living room storage furniture, especially in cases where space is an issue. In addition, they take up less space than other living room furniture options while still providing significant storage.
Entertainment Centre
An entertainment centre or media centre is similar to using a dresser as a TV stand, as it provides a spot for your TV as well as your other belongings. There are plenty of gorgeous entertainment centres on the market that can fit just about any living room aesthetic, and they can truly become a centrepiece for your space.
An entertainment centre can not only store your television related items, such as a cable box or gaming console, but can also decoratively display your favourite books, framed photos, and sculptural pieces.
Two Tier Coffee Table
Most living rooms feature a coffee table, it’s in that category of living room essentials, whether it be a simple design or something more out there and artistic. There is, in fact, a way to get even more storage out of your coffee table– this is by opting for a two tier option instead.
There are plenty of coffee tables that boast both a top tier and a lower tier. This can be used either for decoration, or for smarter storage– for example, by storing less important items on the lower tier, which is harder to reach, and storing more important or aesthetically pleasing items on the tabletop itself.
It’s the perfect way to increase your living room storage while not taking up a lot of floor space.
Lift Top Coffee Table
Another coffee table option is the lift top coffee table. This is not quite as common, but can be a great option in regards to storage. A lift top coffee table functions, as the name implies, by lifting the surface of the top of the table– typically, this is done by a type of spring system. You can then store items in the cavity, where they are hidden away once the tabletop is closed again. This is perfect for items that you do not want visible.
Lift top coffee tables are also great for those who are working from home and do not have a true, designated office space in their home. It allows you to lift your documents or computer to a more comfortable height as you work, and then you can set everything back to normal at the end of your workday.
Coffee Table With Drawers
Coffee tables with drawers usually have a particular look, but there are still a variety of options out there to match your intended room aesthetic. They are more sturdy coffee table options, but also have more storage available than the traditional coffee table.
You can use the drawers to store related items such as coasters, so that your tabletop is less cluttered, or you could even store magazines or books in them!
A storage tip for your coffee table drawers is to use dividers to keep everything separate and organized.
Hutch
A hutch is typically a furniture piece that is relegated to the kitchen or dining room. However, it can function as a simple storage cabinet in a living room, too– a hutch does not necessarily have to store wine glasses or fine china.
There are hutch options with glass doors, so that you can see the items inside, but there are also options that have solid, opaque doors– typically wood– so that you can hide important items that are not quite so aesthetically pleasing. Plus, when you have company coming, you can stow additional items in a hutch to create more space in your common area!
Console Table
A console table is close to a hutch but it typically doesn’t offer as many drawer options. It is still a very good option when looking into storage ideas, especially for a small space and in your living room.
You can still use the table to showcase some decorative items, but some of them do have closed storage like drawers or even a console cabinet that can hide items you don’t really want to have out on display.
Nesting End Tables
End tables can be an alternative to large coffee tables if you are working with a smaller space, as they are typically smaller, easier to move, and still provide surface space for your things. Using nesting end tables takes this one step further.
Nesting end tables can nest within each other for easy storage, and then can be pulled out and placed around the room when you have guests, for example, and a need for more surface space. They could even be placed adjacent to each other to create a large coffee table of sorts.
Some nesting tables also come with nesting ottoman cubes that you can pull out for additional seating or footrests, and then put back away when not in use.
Bar Cart
Using a bar cart in your living room can be another example of thinking out of the box when it comes to interior design. Most bar carts come on wheels, so they are great portable storage options and can easily be moved around the room if you are redesigning– or simply rearranging for company!
Some uses for a bar cart can be as an end table, to store items you are particularly proud of– such as art or a record collection, or a corner bookshelf. One of the best parts about this piece of furniture is that, like some of the others on this list, it can be put away when not in use. Or, you could keep it out on display indefinitely, if you so choose!
Bookshelf End Table
You can use a small, low bookshelf as an end table at the side of your couch, for example. This is great because it is an example of using a piece of furniture for more than one purpose. While you are storing your books, you can also use the tabletop surface as a place for a table lamp, for coasters, or framed photos. This is a more artistic option as well, so it lends more personality to your space.
You can either opt to shop new for a bookcase style end table, or you can take a trip to thrift and vintage stores to find a truly one of a kind piece. You’ll want to focus on finding a more slender shape so that it can fit into smaller spaces and does not compete with your larger furniture, like your seating.
Ottoman
An ottoman can be a great addition to a living room, but is not always considered necessary. However, there are many ottomans on the market that are hollowed out and can provide additional storage for your space.
Storage ottomans are perfect for storing items like toys or blankets, so that you can easily declutter your living room and hide them out of sight. There are lots of options when it come to a storage ottoman for shapes, fabrications, and price points as well.
A storage ottoman is great if you have kids as it can act as extra storage for kids toys while making it look like you have a clutter free space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I create storage in my living room?
To create additional storage in your living room, there are a few approaches you could take. You could think about ways to use the walls and ceiling in order to make the space feel more spacious and organized– for example, suspended planters, rather than planters on the floor, or built ins that are shelving units that are built into the walls, rather than standing shelves.
Alcove storage is another way to create storage in a smaller space.
Can you put a wardrobe in the living room?
Yes, you could put your wardrobe in the living room, as long as the piece of furniture can fit inside the space properly without dwarfing other furniture. If it can fit, a wardrobe can be a great addition to the living room by adding plenty of storage space!
How do you store bulky furniture?
If you are storing bulky furniture, it is of course important that your storage space has ample room. You should be sure to do your research and do plenty of preparation for storing your bulky furniture, such as packaging it properly– in bubble wrap, for example– and making sure that the storage space has measures in place to avoid issues such as moisture that could damage your furniture.
How do you make a hidden storage?
Hidden storage can be done in many different types of furniture, such as hollowed out ottomans or headboards. You could also create hidden storage by getting an armoire or hutch that opens up into a desk, it acts as double duty providing an office space that can be packed away when not in use.
There are plenty of existing furniture pieces that function like this, or you could choose to DIY it if you’re handy with tools!