How to Increase Storage Space in Your Living Room

Many families spend the bulk of their time together in the living room. A place to watch movies, share news of the day or to relax and unwind in, the living room can quickly get cramped and overrun with personal items. Here are some ideas on how you can double the amount of storage space in this room.

Choose Your Furniture Wisely.

Many pieces that you would use to furnish the living room can double as storage space. When shopping for end tables, try to find pieces that have roomy drawers to keep magazines and remote control devices out of sight. Ottomans and foot rests often open up to house throw blankets and board games. Entertainment centers with multiple shelves can be used to stack and store video games and gaming system accessories as well as movies and music. An antique desk in the corner of the living room can not only add a great amount of appeal to the space, but also hold lightweight items such as letter writing materials and computer paper as well as baby blankets and diapers.

Use Storage Items as Fun Accent Pieces.

Let your unique personality and creativity take the reign when seeking additional storage space in your living room. Vintage suitcases can be stacked to create a fun end table and can be used to keep a multitude of items neatly out of sight. Large wicker baskets with decorative patterns can be effectively used as a home for books, handheld video games, and small toys. A beautiful sturdy wicker or metal chest can be used as additional seating or a coffee table and also to hide shoes, pocketbooks or school books.

Assign Your Decor Pieces the Job of Storing Small Personal Items.

Take a look around your living room. Do you have any decorations that can also do double duty as a storage container? Large and medium sized vases as well as decorative boxes and baskets can be used to not only brighten up your room, but also to hold a multitude of household and personal items. Use these items to hold mail, extra votive candles, gaming components, homework supplies and cleaning cloths. The clever concealing of these items that you regularly use in the living room can keep these items neatly out of the way, but still within arm's each when they are needed.

Don't Forget the Space Under Your Furniture.

The underside of media centers, CD racks and tables can be utilities to add some additional storage opportunities. Flat items such as books, magazines, board games and gaming essentials can be neatly arranged under these pieces. Taking care to push these items as far back as space allows can help to draw attention away from these items, but still keep them out of the way and easy to access.