We select and review products independently. When you purchase through our links we may earn a commission. Learn more.
X

6 Living Room Storage Hacks

A woman in a living room
Pressmaster/Shutterstock.com

A cluttered living room can feel overwhelming and make it difficult to relax and enjoy your space. With a little bit of creativity and some smart organization, you can turn your living room into a functional and stylish space. Whether you live in a small apartment or a spacious home, these living room storage hacks will help you make the most of your space and keep your house clutter-free.

Get Multi-Functional Furniture

A storage bench
New Africa/Shutterstock.com

One way to maximize your storage space is by investing in multi-functional furniture. These pieces not only serve a specific purpose, such as seating or a surface to place drinks, but also have additional storage built in.

One example of multi-functional furniture is a storage ottoman. Storage ottomans can be used as a footrest or extra seating and feature a lift-up lid that reveals a storage compartment. This can be used to store extra blankets, pillows, or anything else that fits.

A storage bench is another way to get more use out of your furniture. You can find benches in a variety of styles to blend seamlessly in your home, and they can be used as seating for guests. Inside, you’ll find plenty of space to keep shoes, blankets, and other items.

IRONCK Shoe Storage Bench

Great for storing shoes.

Utilize Wall Space

A living room with floating shelves
foamfoto/Shutterstock.com

When it comes to maximizing storage space in your living room, wall space is often overlooked. By utilizing wall space, you can free up your floor and keep things organized.

One easy way to do this is to install shelves. Shelves can be used to store a wide variety of items, from books to photos to decorative objects. You can install shelves at different heights to create a more dynamic and interesting display.

AMADA HOMEFURNISHING Floating Shelves

Create tons of storage space on your walls.

Wall-mounted storage solutions are also useful. This can include hooks and baskets, or other options you can find. These are perfect for storing items such as coats, bags, or umbrellas, and can be particularly handy if your living room is close to your front door.

Wood Wall Hooks for Hanging

For coats, umbrellas, and more.

Think Verticle

Several bookshelves in a living room
Ground Picture/Shutterstock.com

Maximizing storage space in a living room can be a challenge, especially when you have limited floor space. If this is the case, try utilizing vertical space instead.

Bookshelves are the first easy answer. These are a great way to store not only books, but picture frames and other decorative items as well. They can also be used to store items such as vases, candles, and even dishes.

FURINNO JAYA Simply Home 5-Shelf Bookcase

A solid addition to any living room.

Another way to utilize your vertical space is to get a coat rack. A coat rack is a great way to store coats, hats, and other outerwear in a living room. It can also be used to store items such as bags, scarves, or anything else that can be hung.

Pipishell Coat Rack

An easy way to store things without taking up much space.

Incorporate Baskets and Boxes

Decorative baskets in a room
brizmaker/Shutterstock.com

Decorative baskets and boxes are a versatile and stylish way to add storage to your living room. Not only do they serve as functional solutions, but they also add a decorative touch to your space.

Baskets are great for storing small items like remote controls, magazines, and books. These items can quickly clutter a living room and make it feel messy. By using baskets or boxes, you can keep them organized and out of sight.

Mkono Woven Storage Basket

A cute basket to store blankets, books, and more.

Decorative boxes and baskets can also be used to store and organize items like blankets, pillows, and throws. These can take up valuable space when not in use, but by keeping them in a basket, they can be easily accessible and stored out of the way when not needed.

Hipiwe Wicker Shelf Baskets Bin with Lid

This keeps all items out of sight.

Make Your Coffee Table Work

A coffee table
Marko Poplasen/Shutterstock.com

Don’t settle for just any coffee table. While these can be used as beautiful accessories in your home, you should carefully consider which table you buy if you are taking storage space into account.

Look for coffee tables that contain drawers underneath. You can use these to store books, remotes, and other small items that can get in the way.

WLIVE Coffee Table for Living Room

Another option with tons of storage space.

Rotate Items Seasonally

A couple puts items in storage
DC Studio/Shutterstock.com

This is less of a hack than it is advice, but when considering which items to keep in your living room, think about what you aren’t using a lot. It’s nice to have a blanket available for a cozy night in, but you probably don’t need an entire basket of them during the summer months.

If you have other places to store items, like an attic or shed, try to move things you aren’t using for the season out of your living room until you will be using them frequently. While this doesn’t cut down on clutter overall, it will keep your living room more organized.

Buddying Joy Large Storage Bags

These storage cube bins have a soft appearance and durable design.


Your living room should be a cozy space for your family, but it can be hard to get comfortable when it’s cluttered with stuff. These hacks will help you get organized and create the living room of your dreams.

Anne Taylor Anne Taylor
Anne Taylor is a writer with a BA in Journalism and a passion for storytelling. Her work has been published on a variety of websites including Mental Floss and Well + Good, and she recently published her first novel, What it Takes to Lose. When she's not writing, Anne loves to travel (19 countries and counting), spend time outside, and play with her dog, Pepper. Read Full Bio »
LifeSavvy is focused on one thing: making your life outside of work even better. Want to know more?