10 Ways to Turn Living Room Storage into a Stylish Feature
Who knew storage could be so smart, useful and downright inventive? Make your cupboards masquerade as design features with our genius ideas
Every living space needs room to store away essential items – who could live without books, DVDs, magazines… need I go on? But don’t feel tied to the humble alcove cupboard or classic sideboard. From built-in units to freestanding furniture, storage should feel like an integral part of your room design. Follow these ideas for incorporating plenty of storage in a stylish way, so you can have your stuff and keep your room smart, too.
Make practical into pretty
Where to site logs for an open fire or stove can be tricky. Keep them to hand (and avoid chilly trips outside) by incorporating a cut-out next to the hearth. Adding overhead spotlights and keeping the logs piled high gives the store a luxe look, reminiscent of on-trend trompe-l’oeil wallpapers.
Where to site logs for an open fire or stove can be tricky. Keep them to hand (and avoid chilly trips outside) by incorporating a cut-out next to the hearth. Adding overhead spotlights and keeping the logs piled high gives the store a luxe look, reminiscent of on-trend trompe-l’oeil wallpapers.
Start with a statement
If you have a favourite piece of furniture, think about turning it into a central feature of the room by modifying it. This works especially well for incorporating antique pieces into a modern design. Here, the striking sideboard has inspired an eclectic mix of open shelving and features around it to form a fun wall of mixed storage.
If you have a favourite piece of furniture, think about turning it into a central feature of the room by modifying it. This works especially well for incorporating antique pieces into a modern design. Here, the striking sideboard has inspired an eclectic mix of open shelving and features around it to form a fun wall of mixed storage.
Present a united front
Rooms with large windows and doors, such as those in barn conversions, are flooded with light, but often don’t have much free wall space. In these cases, it’s best to constrain shelving in one area, rather than trying to squeeze it into every spare pocket of space around the room, which can look messy. Choose display items carefully for a sense of cohesion – here pale colours link with the décor.
Rooms with large windows and doors, such as those in barn conversions, are flooded with light, but often don’t have much free wall space. In these cases, it’s best to constrain shelving in one area, rather than trying to squeeze it into every spare pocket of space around the room, which can look messy. Choose display items carefully for a sense of cohesion – here pale colours link with the décor.
Hide away wires
Handleless cabinets help create a chic, linear look in your living room. Built-in units with push-click catches are great for neatly concealing messy wires and sockets, as well as for storing books, movies and music. And using them to frame a TV will help to minimise its bulk, as opposed to simply mounting it on a plain wall.
Handleless cabinets help create a chic, linear look in your living room. Built-in units with push-click catches are great for neatly concealing messy wires and sockets, as well as for storing books, movies and music. And using them to frame a TV will help to minimise its bulk, as opposed to simply mounting it on a plain wall.
Work with roof shapes
Storage is brilliant for turning a challenging feature into a positive attribute. Here, full-height shelving makes the most of an angular ceiling and, because it’s recessed into the wall, it doesn’t overpower the room. This design trick also works well with alcoves, niches and redundant fireplaces in period properties.
Storage is brilliant for turning a challenging feature into a positive attribute. Here, full-height shelving makes the most of an angular ceiling and, because it’s recessed into the wall, it doesn’t overpower the room. This design trick also works well with alcoves, niches and redundant fireplaces in period properties.
Take a seat
Storage that does double duty is always welcome. This window seat is not only a great place to curl up with a coffee, it also conceals oodles of storage. The cosy pads and cushions that make it so inviting can simply be swept aside when you need to access the contents underneath – anything from winter throws and magazine back issues to outdoor accessories.
Be inspired by more window seats
Storage that does double duty is always welcome. This window seat is not only a great place to curl up with a coffee, it also conceals oodles of storage. The cosy pads and cushions that make it so inviting can simply be swept aside when you need to access the contents underneath – anything from winter throws and magazine back issues to outdoor accessories.
Be inspired by more window seats
Step up
Understairs spaces don’t have to be hidden behind closed doors. By turning the area into open shelving, you’ll not only gain precious extra room, it can also function as a focal point in the scheme. Here, the shape of the staircase is mirrored in the shelves, and they’re finished in a luxurious veneer to complement the rest of the room.
Understairs spaces don’t have to be hidden behind closed doors. By turning the area into open shelving, you’ll not only gain precious extra room, it can also function as a focal point in the scheme. Here, the shape of the staircase is mirrored in the shelves, and they’re finished in a luxurious veneer to complement the rest of the room.
Split a space
Low-level shelves are ideal if you only require minimal storage or want it to be a decorative feature. A unit like this can be used to divide a room visually, marking where the living space ends and a dining or study area begins. Keep a solitary unit sleek and unfussy, adding just a splash of colour to unite it with the soft furnishings.
Low-level shelves are ideal if you only require minimal storage or want it to be a decorative feature. A unit like this can be used to divide a room visually, marking where the living space ends and a dining or study area begins. Keep a solitary unit sleek and unfussy, adding just a splash of colour to unite it with the soft furnishings.
Get graphic
Draw on your favourite inspirations to create shelving that’s not only attention-grabbing, but functions well. Cabinets don’t have to be the same shape, depth or size, so think laterally, and incorporate your TV, soundbar and fireplace into the design, too. This eye-catching unit makes a strong statement, the bold borders and boxy shapes giving it a Mondrian mood.
Which of these tips do you find the most useful? Let us know in the Comments.
Draw on your favourite inspirations to create shelving that’s not only attention-grabbing, but functions well. Cabinets don’t have to be the same shape, depth or size, so think laterally, and incorporate your TV, soundbar and fireplace into the design, too. This eye-catching unit makes a strong statement, the bold borders and boxy shapes giving it a Mondrian mood.
Which of these tips do you find the most useful? Let us know in the Comments.
In a compact space, it’s important to use the full height of the room, but ceiling-high shelves can be inaccessible to all but the super tall. This attached ladder is a smart idea, but you could equally keep fold-out library steps or a compact kick stool hidden away in a nearby corner.
See tips on how to style your shelves