According to interiors experts, the top space-saving solutions and practises are:

According to interiors experts, the top space-saving solutions and practises are:

Every home, no matter how big or tiny, might benefit from more room. You can make your home feel far more orderly and roomy than ever before by cleaning the clutter and employing well-thought-out storage that matches your family's needs. You can also use some smart tactics to give the illusion of greater space.

Start with a thorough purge and be merciless, donating anything you don't use to charity, selling them on eBay, or selling them at yard sales, and taking broken and worn items to your local household trash recycling centre.

Storage in living rooms can be difficult. Choosing pieces that offer as much multipurpose storage possibilities as possible is the key to having your living room storage spot on.

According to Marie Kondo's best-selling book The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, organising remaining items by kind and designating one spot for each – such as all books, stationery, shoes, and so on – helps with organisation and reveals the sort of storage required.

If you're looking for more storage ideas, have a look at our compact living room storage ideas.

1. SELECT A SOFA IN THE CORNER


Do you have a little sitting room? Choose a corner, chaise, or L-shaped sofa to make the most of your limited space. A sofa like this can work as a room divider, breaking up open plan areas without overwhelming the room with too much furniture by providing adequate space for family and friends to sit.

Choose a sofa with narrow, tall legs instead of one with the entire seat made to touch the floor; the more floor you can see underneath, the more large the space will appear.

'L-shaped sofas are known for their utilitarian and space-saving features,' explains Sabrina Miller, Head of Buying at Heal's. They can quadruple your seating options without taking up much more room than a normal sofa.'

2. KEEP YOUR OFFICE IN YOUR HOME LIGHT AND BRIGHT


Working from home has probably been elevated to a whole new level in your home this year. From Monday to Friday, when you could have sat your laptop on your kitchen or dining table, houses across the country have had to adjust, doubling as cosy and effective office environments.

In a multipurpose area like this, it's critical to invest in comfy, beautiful home office furniture to ensure the office doesn't spill over into your personal life. Look for a desk with matching storage that will fit in with your current design. To keep the appearance coherent, use pale woods with smooth rounded edges.

'If the walls in your makeshift office space are dark, it might be ideal to remodel your walls to a lighter colour that will allow natural light to reflect off the walls and make your place feel bigger and brighter,' Sabrina recommends.

This will also serve as a light, bright backdrop for any video calls you may have to conduct with clients or coworkers.

3. GENERATE THE IMAGINATION OF SPACE


Mirrors are one of the simplest ways to increase the amount of space in a room. It plainly does not generate space; rather, it creates the sense of space. Adding a reflecting surface to a wall will act as a window into an adjacent room, creating the impression of extra space while bouncing light about the space.

Try covering a full wall with an enormous mirror or a cluster of little mirrors that act as wall art.

'If you need more storage in a bedroom but don't have the space for another closet, mirrors with storage space behind them are a terrific way to add useful storage space and create a feature,' Sabina recommends.

4. BUY A CREATIVE CONSOLE


An attractive console table not only provides additional storage but also serves as a beautiful display piece to brighten up your living room.

Letters can be stored in built-in drawers, and spare linens can be folded neatly in a basket underneath. A cabinet dresser is an elegant and efficient solution to add storage to your living area.

'It's a pity to hide our favourite things away, but with a dresser cabinet, you can exhibit them while keeping them dust-free,' explains Elena Paparozzi, Buyer at Heal's. 'You can also use a console table to store less show-worthy goods while displaying accessories to bring colour to your area.'

5. USE VERTICAL LINES THAT ARE STRONG


In a confined space, use strong vertical lines to attract the attention higher.

A ladder shelf is a beautiful way to introduce vertical lines to your living space while also providing a unique storage solution. The ladder can be used to hold books or letters, and it can be decorated with a few plants and ornaments. This will make it appear as if there is more space.

'A tall shelving unit will also work for introducing vertical lines to your living area,' Elena says. Consider adding an industrial unit to provide the appearance of height, and the metal frames are great for supporting the weight of multiple books and vases.'

6. INSTALL A COFFEE TABLE FOR ADDITIONAL STORAGE


Coffee tables are an important part of our living room, and they also serve as excellent storage.

To maximise the quantity of storage, choose a coffee table with deep drawers and a shelf.

'Because your coffee table is likely to be cluttered (think magazines, remotes, coasters, and books), it only makes sense to invest in a coffee table that also serves as a storage space,' Elena explains. 'A coffee table built of salvaged wood with a toughened glass top will last longer.'

7. INCLUDE A SIDEBOARD IN YOUR STRATEGY.


A sideboard belongs in every living area; it's ideal for storing stuff you don't want on display. Elegant details such as lamps, candles, and your favourite memories can be added to sideboards with wide tops.

'Sideboards are a terrific piece of furniture for any living or dining room,' Elena suggests. 'A sideboard will offer plenty of storage space and is the perfect spot to display flowers and photo frames.'

'For a classic style, choose a high-quality oak design that will last a lifetime and is also really stylish.'

8. USE STORAGE BASKETS TO DECLUTTER


One of the best living room storage ideas is to use baskets. Baskets come in a variety of forms and sizes, and they have a wonderful tactile touch that adds character to any scheme. They're perfect for decluttering your living room in a stylish approach.

"Belly baskets are highly on trend," Elena says, "and the variety of designs and forms available make them excellent for adding into any plan." Blankets, magazines, and plants can all be stored in them.'

9. USE WALL SHELVES TO SAVE SPACE


If space is limited, getting as much furniture off the floor as possible creates the sense of a larger area. Deep shelves can be used to exhibit and store a variety of goods such as books, photos, and plants, and wall shelves are great for this.

Elena advises, 'Stay organised in style.' 'A small shelf design will allow you to decorate without taking up too much space.' Wall shelves transform bare walls into usable storage places, and if the shelves are appealing and their display areas are well-styled, they can even become works of art in their own right.'

10. STORE BELONGINGS UNDER THE STAIRS


Storage is ideal in nooks and corners. Using a variety of elegant boxes and baskets, you can simply transform the vacant or untidy space beneath your staircase into an organised oasis.

'Unleashing the possibilities of this nook can assist you in finding a new home for books, toys, or shoes. Because there isn't a door to hide things behind, you may be more creative with how you display your storage. To clear up unsightly clutter, stack your boxes and baskets into streamlined stacks.'

11. USE NESTING TABLES TO EXTEND YOUR SPACE


Nesting tables are perfect for compact areas since they can be utilised around the room for beverages when needed and then tucked away neatly when not in use. You can also use nice accents like house plants and lighting.

'Nesting tables are excellent space savers for tiny rooms. They allow you to save space without sacrificing functionality. You may save a lot of space by using stacked tables.'

12. BESPOKE SHELVING SHOULD BE INCLUDED


To get the most out of your living room storage space, purpose-built shelving is the best alternative. Built-in storage solutions are a natural fit for tricky alcoves and sloping roofs.

'With built-in shelf units, there are no boundaries; they can be customised to fit the space properly, and they can even contain televisions, books, portraits, and ornaments. 'Making the space useful for storage while also highlighting a major aspect of the room.'

13. INSTALL AN ATTRACTIVE OTTOMAN


In small living rooms, space is at a premium, so furniture that doubles as storage is always a plus. Ottomans with storage are ideal for adding flair and functionality to your living area. Whether you need to store towels, blankets, bedding, or shoes, ottomans are a charming addition to any room, not just your living room.

'Storage ottomans come in a variety of shapes and sizes, making them ideal for any decor. 'For a stylistic statement that doubles as a secret storage area, choose a lovely upholstered version in a strong jewel shade.'

Jennifer works for Homes & Gardens as the Digital Editor. She's been in the interiors field for a number of years, working on a variety of magazines, and now she's honing her digital prowess on the world's 'greatest interiors website.' Jennifer is multi-talented, having worked in public relations and marketing, as well as dabbling in social media, commercial, and e-commerce.

She's written about every aspect of the home over the years, from assembling design houses from some of the world's greatest interior designers to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances, and even the occasional news article.