Much like any compact room, small living rooms also tend to lack two things – space and storage. While there’s not all that much you can do about the space, there are many clever and creative small living room storage ideas that will effectively give you extra space to store your things and keep clutter at bay.
These expert-recommended small living room ideas are important as clutter can not only make it difficult for you to find everything, but it also tends to make an already small space look even smaller. It goes without saying that’s not ideal as what we want to do in a small lounge is to make the small living room look bigger rather than smaller.
‘In a small living room, storage isn’t just about finding space, it’s about creating it,’ says Max Wilson, co-founder of Pocket Storage. ‘The key is to stop thinking in two dimensions and start working in three, using height, depth, and multi-functionality to your advantage.’
1. Invest in a storage sofa
Every piece of furniture you bring into your small living room should work extra hard. And that includes your best sofa. There are several good storage sofa designs available that are also stylish and comfortable on top of providing extra storage space.
‘Think about having a sofa with built-in storage compartments,’ says Siân Pelleschi, owner of Sorted! and APDO (Association of Professional Declutterers and Organisers) president. ‘Some sofas have under-seat storage, which is perfect for stashing away items you don’t need every day.’
2. Opt for a storage coffee table
Similarly to storage sofas, the best small living room coffee tables also come with storage space, whether that’s shelves on the bottom, drawers or internal storage revealed upon lifting the tabletop.
‘Hidden compartments in furniture such as lift-top coffee tables,’ Siân suggests. ‘These tables lift up to reveal storage underneath. They are great for stashing items out of sight, keeping the living area clutter-free.’
Jane Lee, founder of Jane Lee Interiors and APDO member, continues with more ideas, ‘Old trunks make great coffee tables and are a good hiding place for toys, games, throws, remote controls, etc. – it's easy to open them up and sweep clutter inside when an unexpected visitor calls.'
3. Utilise the windowsill
Maximising living room storage ideas in a small space is largely down to being creative, thinking outside the box and utilising often forgotten areas – like the windowsill.
‘Don’t forget if you can use the window sill safely it’s handy for smaller items or family photos,’ says Victoria Clark, founder of ByVictoriaClark and APDO member. ‘Being cautious of candles if the sun hits them and melts them.’
Of course, make sure you don’t clutter the windowsill area. You can even use storage baskets or colourful storage crates here to keep everything neat and organised.
4. Make use of ‘dead zones’
The windowsill technically counts as a ‘dead zone’, an area of your home or in this case living room, that goes unnoticed and therefore under-utilised. But there are more of those.
‘Don’t overlook “dead zones”, those often-forgotten spaces that can quietly expand your storage potential. Shallow shelving above doorways or windows can display books or decorative items,’ Max at Pocket Storage explains.
5. Add storage containers under the sofa
Even if you don’t opt for a storage sofa design, your sofa can still provide you with storage space if it comes with legs and is therefore lifted off the ground. That gap between the sofa and the floor is the perfect opportunity to include a slim storage container.
‘Slim, wheeled containers under a sofa are ideal for storing board games or extra throws,’ Max at Pocket Storage says.
Victoria from ByVictoriaClark agrees, ‘I personally even store some flat items under the sofa often. No one can see them and it’s a handy, safe space to put long or flat items. A favourite hidden storage area for me.’
6. Make the most of vertical space
If your sitting room lacks space in width and depth, you can always turn to the height to incorporate some living room storage ideas. The vertical space is often severely under-utilised – so don’t make this common mistake, too.
‘Utilising vertical space is one way. Wall-mounted shelving can instantly take items off the floor and use space often overlooked. Install floating shelves for books, decorative items, or even small plants without taking up floor space. Opt for tall, narrow bookcases to make use of vertical space without encroaching on the room's footprint or consider installing a stylish pegboard to hang items like keys, bags, or even small plants, adding both function and a unique visual element,’ Siân advises.
7. Invest in a storage ottoman
Opting for multipurpose furniture is easier in the living room than in any other room as most of the key pieces of furniture are widely manufactured with hidden storage already built in, much like the very useful ottoman.
‘Look at multifunctional furniture such as storage ottomans that provide a dual function – serving as both seating and storage. Use them to store blankets, magazines, or other small items,’ Siân says.
8. Utilise corners of the room
Similarly to the vertical space of the room, corners are also often overlooked when arranging furniture in a small living room. But when space is at a premium and you’re struggling to find storage opportunities, it would be a mistake to leave any corner under-utilised.
‘Look to use corners more effectively by looking at installing corner shelves to make use of often-overlooked spaces. These can hold decorative items, books, or even small baskets for additional storage and a corner cabinet or a triangular shelving unit can provide ample storage without taking up much space,’ Siân recommends.
9. Stock up on storage baskets
Storage baskets are one of the most aesthetically pleasing storage solutions that should be used in any living room, big or small. And that’s because they are so versatile and can be placed pretty much anywhere – they make for the perfect decorative element for living room shelving ideas in our opinion.
‘Using baskets or containers to help hide any kind of random "stuff" is ideal if you want to go for that streamlined and minimalistic look,’ says Victoria Fearnley, founder of Surrey Decluttering and APDO member. ‘Not every budget stretches to built-in storage!’
Victoria of ByVictoriaClark continues, ‘I love a basket! Baskets can also be put in the corner of a room or at the side if there is no furniture against the wall. Sometimes some really pretty ones. An option could also be, if you had the space, to bring the sofa a little further away from the wall and have storage boxes behind the sofa and hide away things you don’t want on show.’
10. Make use of forgotten areas with organisers
You might be noticing a trend with most of these small living room storage ideas – which is utilising often overlooked areas. We’ve already covered the vertical space of the room and corners. But there’s more – like the sides of chairs and sofa arms or the back of doors.
‘Over-the-door or over-the-arm organisers are great for holding small items like remotes, books, or even chargers. They utilise the back of doors, and sides of sofas and chairs, an often-ignored storage opportunity,’ Siân says.
Victoria Clark adds, ‘There are really stylish hanging magazine racks which maybe you can hang off the back of the door. I love using the backs of a door. Space we don’t always consider! As long as you can open the door safely. The back of the door is often missed. Really handy for so many options.’
11. Build in storage
If your budget allows, then built-in storage is perhaps the best small living room storage solution as it’s made to fit your space perfectly. But the downside is, of course, the accompanying price tag. So we recommend utilising this tool only if really needed - such as when dealing with an awkwardly shaped space.
‘When trying to make the best use of awkward spaces, fitted furniture can be a game-changer,’ says Melissa Denham, interior stylist at Hammonds Fitted Furniture. ‘Bespoke to fit the dimensions and layout of your living room, custom-made furniture ensures no inch goes to waste. Built-in shelving and cabinets are excellent for creating additional storage without dominating valuable floor space. These can be designed to fit around your windows and doorways, providing a cohesive look that blends with your existing design.’
12. Incorporate under-bench storage
If your small living room has a bay window or you’re looking for some alcove ideas for your living space, then installing a bench with hidden storage could be the perfect solution.
‘Something like under-bench storage is great if you have a bay window or a small alcove or spare wall space. Add drawers or lift-up seats to store items like blankets, books, or seasonal decor in,’ Siân suggests.
Melissa agrees, ‘A window seat with built-in storage can act as a charming and functional element in your small living area. Combining seating and storage in one, a custom-made window seat offers a cosy nook to relax while keeping clutter out of sight and mind.’
Top storage picks
Storage ottomans are excellent solutions for small living spaces because of their many functions - it's extra seating, storage space and can even double as a coffee table with a tray on top. And this striped Dunelm design is both functional and stylish.
This best-selling organising caddy from Amazon is perfect for holding little things like your TV remote control, a magazine, a book, your glasses and more - all the loose items that can be perceived as clutter in a small living room.
While these over-the-door storage basket solutions are most popular for bathrooms, they can be just as effective in a small lounge, displaying everything from houseplants to games.
Floating shelves are the perfect storage solution for an airy, uncluttered look. And this Amazon set of 3 for under £50 is one of the most reasonably priced we've seen.
While you can certainly opt for a more simple storage basket design, we love the decorative nature of this wavy style from Habitat - ideal for containing small loose items and electronics.
Even a shelf, like this Dunelm corner design, can be mutifunctional, doubling as a floor lamp and a storage unit. Plus it will fill an under-utilised corner of the room so it's a win-win.
This Next storage sofa which also happens to be modular is a design that really impressed me recently and I can't stop talking about it.
If you want to utilise the space underneath your sofa, slim underbed storage boxes like these Amazon ones will work perfectly.
Not only does this DUSK coffee table provide plenty of internal storage, but it can also be turned into a great WFH spot by lifting top and moving it up and closer to the sofa.
FAQs
How do I get the most storage in my small room?
A level of creativity and ingenuity is certainly needed when coming up with small living room storage ideas. Every unused corner or gap can be a storage opportunity and that’s exactly how you need to look at them.
‘Creating storage in a small living room requires a mix of creativity and smart furniture choices. You can maximise every inch of your living room while keeping it stylish and functional. The key is to prioritise what you truly need and find clever ways to store or hide it when not in use,’ says Siân Pelleschi, owner of Sorted! and APDO president.
How do you make a small living room look less cluttered?
A small lounge can easily become cluttered and look messy – so regularly decluttering your living room is a must, as is incorporating enough storage space to hide your belongings in.
‘When you've got a small living room, it doesn't take much for it to start looking messy. Regularly sorting through your belongings is important to ensure that you stay on top of things and keep your room looking clutter-free,’ says Melissa Denham, interior stylist at Hammonds Fitted Furniture.
Victoria Clark, APDO member and founder of ByVictoriaClark, adds, ‘Too much sometimes can make you feel too squashed so remember to only aim to keep the items you really cherish and need in the room if it’s tight for space. Whilst storage is important we don’t want to hide away things we don’t need or use.’
This way, you should be able to keep on top of any clutter and make your small living room look stylish, as well as streamlined and organised.
