Here are 10 storage options for living rooms of different sizes and styles. Low shelving provides storage without taking over the room. For a stronger architectural feature, wall-length built-in storage can run from floor to ceiling and anchor a living room wall.
Ideas for Living Room Storage
A walnut wall system gives the room a warm, furniture-like presence. Across these 10 storage styles, aesthetics vary, from dark built-in storage with unlacquered brass hardware to other approaches that contain clutter and help the storage solution integrate with the room.
Designed storage requires intentional planning rather than relying on default storage. The details need to be considered as part of the room.
British-Style Built-In Media Unit
A British-style media unit sits in an alcove wrapped in ivory-white panelling. Picture lights on pivot brackets sit above the upper shelves and illuminate them from above.
Personal styling has built up over time, including framed prints, coastal finds, a lamp, and a candle. In front, a storage ottoman with striped ticking upholstery helps make the room feel softer.
Warm Cream Unit with Traditional Framing
The warm cream traditional frame unit takes an English country approach. An open cubby sits above it, and a panelled cabinet door is below.
Shelves hold a ceramic jug and a stoneware jar. The Frame TV displays apples in bloom in a soft watercolour, so it feels domestic rather than intrusive. Multiple tweed armchairs sit in the living room.
Ink Navy Entertainment Wall
Multiple brass knobs belong to the ink navy built-in. Near the wall, a dark sofa sits beside a low lamp that suits an evening setting.
The floor-to-ceiling wall replaces three or four separate furniture pieces, combining storage, display space, and a media niche across all its surfaces. At night, it can resemble a private library.
Long Low Plywood Scandi Sideboard with Open Cubbies
The long, low shelving unit is made from plywood and has open cubbies. A vinyl collection, a book, and a bar essential fill the shelving unit.
Above it, a gallery wall has prints that are both leaned and hung. The Vertigo pendant hangs overhead and serves as the room focal point. Built-ins are not required for this restrained Scandi design.
Almost Forest Olive Built-In Media Wall
The entire built-in is deep olive, almost forest, with a deep olive television recess built into it. Multiple brass picture rails finish the top of the unit.
An open shelf holds a few objects, while multiple woven rattan baskets provide hidden storage on the lower shelves. The television screen recedes into the room.
Built-in shelving in sage green
In a shade between sage and duck egg, the built-in shelves bring a soft color to the room. Sliding glass doors form part of the shelving and admit afternoon light, while the open upper section holds books, ceramics, and framed photos. Cabinet doors below conceal everyday items.
Floor to Ceiling Grey Fluted Tile Fireplace Surround
Across the fireplace column, grey fluted stone tile runs from floor to ceiling. Blonde wood shelving sits on both sides, with mostly decorative contents such as a small sculpture, a book stack, and a few ceramics. The fireplace serves as the focal point, while the natural-material palette and clean lines keep the surrounding shelves simple.
Niche Shelving
Warm cream surrounds the recessed wall niche. A floating dark wood shelf sits inside it, holding face-forward art, books, and framed prints in a gallery arrangement.
Below the shelving, a flush cream cabinet door conceals storage. The Samsung Frame TV shows a painterly pomegranate print and recedes into the room.
Nearly Black Built-In Cabinetry and Brass Pulls
Multiple brass picture lights are mounted above the shelves. The upper few shelves are open and hold books, a globe, and a single plant. A dark charcoal wall unit, nearly black, fills the entire wall.
Long Low Vinyl Record Shelving
A half-height cubby shelving unit runs across the full room and holds vinyl records upright for accessible storage. Its shelf surface forms a ledge that supports art leaned against the wall.
