Living Room Storage: Bright & Spacious Solutions
As an Interiors Therapist, Feng Shui consultant and ufurnish content creator, I look at all areas of the home to assess how supportive they are for the occupants, and, where necessary, what can be done to make them perform more efficiently so positive chi energy can flow smoothly throughout the home to bring in auspicious good vibes.
The living room is especially important because in many homes it has, by necessity, become a multi-functional space which must bend to a variety of activities and still align with the needs of the household in order to provide a beautifully relaxing place to chill, socialise and enjoy feeling supremely content.
Here are my tips and suggestions for attractive storage solutions which work with your needs and keep your living room feeling bright and spacious, regardless of size.
Prioritise ditching clutter
We’re all well aware of the chaotic and unwelcoming environment clutter creates in a home. As a first step to enhancing your living room, deal with anything which does not belong there. Relocate it to a place it makes sense for it to be kept or make a decision to part with it sustainably and permanently. Once you know everything you have left justifies its presence in your space, it’s time to consider how to store it.
Well Designed Storage
The human brain responds positively to aesthetically pleasing furniture, and there is absolutely no need for storage to be dull or boring. This cylindrical table by John Lewis would encourage the circulation of Feng Shui energy whilst simultaneously providing hidden and useful deep set storage. If you’re the type of person who frantically tucks things out of sight when an unexpected visitor arrives, this would be right up your street!
Of course, everyone is unique in the styles and periods of furniture which suit their own desires and aspirations. I’m a big fan of a coffee table with a drawer so we always know where to find the remote, hand cream, a pack of playing cards, nail file and the gua sha tools! This painted, country style option from Choice Furniture is both compact and practical for a smaller space.
And this industrial style unit from Wayfair includes a useful shelf for books or a laptop.
Keep it functional
For living rooms doubling up as gym, playroom, library and games room, or where a clear central space makes more sense, it pays to consider a sturdy side table next to an armrest with ample room for a lamp, mug and magazine. What I particularly like about this design by Homary is the combination of drawers and partially concealed cubby shelves to tuck things away, so they are accessible but out of sight. I can think of many cats who would appreciate the privacy this end table would afford them!
Maximise the space
While some homes are ideal for built in storage, if you’re renting unfurnished, or the layout doesn’t have convenient recesses to build into, it’s essential to make the best of the space available by incorporating storage which works for your lifestyle, the footprint of your room and other furniture.
Tall cupboards can be a little oppressive in small rooms, but are both visually rewarding and useful in a larger space. Take a cue from Welsh dresser style and choose something with a cupboard beneath and shelves to display your treasures out of the reach of little hands and swishing tails.
Alternatively look at a sideboard, with a combination of drawers and cupboards to secrete gym equipment or your precious vinyl. This ultra-modern grey design with integrated lighting in the display alcoves gives a luxury feel and would have the hippest granny in a spin. Grey room schemes might be old hat, but grey furniture is here to stay.
TV or not TV
If you grew up in a home where the TV was the centre of attention and entertainment, you’d be astonished how many living rooms simply don’t have them anymore. Yes, some are disguised as wall art or mirrors, but frequently in the places I visit with ‘Find your Perfect Feng Shui Property’ clients, the television has been consigned to a snug or deleted altogether from a scheme in preference for a screen arrangement or nothing at all.
Where a standard TV remains a must, taking advantage of wasted space in a corner can be a brilliant solution. No one wants to see a mess of ugly gaming consoles, wires and controllers, and ufurnish.com has a vast range of corner and regular TV cabinets with storage for all the gaming gubbins and old-school digital box/player. This well-priced warm mango wood design is by Home Detail.
Work it!
Where working from home is part of daily life, it’s vital for your wellbeing, state of mind and self-respect to have a proper, ergonomic desk space. Ideally you would position yourself in the ‘command position’ with a clear view of the door and a solid wall behind your chair to give a sense of control of your environment and an invulnerability to attack… trust me on this! If you routinely sit facing a wall, you’ll not only have the sensation of people (and work) creeping up on you, you’ll also be more prone to headaches, migraine, back and neck pain.
With ‘Suits’ back on Netflix, take a cue from the luxury offices of Harvey and Jessica – they don’t ever sit facing the corner!
This converting desk/coffee table by Pepper Square will fulfil a dual purpose in a smaller room tight and yet still provide a strong, expansive space for you to feel like a boss!
Where working from home is part of daily life, it’s vital for your wellbeing, state of mind and self-respect to have a proper, ergonomic desk space. Ideally you would position yourself in the ‘command position’ with a clear view of the door and a solid wall behind your chair to give a sense of control of your environment and an invulnerability to attack… trust me on this! If you routinely sit facing a wall, you’ll not only have the sensation of people (and work) creeping up on you, you’ll also be more prone to headaches, migraine, back and neck pain.
With ‘Suits’ back on Netflix, take a cue from the luxury offices of Harvey and Jessica – they don’t ever sit facing the corner!
This converting desk/coffee table by Pepper Square will fulfil a dual purpose in a smaller room tight and yet still provide a strong, expansive space for you to feel like a boss!
Overnighters
A storage sofabed is another great solution for a living room, but please never compromise your own sofa comfort for the 300+ days a year when it doesn’t have to be converted. I learned that lesson so you don’t have to!
This vibrant SLF sofa provides a cosy place to sleep for your visitors when they stay over and has room to store spare pillows, duvet and bedlinen so it’s ready when you are.
The ad-hoc stuff
Sometimes you just need a piece of casual, inoffensive storage for gym weights, magazines, toys and the random bits and pieces which always seem to accumulate, even in the tidiest of homes. I’d always encourage putting away work papers and equipment at the end of the day so you can relax without casefiles spoiling your view. This wooden storage by La Redoute would suit papers and is strong enough to manage heavier kit like a laptop. I’ve recommended it for disguising metal element feng shui remedies on a number of occasions as it’s both inconspicuous and allows the remedy to ‘breathe’.
If, like us, you love to snuggle, this capacious lidded basket will keep your throws and blankets fresh and clean for use without spoiling the ambiance of your room.
Wherever you live, a well-organised sitting room with carefully considered storage will reduce stress and anxiety and promote a sense of calm and relaxation.
Take the time to think about how you live, what matters, and which possessions really need to share your living room space and work from there.
If you feel overwhelmed or life isn’t going the way you want it to, jump on a 30-minute mini-consultation with me to identify some of the hidden energy blocks which may be compromising your wellbeing. We can talk through some interiors therapy solutions and if you wish, look at revitalising the energy of your home with Feng Shui. https://calendly.com/interiorstherapy/inspiration
