Tidy Up! 4 Easy, Stylish Storage Solutions
For many of us, it's a fact of life: We have too much stuff and not enough places to tuck it away. But there is a remedy. By integrating stylish storage solutions into your decor, you can organize and stow all the things that accumulate in your living room but still keep them close at hand. Plus, these pieces will spruce up your space. Read on―a happier, more orderly life awaits.
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1. Divide and Conquer
Separate rooms visually while increasing your storage capacity with a freestanding bookcase. Despite the unit's large size, the open construction allows light to flow through so the shelves don't weigh down the room. Choose a style that blends with your furnishings, and remember to add pretty touches, such as vases of flowers.
2. Work the Room
Integrating a desk into your living room can solve a variety of organizing challenges. Use it as a bill-paying center, a place where the kids can do homework and still feel part of the action, or a general workstation, whether you're planning a vacation or making a grocery list. But whatever you do, don't let it become a catchall, allowing mail and other pieces of paper to pile up on the surface. On this desk (right) cubbyholes are used to sort bills; other papers are kept in decorative storage boxes. Above, floating shelves turn rows of books into an attractive display.
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3. Fit it All in a Sideboard
Think about what you need to store, then look for one piece that will accommodate it all. If you want to keep most of your belongings completely out of sight, a piece of furniture such as a sideboard, console or credenza may be the best solution. Many sideboards have drawers and cabinets, providing a place for a variety of objects.
4. Make it Modular
When flexibility is of utmost importance, stackable storage units are the answer. They can be configured to suit your needs, then reconfigured when you want to make a change. A set of cubes (far right) is arranged in varying heights and does double duty as an entertainment center. Or stack them evenly in columns of three or four.
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