Originally published December 6, 2022. Updated September 2026 with a summary, next steps and answers to common questions.
If you’re like most families, you spend a lot of time at home in your living room. Like its name suggests, a whole lot of “living” happens in this room, which is exactly why it can quickly become one of the most disorganized and unsightly places in your home. It’s that double-edged sword of wanting to enjoy your space physically while simultaneously enjoying your space aesthetically. And, of course, once you add kids to the mix it’s an entirely new level of difficulty!
Thankfully, there are some incredible designers and organizational experts out there who can help guide you through the nuances of actually living at home without making it look like too much life (i.e. all the clutter and messiness) is going on.
Here are our nine of our favorite tricks for keeping your living room looking its best:
1. Add Shelving Up High. Big storage furniture takes up a lot of space in living rooms, making it a less-than-optimal choice. Instead, look for ways to add storage vertically, like a thin row of shelves above door frames or windows.
2. Invest In Multi-Use Furniture. Think about the items in your living room that instantly add to the clutter and disorganization. How can you create a better spot for this stuff that’s convenient and more aesthetically pleasing? Most of your answers are going to come in the form of furniture that doubles as smart storage. (Think magazine racks, ottomans that open and side tables.)
3. Store It In Your Sofa. Yes, there are sofas that come with built-in storage. And, yes, they are awesome. Our favorites are the ones with drawers on the bottom that make your sofa look like an amazing built-in. (They look best snug up against a wall.)
4. Go Big With Bookshelves. You can add floor-to-ceiling bookshelves that can give the appearance of being built-in without having a huge price tag. (Thank you, Ikea.) It’s one of the best ways to make your living room look more cozy while also giving you loads more storage. With this organizational trick, more is better – fill an entire wall for the best look.
5. Bring On The Baskets. There’s a reason why baskets are so popular – they’re a genius design/organization hack! Rather than having a bunch of little things lying around your living room, group like with like and then organize into baskets. Depending on their size you can leave them on the floor or boost onto bookshelves and coffee tables.
6. Consider A Double-Decker Coffee Table. If you’re wanting to upgrade your coffee table, take a look at the two-tier options available before you make any purchases. Not only are these tables beautiful, but they give you more storage space, too.
7. Reinvent Your Negative Space. Your living room is filled with negative space just waiting to be used creatively. Take a picture of your living room and locate all of the space that’s currently empty (like under benches, on walls, behind sofas, etc.) Then get creative! How can you better use your space so that everything is more organized?
8. When In Doubt, Hide It! Things like electronics, remote controls, mail, and chargers can quickly be tucked into a drawer or basket. It’s one of the fastest and easiest ways to make your living room feel more welcoming!
9. Declutter and Sell. More often than not there’s stuff in your living room that you really don’t need or want. Make it a habit to take inventory of everything in your living room at least once a month and sort into Keep, Relocate, and Sell categories.
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