11 Living Room Shelving Ideas to Choose From
Living rooms are heavily-used, busy places that need smart storage facilities that are functional and good to look at
Looking for some inspiration for your living room shelves? These brilliant ideas will help you design the perfect storage to fit into your space, whatever its shape or size.
This simple, smart design leaves space for the television and media equipment to remain on show.
2. Frame a window
Another way to bring in the look of alcove shelving is to use a window as your central element. Here, the wall spaces either side of the sash window have been turned into attractive storage features.
Another way to bring in the look of alcove shelving is to use a window as your central element. Here, the wall spaces either side of the sash window have been turned into attractive storage features.
3. Make the most of recessed shelving
Shelving that’s been cut into the wall is a lovely, neat solution that doesn’t intrude on a room. You can allow the recessed shelves to blend into the wall, or you can make a feature of them.
These shelves have been designed to form an unusual shape, and painted in a contrasting colour to the purple wall so they stand out. The result is both practical and striking.
Shelving that’s been cut into the wall is a lovely, neat solution that doesn’t intrude on a room. You can allow the recessed shelves to blend into the wall, or you can make a feature of them.
These shelves have been designed to form an unusual shape, and painted in a contrasting colour to the purple wall so they stand out. The result is both practical and striking.
4. Combine hidden storage with open shelves
Fitted cupboards and drawers are a practical way to provide lots of storage. However, an entire wall of units can look overpowering. Break it up a little by including some open shelves in the centre. These shelves provide an interesting twist to the expanse of units and turn the storage solution into a unique design statement.
Fitted cupboards and drawers are a practical way to provide lots of storage. However, an entire wall of units can look overpowering. Break it up a little by including some open shelves in the centre. These shelves provide an interesting twist to the expanse of units and turn the storage solution into a unique design statement.
5. Put your eyes to the floor
Maximise any unused space at ground level by tucking in some storage that can be pulled out. Here, a wide wooden container looks beautiful in the recess and provides plenty of storage space. Make the container easy to move by adding some wheels to the bottom.
Maximise any unused space at ground level by tucking in some storage that can be pulled out. Here, a wide wooden container looks beautiful in the recess and provides plenty of storage space. Make the container easy to move by adding some wheels to the bottom.
6. Colour-code to prevent clutter
For an eclectic look, include a variety of shelving units in your living room. When mixing and matching storage, it’s a good idea to be clever with your styling. Here, the owners have used colour-coding to arrange their books neatly and prevent the room from looking cluttered. The effect is both eye-catching and fun.
The art of organising by colour
For an eclectic look, include a variety of shelving units in your living room. When mixing and matching storage, it’s a good idea to be clever with your styling. Here, the owners have used colour-coding to arrange their books neatly and prevent the room from looking cluttered. The effect is both eye-catching and fun.
The art of organising by colour
7. Go up and over the door
Think you’ve run out of wall space? You could always use the area above the door. The shelves here go all the way up to the ceiling and over the door frame. Not only does it provide a vast amount of storage, it also makes a feature of the door. Don’t forget, though, that you’ll need a library ladder to access the top shelves.
Think you’ve run out of wall space? You could always use the area above the door. The shelves here go all the way up to the ceiling and over the door frame. Not only does it provide a vast amount of storage, it also makes a feature of the door. Don’t forget, though, that you’ll need a library ladder to access the top shelves.
8. Style up your staircase
If your stairs are in the living room, it makes sense to turn them into a feature. Here, the banister has been replaced by a floor-to-ceiling shelving unit that provides ample storage and looks fantastic.
If your stairs are in the living room, it makes sense to turn them into a feature. Here, the banister has been replaced by a floor-to-ceiling shelving unit that provides ample storage and looks fantastic.
9. Plump for a modular design
For shelving that’s flexible, opt for a modular system. This wall is covered by a flexible design that allows shelves to be added or adjusted whenever the need arises. The modern design looks sleek and stylish and adds an industrial edge to the period property.
For shelving that’s flexible, opt for a modular system. This wall is covered by a flexible design that allows shelves to be added or adjusted whenever the need arises. The modern design looks sleek and stylish and adds an industrial edge to the period property.
10. Maximise space with a ladder shelf
If you want to add some attractive freestanding storage, you can’t beat a ladder shelf. The design is simple and elegant, and the angled shape makes it unobtrusive. A pair of ladder shelves have been tucked into a corner of this living room, providing a useful storage feature that doesn’t block the light from the window.
11 ways to use ladders in your home
If you want to add some attractive freestanding storage, you can’t beat a ladder shelf. The design is simple and elegant, and the angled shape makes it unobtrusive. A pair of ladder shelves have been tucked into a corner of this living room, providing a useful storage feature that doesn’t block the light from the window.
11 ways to use ladders in your home
11. Pop a shelf in your seating
Make the most of the space below a seat by adding a shelf. This cosy room features a custom-built bench, with a comfortable cushion along the top and a handy shelf below.
Make the most of the space below a seat by adding a shelf. This cosy room features a custom-built bench, with a comfortable cushion along the top and a handy shelf below.
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10 Ways Built-ins Offer a Bounty of Storage
What do you think of these living room shelving ideas? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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10 Ways Built-ins Offer a Bounty of Storage
If you want to hide all your items away, consider adding some doors to your shelving. This nifty storage unit has room for all sorts of stuff, including media items. Everything is arranged neatly so it looks good while open, but for a more streamlined look, the doors can be closed.