ORGANIZING A LIVING ROOM: 10 PRO TIPS TO MAKE YOUR AREA TIDIER

If you are organizing a living room, you will be aware that having a designated space for each item lays the groundwork for a comforting sense of order. These diligent suggestions will make things right.

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Although maintaining your living room's organization may seem like an endless task, it's essential to creating your ideal space.

We'd hate to get rid of the idea that disorder is a sign of a lived-in, comfortable place entirely. Not every room needs to resemble a minimalist or purist sanctuary, after all. We do want to make things more accessible and appealing enough to appreciate every day.

ORGANIZING A LIVING ROOM:

Simon Tcherniak, the senior furniture designer at Neville Johnson, asserts that as people spend more time at home, they are more conscious than ever of the need for space (opens in new tab). "Forgotten rooms are being revitalized as peaceful retreats or multipurpose living areas.

The demand is currently highest in the living area. In order to fully enjoy the extra family time that has been made available to us all in recent months, homeowners are looking for a dynamic space that gives them the time to concentrate on their daily tasks while also allowing them to shut it off in the evening.

According to Camilla Clarke, Creative Director at Albion Nord, "We like to create spaces that feel layered and homely, that enable you to create mess without feeling messy or needing to put things away as soon as you put them out." Making a room feel cozy and not cold or uninhabitable is crucial. Make an effort to organize storage for the items that don't need to be on display, but be sure to honor and flaunt the items that make you happy.

According to professionals, these are our best, time-tested methods for organizing a living room.

1. Declutter Visible Surfaces

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Decluttering surface areas in a small living room is particularly important, but be realistic before you start. Organization can give the appearance of more space. Sandrine Zhang Ferron, the founder of Vinterior, thinks it will never be entirely possible to exist without a variety of small and useful things that need storing away somewhere 

Instead, designate small spaces for storage in your living room that are both useful and attractive. These areas can range from roomier furnishings like freestanding cupboards to side tables and living room shelving that can be neatly tucked into an alcove or corner.

2. Remodel the area under the stairs if your living room is open-concept.

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The opportunity to be creative when it comes to finding additional space that can house shelving and drawers is provided by built-in living room furniture, which will make every nook and cranny work as hard as possible.

According to Simon Tcherniak, sen

ior furniture designer at Neville Johnson, "We've seen significant growth over the past few years in homeowners converting their under-stair area — in an open-plan living room." This is in large part because our homes are becoming more and more constrained by space.

Currently, the emphasis appears to be on using stair ideas as a storage space or workspace area for the entire family, though it is also evolving into a more multifunctional area, particularly as more of us are choosing to renovate rather than build new homes.

3. Remain Covered By A Screen

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"We enjoy using screens to divide rooms," says Paolo Moschino, CEO of interior design firm Nicholas Haslam. "It's very important to me not to reveal everything at once, and screens are ideal for that because they conceal surprises behind them and, particularly in big rooms, they enclose the space and foster coziness. As an added benefit, you can simply fold your screen and take it with you on new adventures if you move to a new home.

Instead, using room dividers is a great method to utilize unused space and design a home with a broken-plan layout. Designer at Neville Johnson Simon Tcherniak makes this statement. Consider using especially tall bookcases to take advantage of the height when designing a room divider to fit around the home's natural architectural features. You could also choose open or concealed shelves, which let you show off your decorations or conceal clutter.

4. Create A Living Room With Multiple Uses

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Those of us who are fortunate enough to have a private space to retreat have gladly come to appreciate the tranquil haven they offer over the past couple of years. But now that many of us work from home frequently, we are considering the best ways to incorporate home office concepts into our living rooms. But how can you make a living place that is already functional more beautiful? It is feasible.

Storage or living room organizers that blend into the backdrop is crucial for maintaining a composed look in an organized living room that also serves as a study. Once more, notice the desk and built-in storage in this well-planned layout. It's so subdued that it almost disappears, allowing the living room's ornamental accents to take center stage.

5. Make Room For Valuable Items

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Since few of us enjoy the thought of getting rid of our beloved books, organizing the bookshelves in a growing home library can be difficult, especially if the house is not very big. Look around to see if there is any "dead" space that could be better utilized after you have used up all of the shelf space in the living room, including double stacking if required.

Eamonn Agha of the design and construct firm Huntsmore advises placing books or decorative items in the natural shallow recesses and alcoves found in many older homes' living rooms or family rooms. "This instantly gives the house a warm, lived-in feeling."

You might also consider enclosing heaters and designing living room bookshelves around them; this will make the books stand out rather than the joinery.

6. Access Everywhere

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Use the available ceiling heights to your advantage when looking for additional living room storage space. The ideal quantity of extra space can be provided by built-in joinery or off-the-shelf solutions to house items only used on special occasions or infrequently read books.

However, whenever it's practical, consider including a ladder for entry. According to Annie Ebenston, a designer at Blakes London, "They work especially well in period conversions". Why squander the potential for high-level stowage when a ladder can be built in? In addition to the obvious practical advantages, they contribute to personality.

7. Maintain everything in plain sight.

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It might seem counterproductive to keep things in plain sight, but there is a method to the chaos. Not everything needs to be stored away when it comes to living room organization; in fact, decorative storage options can significantly alter the appearance and feel of your space. Plus, if it is in plain sight, you will be compelled to keep it neat, tidy, and organized.

An open-plan living room, which may have a reasonable amount of blank wall space, works especially well with a group of simple floating shelves or lovely wall decor ideas. In addition to keeping side and coffee tables free of clutter, they also bring something interesting that draws attention. If you want open shelving to store everyday items, it's best to mount it just above eye level and within easy reach. Along a row of open shelving, stack collections of your best books, photographs, and artwork for a stylized appearance. Curating a lovely display will keep your living room appearing tidy and contribute to its aesthetic appeal.

In order to conceal the non-everyday things that you might not want on display, Clarke advises having some type of concealed storage. We enjoy combining high-level open shelving with hidden stowage. Open shelving to show off books, artwork, and photos, and hidden storage to tuck away items that shouldn't be on exhibit.

8. Use Color To divert Attention From Desired Storage

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Although it doesn't have to be visually dominant, utility, such as storage, must be at the center of your design when thinking about an organized living room plan.

Although most living rooms undoubtedly have some form of technology, the tendency is towards completely covert solutions. The living room TV has been kept "hidden" in this well-planned arrangement within a designated small living room storage area, along one side of the wall. Making a focal point of the room—say, a complimentary color scheme for the living room—will draw attention to it and make it seem just as carefully thought out as any other living space.

Interior designer Athena Calderone, founder of EyeSwoon, claims that your design strategy for a living room is similar to that of any other room in the home. Keep in mind that it is a sensitive dance between beauty and usefulness, intended to inspire you every day while also being rooted in reality.

9. Invest In Solutions For Double Duty Furnishings

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Built-in and standalone storage benches have advanced significantly in recent years, and many modern designs unquestionably do not compromise aesthetic appeal for the benefit of additional storage space. The drawers in these units can be organized to make it easier to store items when not in use or to keep soft furnishings like throws and cushions close at hand.

If you're not in the market for a new couch or side table but your current model has legs, consider putting some low storage boxes underneath it in the same color or material, for a close-to-seamless way to arrange a living room.

10. Sort the clutter in the living room behind closed doors

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Do not worry if organizing your living room is the last item on your mind. Even in busy households, not everyone has the opportunity to dedicate themselves to ongoing cleaning. A wall of hidden small living room storage is the ultimate fuss-free choice and the ideal solution for those who dislike clutter. Utilize the ceiling height to its fullest by installing extra-tall cabinets and placing infrequently used items at the top.

How Should I Arrange My Living Room?

The most crucial step in organizing your sitting room is to assess everything you own, including your collection of art, books, and objects, and determine how much storage you require. Thinking about how you keep items—whether you prefer having items on display or hiding them in cupboards and drawers—helps define what you need, according to designer Nathalie de Leval

Louise Bradley, an interior decorator, suggests determining what you use the most. Which products do you use every day? The living arrangements will be simple and fuss-free if they are nearby.

Base Interior's Deborah Bass, the company's creative head, advises against having too much uniform storage. Have freestanding pieces as well, such as an antique chest, to prevent the show-home appearance, she advises.

We also advise you to routinely clean up and discard anything you no longer consider to be useful or sentimental. It's neither wasteful nor shameful to toss away items you no longer need, according to organizing expert Marie Kondo. "Let them go, and thank you. When you are finished tidying, not only you but your things will feel distinct and renewed.