I know you have a busy life. You’re probably a working parent with tons of stuff going on day after day.

In your “downtime” you like to scroll the gram and look at pretty pins.

The allure of picture-perfect homes shown in magazines and on the socials can leave you feeling inadequate when your rooms don't quite measure up. All those influencers and design sites are telling you that you need to clear everything out and have a “magazine ready” home to be happy.

Hooey!

Let's face it: life gets messy.

Instead of striving for unattainable perfection, why not embrace practicality and functionality in your rooms?

The truth is clutter does detract from a “designer” look. But you have stuff, and all the other people you share your home with have stuff too, right?

Today I’m going to tell you about my hands-down, favorite furniture solutions. These not only help you maintain a neat and tidy space but also keep your essential items conveniently accessible and sometimes -out of sight.

The goal here is to help you spend more time enjoying your space rather than stressing about the stuff in it.

Storage Ottomans Will Save the Day!

Storage ottomans are the unsung heroes of clutter-free living. They’re great for extra seating and even better as a discreet storage solution.

Whether you need extra space to stow away blankets, pillows, or remote controls, a storage ottoman can be one of your most practical and stylish furniture choices.

Round ottomans for small, tricky rooms.

Round ottomans are best for rooms with tricky layouts. Their circular shape helps them to fit in rooms with awkward angles or limited space.

1. Versatile Placement: Unlike rectangular options, round ottomans can be placed in the center of a room without obstructing traffic flow. This makes them a great choice for open living rooms or spaces where flexibility is needed.

2. Space-Saving Design: Small round storage ottomans can be used for extra seating without overwhelming the room visually. Their compact size makes them better for smaller apartments or cozy living rooms where every square inch counts. (They will tuck under an open console to keep them out of pathways.)

3. Stylish Statement Piece: Round ottomans can also be the perfect accent piece to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your room. If you’re nervous about adding a bold pattern or texture to your furniture, a smaller ottoman could be the ideal piece to dip your toe into patterns and boldness.

Long or oval ones for narrow rooms.

In narrow rooms where floor space is at a premium, long or oval ottomans offer an effective solution for maximizing seating and storage without sacrificing style or comfort.

1. Linear Design: Long or oval ottomans are tailor-made for narrow spaces, thanks to their elongated shape. In narrow rooms, a long oval storage ottoman will act as a cocktail ottoman, in front of a sofa. If you have a wider room, a rectangular option will bridge the distance between two sofas facing each other or a sofa and two chairs facing each other.

2. Storage Solutions: Try to find long or oval ottomans with built-in storage to stash away blankets, pillows, or other essentials. This added functionality ensures that every inch of space is used, keeping clutter at bay.

3. Seamless Integration: Long or oval ottomans create better flow from one end of a room to the other. Whether placed against a wall or used as a divider between different areas, they’re versatile, practical, and stylish accents.

Drawers and Doors in Furniture

Say goodbye to cluttered countertops and choose furniture with doors and drawers to conceal all the things that don’t need to be out all the time.

From coffee tables with storage to bed frames with built-in drawers, these pieces provide tons of space to stash away everyday essentials to keep your room looking neat and tidy, without sacrificing functionality.

Coffee Tables with Storage:

Consider coffee tables with drawer compartments and visible legs create a more spacious feel in smaller rooms.

Choosing tables with legs allows you to see underneath them. When you can see the floor and wall under and around furniture pieces like coffee tables, it makes your room seem larger, compared to solid, floor-hugging designs.

Keep in mind the shape of coffee tables.

Longer, narrow ones, much like the long and oval ottomans mentioned before, work well in narrow rooms.
Round ones work well in front of sectionals where walkways are tight. (No corners to navigate around.)

Square coffee tables with storage are better for larger rooms where there’s more space to maneuver around the table's corners.

Lift top coffee tables

They feature a top surface that can be raised to a comfortable height for many different functions. You can use them as a coffee table, dining table, or makeshift desk. These are an ideal option for work from home folks who may not have a dedicated home office space.

Even better yet, this also means that these coffee tables have hidden storage compartments underneath the top, providing space to stow away magazines, remote controls, board games, and other clutter.

This dual functionality makes lift top coffee tables great for small apartments or cozy living rooms where maximizing space is most needed.

Storage Beds

Storage beds are great for smaller rooms where space to store things is limited.

In compact bedrooms where “traditional” bedroom furniture may not fit, storage beds are a discreet and space-saving alternative, eliminating the need for bulky dressers or clunky chests.

The hidden storage space allows for quick access to essentials while keeping the room tidy and organized. Keep extra bedding, toys, clothes, books and more in the drawers.

Best of all, storage beds help streamline your room's aesthetic by reducing visual clutter and enhancing its overall spaciousness and tranquility.

Storage Bed Tips:

If you have nightstands on either side of your bed, drawers on the bottom of the bed work best to have full access.

Floating bedside tables will work best if you do have drawers on the side of your storage bed. The tables can float above the bed frame, leaving you easy access to the drawers on the side.

Genius Ways to Keep Your Family Room Tidy

Your family room is probably your favorite gathering spot in your home. It’s where you relax, play, and spend quality time together.

However, toys, books, and other stuff can quickly turn this space into a chaotic mess.

Luckily, there are plenty of awesome storage pieces to keep your stuff handy, while keeping your family room uncluttered.

Stylish Storage for Toys and Games

Finding a balance between tidiness and accessibility is key when it comes to storing toys and games in your family room.

Choose stylish storage bins, baskets, or cubbies that tie in with your decor to store everything from toys and art supplies to books, papers, and homework.

I like these fabric storage boxes that you can find in many home décor stores to keep stuff discreetly organized. The great thing about these is they’re soft and light, so kids can easily get them off the shelf when they need something.

Think about installing narrow picture ledge shelving on the walls to keep books off the floor or furniture tops.

The books can even look like art, enhancing the décor of your room while being conveniently at hand when needed.

Discreet Display Options for Books and Magazines

While books and magazines can add character to a room, they can also become visual clutter if left scattered about.

Use bookcases to keep your books on display and easily accessible.

Think about displaying your books by color to keep your shelves looking curated and tidy. Color blocking your books in this way is more visually soothing if they’re on display.

I prefer etagere style shelves in smaller rooms because they’re open on the back and sides. When you can see the wall behind tall shelves in small rooms, the space will feel larger.

Tip: Mix up your décor on shelves. Don’t just display books. Add in other décor of various sizes, shapes, heights, and scale, to make the shelves feel more visually appealing. Remember to leave open space too. Negative space helps to keep your décor feeling curated and styled rather than cluttered.

An end table with magazine or book storage would be a practical and stylish addition to your living room.

It combines the functionality of a traditional end table with the convenience of built-in magazine storage, for a clutter-free storage option.

Conclusion

Creating a tidy and organized living space doesn't have to be a daunting task.

By bringing in furniture that cleverly conceals clutter, you can enjoy a balance between style and functionality.

Remember, it's not about striving for perfection but rather embracing practicality and convenience in your home storage choices.

So go ahead and try some of these amazing furniture storage pieces. I guarantee that you’ll quicky transform your rooms into the picture of comfort and tranquility.

Who knows, you might even inspire someone else too if you post your “after” pictures on the socials!

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I write about small space design and decorating, sustainable furniture options, positive self care and a variety of do-it-yourself home décor.

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“Michael Helwig was top-notch, very professional and responsive to my needs. He allowed me time to explore ideas and try out a variety of combinations until we found the perfect fit. Michael provided detailed information and offered beautiful ideas to make my dream living room become a reality. The furniture he sourced has totally transformed my living room space. Everyone that has seen my new living room has one word, WOW! A special thank you to Michael for a wonderful experience.”

— Karen B.

“Michael was very knowledgeable and guided us, with great patience and good humor, through the process of designing our dining room and helping us find the perfect sleeper sofa. He offered really helpful advice when we asked questions - which was often - but at no time did we ever feel pushed. He helped me when I felt like I couldn’t make one more decision. When my new furniture finally arrived I realized everything down to the pillows was perfect. I couldn’t be happier!”

— Sarah H.

Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.