7 ways to declutter your living room or common area
Sharing a dorm, apartment, or home with roommates or your family can be a lot of fun. Between the movie marathons, game nights, get-togethers, and study sessions there are so many memories that you will cherish for years to come. However, the more people you have in one space, the messier it will get. Think shoes, scarves, jackets, books, and bags, oh my! Which is why it’s especially important to up the storage game in your common area — a chore chart probably wouldn’t hurt either.
You’re probably wondering how you can create a fun room to hang out in while simultaneously squeezing in a little extra storage? Easy. IKEA Kreativ can help you design and visualize your space down to the last detail. You can see how something looks in your space without having to move one piece of existing furniture, so you don’t have to wonder if something will fit or look good before you buy it. Now it’s time for the fun part, and to get you started on the right foot in IKEA Kreativ, here are a few storage solutions worth considering.
1. Add a bookcase (or three).
When it comes to storage, bookcases are truly a wonder. The ways to fill them and organize your belongings are seemingly endless, especially when you throw in accessories such as boxes, bins, magazine file holders, mini drawers, or glass jars, just to name a few. Follow the lead of this setup and stack three BILLY bookcases side-by-side along the wall and designate one shelving unit for each roommate or family member. That way everyone can style and arrange their bookcase to suit their individual needs. Try a BILLY bookcase now in IKEA Kreativ.
2. Hide the mess behind closed cabinet doors.
Cabinets with doors are amazing storage solutions for living areas because they won’t look out of place, and more importantly, they can hide a bit of the chaos. Take a look at your space, and with the help of IKEA Kreativ determine what size cabinet you can accommodate. Once you’ve found the perfect piece, divide the unit between yourself and your family or roommates. Here, a pair of BESTÅ cabinets customized with NANNARP legs and honeycomb cabinet fronts raise the bar on storage. And since there are doors, you don’t have to worry about keeping the shelves neatly styled at all times. See how the BESTÅ cabinets look in IKEA Kreativ.
3. Consider using floating shelves, or an open shelving unit, to keep things organized.
If you don’t have enough floor or wall space for a bulky cabinet or bookcase, consider open shelving as an alternative storage option. Whether floating on the wall or suspended in the middle of the room — like the ELVARI system used in these open floor plans — shelving can be a great way to store important items without using valuable space. The minimal solution can also provide visual separation in a living area that has to work for a variety of different people and purposes. And bonus: You can restyle your shelving anytime you’re in the mood for a mini makeover. Click here to try the ELVARLI system in IKEA Kreativ.
4. Avoid tripping on piles of sneakers by incorporating a shoe organizer.
When you have multiple people living under one roof, shoes have a nasty habit of ending up, well, everywhere — in the entryway, on the stairs, and yes, even in the living area. However, all is not lost. Use a shoe cabinet to help keep your common area a trip-free zone. For example, in this corridor, the HEMNES storage unit looks like a regular chest of drawers, but it’s actually an organizer designed to quickly and easily corral all of the footwear in the home. Now you only need to figure out how to get everyone to put their shoes in the cabinet instead of on the floor. Add this HEMNES shoe cabinet to a space in IKEA Kreativ.
5. Consider a storage cabinet with lockable doors.
Perhaps you and your roommates are looking for a storage option that offers a bit more security. In that case, the IKEA PS cabinet might be the perfect solution. The lockable doors will keep wandering eyes and idle hands at bay while the interior shelves provide ample space to stash whatever your heart desires. The retro design, reminiscent of a high school locker, will add a bit of nostalgia to your common area. Not to mention, it is available in four fun-filled colors including this limited edition earthy sage green hue. Try an IKEA PS cabinet in IKEA Kreativ.
6. Consider a multipurpose coffee table design.
Many people don’t have room for an extra cabinet or bookcase and that’s okay. You can still squeeze a little extra storage into your living area with the help of multipurpose pieces of furniture. For example, if you were already planning on investing in a new coffee table consider a design like the KVISTBRO storage table that will allow you to stash a few odds and ends below the table top without taking up any additional floor space. Try the KVISTBRO now in IKEA Kreativ.
7. Artfully display a couple of baskets around the room.
Living rooms or common areas are typically filled with larger pieces of furniture such as sofas and media cabinets, which means that it might be difficult to make room for yet another bulky item. So how do you provide additional storage in a space that is already maxed out? Enter storage baskets. These handy catchalls are small enough to tuck alongside the sofa or next to a bookcase and lightweight so they can be relocated at a moment’s notice. Take the SNIDAD basket spotted in this setup, it makes an ideal home for small items such as throw blankets, accent pillows, or magazines. Plus, the woven rattan design will inject your space with a hint of style, warmth, and organic texture. Click here to try the SNIDAD basket in IKEA Kreativ.