Savvy storage: your lounge
Useful tips for tidying the family’s clutter in your living room.
Different rooms demand different storage solutions. First rule – don’t let the kids bedroom gumph invade your lounge!
Three tips for a lovelier lounge
• Get a box chest. Few of us have time or energy to build a box seat into a space like a bay window, but using free-standing box chests for storing things you don’t need every day can save space and provide extra seating (with colourful cushions or a throw on top). You can find box chests to suit all needs – from antique or imported styles, to modern plain wood boxes that can be painted to complement your décor.
• Choose a cupboard. Messy shelves will not give a sense of spaciousness in your living room. If your shelves are groaning with clutter, go for something that combines a cupboard at the bottom and shelves above. It’s worth getting a unit that’s made-to-measure to really maximise the space.
• Baskets for toys. Keep a funky-looking canvas tub in the corner of your lounge for any toys that need scooping up at the end of the day. This is an easy way to control the mess when you’re in a hurry, and the task can be delegated to the kids.
Savvy tip
To make shelves and cupboards blend in neatly with smaller living spaces, paint them either the same colour as the walls, or a slightly lighter shade of the same colour.
Pass it on – keep the floor clear
Even if you have to stuff shelves with books, toys and miscellaneous bits, once the kids have gone to bed, scoop up anything left on the carpet. This takes just a minute and instantly gives a cleaner feel to the room for you to enjoy parent chill-out time.