Rented Homes: Freestanding Storage Solutions for Your Living Room
Make your living room storage work for you without messing up walls in a rented home
Most of us could do with additional storage in our living rooms. The challenge when you’re renting, though, can be greater, as building in your own storage to fit the space is often out of the question. But fear not – there are plenty of freestanding solutions that can work in any setup, as these inspiring designs demonstrate.
Create a storage bank
Basic shelving units can be cheated to looking grander than the sum of their parts simply by butting several up together. As well as maximising storage opportunities, they can create a smart, built-in look, especially if you source designs that fit as snugly in your space as possible. To further the fitted illusion, consider running a single length of moulding along the top of the units, securing it with wood glue and panel pins.
See more great ways to store books
Basic shelving units can be cheated to looking grander than the sum of their parts simply by butting several up together. As well as maximising storage opportunities, they can create a smart, built-in look, especially if you source designs that fit as snugly in your space as possible. To further the fitted illusion, consider running a single length of moulding along the top of the units, securing it with wood glue and panel pins.
See more great ways to store books
Go for dual purpose
A side table with drawers can be a useful weapon for keeping clutter at bay. Look beyond standard living room furniture, however, and see if you already have something that might work in your space. An old filing cabinet like this with a lovely worn patina can bring an industrial-chic edge to your room, as well as offering a spot in which to hide away detritus.
A side table with drawers can be a useful weapon for keeping clutter at bay. Look beyond standard living room furniture, however, and see if you already have something that might work in your space. An old filing cabinet like this with a lovely worn patina can bring an industrial-chic edge to your room, as well as offering a spot in which to hide away detritus.
Use every nook
Utilise the space under your sofa for storing occasional pieces, or as a place to keep electrical items and chargers close to hand. Organise them in baskets to keep everything contained, then simply pull them out when you need to access them.
Utilise the space under your sofa for storing occasional pieces, or as a place to keep electrical items and chargers close to hand. Organise them in baskets to keep everything contained, then simply pull them out when you need to access them.
Upcycle a pallet
Look around your streets for any leftover old pallets (shops that stock bulky items often have them going spare) and turn it into your very own freebie coffee table. You’ll need to give it a good sand before putting it to use, then finish with varnish or a lick of paint. Placing castors underneath will add a little height and allow it to be moved around as needed. It can also create cubbyholes for storing floor cushions for when guests visit, as here.
Discover more ideas for using pallets
Look around your streets for any leftover old pallets (shops that stock bulky items often have them going spare) and turn it into your very own freebie coffee table. You’ll need to give it a good sand before putting it to use, then finish with varnish or a lick of paint. Placing castors underneath will add a little height and allow it to be moved around as needed. It can also create cubbyholes for storing floor cushions for when guests visit, as here.
Discover more ideas for using pallets
Give a coffee table a new role
A vintage suitcase makes a characterful and useful side or coffee table within a living room – keep an eye out for one in charity shops. As well as looking charmingly eclectic, its interior can be put to work storing anything from magazines to spare blankets or just provide a spot in which to tuck away clutter.
A vintage suitcase makes a characterful and useful side or coffee table within a living room – keep an eye out for one in charity shops. As well as looking charmingly eclectic, its interior can be put to work storing anything from magazines to spare blankets or just provide a spot in which to tuck away clutter.
Sit and stow
Curling up on a window seat and watching the world go by is a lovely way to pass the time. And a window unit could easily double as storage, as this image suggests. To achieve the same effect, simply line up wooden fruit crates along the floor and screw them together at their sides. Or you could try turning a slim shelving unit or CD tower onto its side. The openings provide an ideal space in which to store books, CDs and magazines, while on top you could soften the space with a foam seat pad or cosy cushions, or simply use it as a display space, as here.
Curling up on a window seat and watching the world go by is a lovely way to pass the time. And a window unit could easily double as storage, as this image suggests. To achieve the same effect, simply line up wooden fruit crates along the floor and screw them together at their sides. Or you could try turning a slim shelving unit or CD tower onto its side. The openings provide an ideal space in which to store books, CDs and magazines, while on top you could soften the space with a foam seat pad or cosy cushions, or simply use it as a display space, as here.
Source a special piece
Seek out a vintage cabinet or bureau to fit neatly into an alcove, in lieu of being able to add your own built-in storage. It works just as well and can give a more interesting aesthetic. Scour eBay and you might bag yourself a bargain, too. It’s worth keeping a note of your measurements on your phone, so you have them to hand if you stumble upon an item you suspect could be the perfect piece for a particular spot.
Seek out a vintage cabinet or bureau to fit neatly into an alcove, in lieu of being able to add your own built-in storage. It works just as well and can give a more interesting aesthetic. Scour eBay and you might bag yourself a bargain, too. It’s worth keeping a note of your measurements on your phone, so you have them to hand if you stumble upon an item you suspect could be the perfect piece for a particular spot.
Build it up
Old scaffolding boards can often be sourced cheaply and make excellent, characterful shelves, especially when paired with supporting scaffolding poles. While this version does require some fixings in the wall, it’s still a relatively straightforward idea, and scaffolding boards would be fairly easy to cut to length with a handsaw. If wall fixings aren’t an option for you, look out for freestanding, industrial-style shelving units with a similar aesthetic.
Old scaffolding boards can often be sourced cheaply and make excellent, characterful shelves, especially when paired with supporting scaffolding poles. While this version does require some fixings in the wall, it’s still a relatively straightforward idea, and scaffolding boards would be fairly easy to cut to length with a handsaw. If wall fixings aren’t an option for you, look out for freestanding, industrial-style shelving units with a similar aesthetic.
Go retro
Midcentury furniture pieces can often be found at great prices, especially if you go for something that needs a little TLC. Sideboards are on trend and can be great storage stalwarts, with space to store away tons of clutter within them, as well as providing surface space on top for decorative items or even a TV.
Browse more midcentury photos for retro storage ideas.
What’s been your best freestanding storage idea? Tell us in the Comments below.
Midcentury furniture pieces can often be found at great prices, especially if you go for something that needs a little TLC. Sideboards are on trend and can be great storage stalwarts, with space to store away tons of clutter within them, as well as providing surface space on top for decorative items or even a TV.
Browse more midcentury photos for retro storage ideas.
What’s been your best freestanding storage idea? Tell us in the Comments below.
Freestanding storage crates can be a renter’s best friend – simply add to them as your collection and storage needs grow, stacking them up or along. They make brilliant bookshelves, as well as creating the perfect spot in which to style a vignette of favourite decorative pieces. For an added splash of colour, try painting the insides, or line them with coloured card.
Find tons of storage boxes and crates to replicate this idea.