I'm always looking for ways to increase the storage in my home, which makes me a big believer in storage furniture—the kind of items that serve one purpose but open up to reveal interior space perfect for housing other things out of sight. And there one room you likely spend a lot of time in that you're under-utilizing for storage: your living room.
In the living room, your best bet here is a storage ottoman, and while those can get pricy depending on how fancy you want them to look, a dependable, standard one is usually affordable. For instance, this one is sturdy and big, with a price tag of $44.99. Some other options:
This round, tufted storage ottoman is $82.49 and looks sharp as a foot rest
I also like these wicker storage ottomans, $100, because they add more of a rustic feeling
A wide, hinged storage ottoman that looks like a coffee table is on sale at Target right now, but only in this brown color for $172.79 (and other colors can be over $400, so if you like the brown, don't wait)
I am also a strong proponent of using storage mirrors in the bedroom. Typically, I advocate for full-length ones that open up to storage shelving and pockets, but they come in smaller, wall-sized versions ($54.99), too, and those are a perfect upgrade for the living room. You're probably already decorating with a mirror in the space, so swap it for one that can serve you better by storing remotes, jewelry, or whatever else. Feeling fancy? A diamond-shaped one, better for that "living room decor" vibe, is $62.99.
In a similar vein, you can get a plain mirror that comes with containers and hooks attached ($133.92). This is a more standard storage solution that won't hold as much, but puts things like keys and wallets in a more easily accessible position.
Sometimes, you can't really hide away everything in the name of storage—that's where decorative baskets come in. They're ideal for things like extra blankets or little kids' toys, and you can get some really nice decorative ones for around $25. Try these, too:
I like this set of three woven baskets for $39.99 because having matching ones around creates more of a put-together look, which is helpful when you're storing your stuff out in the open
At 20"x13", this larger one ($23.98) is great for bigger blankets and pillows
A toy box like this one ($129.99) also counts as a storage basket because it's not quite functional furniture, but it hides its contents better than an open container, which is sometimes a necessity
Finally, options for inexpensive side tables are surprisingly sparse, but I recommend this one for $84.99 because of its designated section for fabrics. It could be used for towels in a (very large) bathroom, but it's also ideal for accessible blanket storage in a living room. Other considerations:
There's a limited-time deal running on this multi-container side table ($47.79), which features a USB port in addition to its various storage areas
With a flat top, cube shelving, and built-in book and magazine racks, $139.99 is a pretty reasonable price for this side table—plus it rotates so you don't even have to get off the couch to grab something off of it
I'm also really into this set of two mini tables ($75) because they're wire baskets with flat lids that are tall enough to serve as tables, so they'd be a fun way to store pillows, kids' toys, or family games
