Benches with Storage to Maximize Living Room Space

A cluttered living room can make your home feel smaller and more cramped. Between toys, books, blankets, and more, items can quickly pile up and take over.

Benches with storage offer a stylish solution to tuck away clutter while providing extra seating. Read on to discover why storage benches are a must-have for living rooms of all sizes.

Benefits of Living Room Storage Benches

Benches with storage compartments add style and function to your living space. Here are some key benefits they offer:

• Create more seating for guests
• Store items conveniently out of sight
• Save floor space by storing items vertically
• Prevent a cluttered look by hiding clutter
• Suit a variety of decor styles from modern to farmhouse

Extra Seating Options

It's frustrating when company visits and there's nowhere for them to sit. Storage benches provide comfortable extra seating when chairs fill up fast.

Look for sturdy benches made with quality craftsmanship that can hold heavier weights. Many options have a weight capacity of 500+ lbs to accommodate multiple people.

Cushions covered in easy-care fabrics like polyester or microfiber make benches more inviting to sit on. Some even have back support for ultimate comfort.

Convenient Storage Solutions

From stray shoes and lounge blankets to remote controls or craft supplies, items pile up fast in living rooms. Storage benches offer a handy place to stash clutter out of sight.

Lift-up lids reveal spacious storage for larger items. Drawers keep smaller objects organized. Look for felt lining inside drawers to prevent delicate items from getting scratched.

Customize storage to suit your needs with adjustable dividers or removable trays. Modular cube designs allow you to assemble storage sections in different configurations.

Space Saving Design

By storing items vertically, storage benches maximize your square footage instead of taking up precious floor space. Their vertical storage design leaves you with open areas to arrange seating.

Narrow bench styles can tuck beside sofas or in other tight spots that regular furniture can't fit. Their compact shape makes them ideal for small living rooms.

For even more room savings, look for storage ottomans that pull double duty as coffee tables when closed. Simply lift the hinged lid to reveal hidden storage space.

Where to Place A Storage Bench

Strategically placing your storage bench allows for both function and style:

• Entryway : Stash shoes, bags, pet leashes, or outdoor gear.
• Under a window : Creates a window seat for relaxing while storing blankets.
• TV console : Hide remotes, chargers, game controllers, and DVDs.
• Room divider : Doubles as a stylish accent piece that adds privacy.

Welcoming Entryway Benches

An entryway bench greets guests while keeping foyer clutter unseen. Look for a lighter bench on casters for easy mobility to vacuum underneath.

Storage benches here do double duty when topped with decor trays to hold keys, bags, or pet supplies. Lid stays keep the top propped open for quick grab-and-go access.

For small entry spaces, wall-mounted benches flip down when needed. Rotate back up against the wall afterwards for a clutter-free look.

Relaxing Window Seats

Transform an empty window space into a cozy reading nook. Storage window seats offer comfortable padding for sitting by sunlight

Lift the hinged lid to reveal books, blankets, or additional pillow storage inside. Look for plywood construction or moisture-proofing to prevent interior damage.

Built-in window seats save space in studio layouts without additional furniture. Custom bench sizes allow for an exact fit below your window dimensions.

Types of Living Room Storage Benches

Discover the variety of living room bench styles to choose from:

Entryway Storage Benches

Top contenders for foyers or hallways, entryway benches have cushioned seats and plenty of storage. Their lighter weight allows easy moving for quick cleanups.

Look for flip-up lids that stay propped open for convenient access. Removable fabric covers let you coordinate with your decor or switch out as seasons change.

Blanket Box Benches

Resembling treasure chests, these roomy benches safely store bulky items like spare bedding inside their lift-up lids. Look for cedar-lined models to protect against moths or mildew.

Besides blankets, utilize them to organize craft supplies, seasonal items like holiday decor, or even pool/beach towels. Their nostalgic charm suits casual settings.

Storage Ottomans

As versatile as they are stylish, storage ottomans slip under tables when closed or provide extra seating when open. Just lift the padded hinged lid to reveal ample storage inside.

Square cube shapes allow pushing multiple ottomans together to form benches. Look for durable leather or linen upholstery easy to wipe clean from dirt or spills.

Toy Box Benches

Sturdy toy box benches handle heavy use from rambunctious kids. Look for kid-friendly features like safety hinges to prevent pinched fingers plus breathable cutouts so kids won't get trapped inside.

Waterproof storage bins inside corral smaller toys or art supplies. Removable canvas bags conveniently tote playthings to other rooms or the yard.

Window Seats with Storage

Maximize unused space below windows with built-in bench seating. Lift-top designs conceal storage bins holding TV remotes, chargers, or books.

Look for moisture resistant finishes that withstand leaks from condensation or plants. Custom sizes allow you to fill the entire area below your windows.

Tips for Styling Your Storage Bench

Use these savvy styling tricks to help your storage bench blend seamlessly into your living room:

• Flank bench with decorative floor lamps or potted plants for balance.
• Layer rugs underneath in similar colors to tie look together.
• Top bench with trays to hold remote controls, coasters, or candles.
• Set a tabletop behind the bench to display photos or art.
• Toss throw blankets and pillows inside bench to grab when relaxing.

Incorporate Natural Elements

Create cohesion by repeating living room colors on bench cushions or interchangeable slipcovers. Earthy hues like beige, brown and light green help benches blend in.

Natural woven textures on seat fronts complement wood frame benches. For boho flair, woven banana leaf, seagrass or rattan mixes well with causal rooms.

Play with Lighting

Properly illuminate bench seating for functionality and ambience. Affordable puck lights attach underneath benches to guide entry/exits in the dark.

For accent lighting, install sconces on side walls to cast soft glows over the bench. Dimmer switches allow adjusting brightness to suit activities like reading.

Add visual interest by playing with different textures around the bench. Try topping with a fluffy sheepskin rug for soft contrast against the hard bench frame.

Or place a crocheted blanket inside for guests to wrap up in. The more textural elements to touch, the more inviting and cozy your bench will feel.