Built in Living Room Storage Solutions

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Question: My wife wants to redecorate our kitchen and wants a rolling island rather than a bar. I think a stationary island would add more value to the house. Who is right?

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On either side of my living room fireplace is a recessed nook, floor to ceiling. There is a room on the other side of the fireplace and nooks. While the nooks are the same depth, they are not the same width. One is between a side wall and the fireplace, while the other is open on one side. The TV armoire is located on the side wall, perpendicular to the fireplace. Right now, I have furniture arranged in an L-shape, with some of it facing the fireplace (and empty nooks) and the rest of it facing the TV armoire (which by the way does not fit into either nook). What can I put in these nooks? I am desperate for ideas. Thanks!

It can be a challenge to work with nooks, bookcases, shelves, and cabinets. I think your current furniture arrangement is probably the best, because you have a view of the TV and the fireplace. The included room photo has a similar layout to the one described. Here are a few ideas for getting the most our of the unused fireplace nooks:

• Add shelving – If you don’t already have shelves inside the nooks, this simple addition will greatly increase their usefulness. If the nooks vary in width, then custom made shelving will be the main option. Try finding a local cabinet maker or woodworker, or recruit a handy family member or friend to trim down stock retail shelves. Also, most hardware stores will trim boards and shelves to size if you bring in your measurements. Make the wall behind the shelves more interesting with paint or wallpaper.

• Add accessories – Once shelving is in place inside the nooks, the accessorizing can begin. Start by assessing your collections. Do you have a wonderful collection of plates hidden away? How many attractive, hardcover books do you have around the house? Group objects in odd numbers and stack books both vertically and horizontally for an eclectic look. Mix in family photos, ceramics, glass art, or statuettes.

• Add fabric – If the room needs a little softness, install draperies from floor to ceiling, covering up the nooks. The space behind the drapes can be used for storage. If the drapes will be pulled back with a tassel or holdback, try displaying a small silk tree or sculpture inside the nook with uplights behind it.

• Add built-ins – If closed storage is needed, have custom cabinetry made to fit into the nooks. These functional storage cabinets can be stained to match existing wood floors or furniture pieces, or they can also be painted to match the wall color in the room for a cohesive look. Another option is to have closed storage on the bottom half and open storage on the top half for displaying accessories.

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