INTERIOR DESIGN

FIVE FOUNDATIONS OF STORE & ORDER

Incorporate storage solutions into your living room to ensure a cohesive and restful place, perfect for relaxing

FEATURE HOLLY REANEY

STYLING ALICE ROBERTON

1 BEAUTIFULLY HIDDEN

Nearly every living room features aTV, but they’re not the most aesthetically pleasing addition. ‘Whenever we need to include a TV in aroom we try to find away to make it inconspicuous, or hidden altogether,’ explains interior designer Sarah Vanrenen. ‘Hiding the TV behind bifold doors is something I’ve been doing since I started decorating, many years ago. Faux book spines on false shelf ends are an easy way to disguise the doors. Sometimes we even put the TV behind doors that are flush with the wall and are therefore concealed to a large extent. We then disguise the doors with wallpaper or artwork for aseamless look.’

2 STANDING FIRM

Freestanding furniture is ideal if you want to achieve amore relaxed look than the formality of fitted pieces. ‘As well as looking beautiful, freestanding storage is functional and can be used to organise and declutter your room, hiding away anything you don’t need on show such as files, paperwork and children’s toys.

Large timeless, statement pieces such as bookcases add so much character to aroom. This delightful small armoire is very versatile. It can be used to hide the TV or create adrinks cupboard. The optional pull-out desk means it can act as aworkstation as well,’ says Susie Watson, founder of Susie Watson Designs.

3 BUILDING UP

Bespoke shelving is an obvious choice for adding storage in aliving room, and when designed well, it can be afeature in its own right. ‘Full-height fitted shelving gives aroom drama and can make aspace feel taller as the objects displayed on the higher shelves will draw your eye upwards. Keep the joinery the same colour as the walls if you want the room to feel bigger, or use acontrasting shade to make astatement,’ says Emma Sims-Hilditch, creative founder at Sims Hilditch. ‘I tend to suggest adjustable shelving to account for different height books or objects. They don’t have to line up, and the joinery will look more organic if they don