Stylish Storage Solutions: Pretty Ways to Keep Clutter in Check

Bring Pantry Storage to the Counter

Not everything you store in your kitchen needs to be tucked away behind a cabinet door. For essentials you reach for every day, attractive countertop storage keeps them handy while adding style to your kitchen. In our kitchen, I keep a pair of cutting boards, my electric teapot, and a glass canister of flour grouped together on our countertop:

Sources: Wood cutting board with handle (similar) | Marble & wood serving board | Electric kettle | Glass jar | Wood scoop

Another idea is using a decorative crock, ginger jar, or other pretty vessel to hold your most frequently used utensils next to your range. It frees up drawer space while keeping them within easy reach. In our last house, I repurposed {this marble wine cooler} as a utensil holder sitting in {this woven basket} with our everyday bowls:

Other stylish storage solutions in the kitchen include a beautiful bottle for olive oil, a decorative bread box like {these}, and countertop fruit bowls or baskets.

Think Inside the Box

Decorative boxes are one of my favorite ways to hide the small stuff that can quickly make a room feel cluttered. They’re pretty enough to leave out in plain sight but give you a spot to stash all those little things you want close at hand but don’t necessarily want to see.

One idea is to use a decorative box on your coffee table to keep remotes tucked away but still within easy reach. A few pretty boxes that work well for this are {these cane boxes}:

or one of {these pinstripe boxes}:

Other decorative boxes I have and love include {this pair of scalloped rattan boxes} that I use to stash all of our packaging supplies (also check out {this similar pair} at a better price):

Other Sources: Wallpaper | Wood shelves (similar) | Elephant bookend (similar)

I also use {this set of faux shagreen boxes} to keep chargers and cords tucked out of sight:

And I have {this set of fabric-covered boxes} on the shelf of our guest room nightstand filled with handy extras for guests.

Take Storage Up the Wall

When floor space is limited, look to your walls for extra storage! Floating shelves, peg rails, decorative hooks, plate racks, and wall-mounted cabinets can all give everyday essentials a place to live without taking up a single inch of floor space. And unlike basic organizers, they add architectural interest and style to your space.

The floating shelves in the bathroom of our last home are a perfect example. They gave us a spot to store extra towels, toilet paper, washcloths, and other bathroom essentials, with room for a few decorative accents too:

Sources: Floating shelves (similar)  |  Colorful moth art print  |  Glass canister (1 gallon size)  |  Bath bombs  |  Belly basket (similar)  |  Favorite bath towels | Other accessories no longer available

Ditch the Original Packaging

Sometimes it’s not what you’re storing that’s the problem – it’s the packaging it comes in. Transferring everyday essentials into attractive containers is an easy way to eliminate the visual clutter of mismatched bottles and labels. In our bathroom, I use {these refillable pumps} for shampoo and conditioner, which look so much cleaner than the original bottles:

I use another pair for dish and hand soap on {this wood pedestal} next to our kitchen sink:

Also check out {these pumps} for a similar look for less.

You can use the same trick throughout your home with glass jars for laundry supplies,

canisters for bath salts or cotton balls in your bathroom, or pretty ceramic containers for everyday items such as pet treats or office supplies.

Tame It With a Tray

Sometimes keeping clutter under control is as simple as giving a group of everyday items a defined spot. A decorative tray instantly makes a collection of things feel more organized and intentional while adding a little style at the same time. And since trays come in just about every size, shape, and material, it’s easy to find one that complements your decor.

I use this trick all over our home, including {this marble tray} next to our range that corrals two ceramic oil dispensers similar to {these}, {these stacking marble pinch pots} for spices, and {this woven basket} in size medium for garlic:

In the bathroom, a tray on the vanity does the same thing for toiletries, Q-tips, and other essentials, keeping everything contained instead of scattered across the countertop:

Sources: Double vanity | Mirrors | Vanity lights

And I always keep a tray on our coffee table to corral books, decorative pieces, and the box holding our remotes:

See my post on coffee table decor ideas for more ideas on using trays and other decorative accents to style your coffee table.

Let a Pretty Skirt Do the Hiding

Sometimes the simplest storage solution is to hide it all behind a pretty piece of fabric! Adding a skirt to a console table like {this one} or side table like {this one} can conceal everything from a printer and office supplies to toys and extra linens while adding softness, color, or pattern to a room:

You can use the same trick with a skirted bathroom sink or bedside table to create hidden storage where there otherwise wouldn’t be any.

And don’t forget about the space under your bed! Use rolling under-bed storage containers like {these} for out-of-season clothes, extra bedding, shoes, or anything else you want tucked away:

Bring On the Baskets

Baskets are one of my favorite storage solutions because they make it easy to hide clutter while adding warmth and texture to a room. And there’s a basket for just about everything! Use a large lidded basket for extra blankets and pillows, smaller baskets like {these} in your linen closet for pillowcases and hand towels,

wall-hanging baskets like {this one} to hold leashes, poop bags, and other dog supplies by your back door, or a stylish basket like {this one} to corral shoes by the door:

Choose Furniture That Does Double Duty

Why take up valuable space with furniture that serves just one purpose when you can sneak in some extra storage too? Ottomans, benches, coffee tables, trunks, and even side tables can all give you a spot to stash things out of sight without adding another piece of furniture to the room.

For example, I love tucking a pair of ottomans under an entryway console. They fill that awkward open space beautifully and provide extra seating when you need it. Choose ones with hidden storage like {these ottomans}, and you also have the perfect spot for shoes, hats, gloves, or other grab-and-go essentials:

In a family room, look for a coffee table with a lift-off top like {this one} for storing blankets, games, and remotes, or swap a basic side table for one with hidden storage, such as {this cane side table}:

Put It on Display

Sometimes the best storage solution is not to store something away at all! If you have items that are both useful and beautiful, look for ways to put them on display and let them become part of your decor. Not only does this free up valuable cabinet and closet space, but it can also add personality and interest to a room.

The plate wall in the dining room of our previous home is a great example. Instead of taking up cabinet space, my collection of plates and platters became wall decor:

I hung them with spring-loaded plate hangers so I could easily take them down and put them to use.

Other ideas include displaying hats on wall hooks, hanging a collection of favorite handbags on decorative pegs, or displaying jewelry on a decorative stand instead of tucking it away in a drawer.

Keep Cords Under Cover

Cords and power strips are one of those necessary evils that can make even the most beautifully styled space look cluttered. Cord management boxes such as {this woven box} or {this set of two boxes} are an easy way to keep them contained and out of sight while still keeping everything plugged in and accessible:

Use them anywhere cords are hard to disguise, such as under a desk, beside a nightstand, or near a media console. And while you’re hiding the ugly tech, consider a decorative Wi-Fi router box like {this one} that disguises your router as part of your decor.

Look Beyond Traditional Storage

Some of the most stylish storage solutions come from looking at everyday pieces in a new way. Repurposing a vintage or unexpected piece is a great way to add both function and character to a room. One of my favorite examples is using a ladder to store and display throw blankets. It keeps them within easy reach while also filling an empty wall with color and texture:

You can also look beyond a piece of furniture’s traditional use when searching for extra storage. For example, an armoire doesn’t have to live in a bedroom. Use one in your dining room for dishes and linens, in your family room for games and electronics, or even in your bathroom for towels and toiletries.

Dress Up the Bathroom Basics

Even the most basic bathroom necessities can add to the look of your space with a few simple swaps. Instead of leaving extra rolls of toilet paper in their packaging, stash them in a decorative holder such as {this one} for up to six rolls or {this smaller one} that holds three:

They keep extra TP rolls within easy reach while blending in with the rest of your decor.

Tissue box covers are another easy upgrade. Instead of having a cardboard tissue box sitting out on your vanity or toilet tank, slip it inside a pretty cover like {this resin cover with a trellis design}, {this woven cover}, or {this fabric monogrammed cover}:

Give Dirty Laundry a Better Look

A laundry hamper is one of those necessities that often ends up sitting out in plain sight, so why not choose one that adds to your space instead of detracting from it? Skip the basic plastic hamper and look for one with a little more style. I prefer lidded hampers since they keep everything (including an overflowing pile of dirty laundry) neatly out of sight.

My go-to is {this woven hamper}. We have the large size (which is HUGE) in our bathroom:

and the medium size in the girls’ bathroom:

It adds warmth and texture and looks more like a decorative accent than something that’s hiding a week’s worth of laundry. And unlike some cheaper woven baskets, I’ve never had an issue with clothes getting snagged on the weave (but they do now offer {these liners} if you prefer to use one). See my post on stylish laundry hampers with lids for more beautiful options.

Hide It Behind a Pretty Door

One of my favorite stylish storage solutions is also one of the simplest… hide the not-so-pretty stuff behind closed doors. Closed storage lets you keep the things you use every day close at hand without adding visual clutter to your space. Think appliance garages that hide countertop appliances, media cabinets for electronics, and shoe cabinets like {this one} that keep a pile of shoes from taking over your entryway.

Medicine cabinets are another great example. Instead of a basic, builder-grade version, choose one that looks just like a beautiful bathroom mirror but opens to reveal hidden storage. I chose {these medicine cabinets} for my daughters’ bathroom, giving them an easy spot to stash skincare, toiletries, and other everyday essentials while keeping their vanity countertop clutter-free:

Sources: Wallpaper | Double vanity | 2-Light cone sconces | Medicine cabinet mirrors | Faucets | White hexagon floor tile

Build Storage Into the Architecture

Some of the best storage solutions are the ones that feel like they’ve always been part of the room. When you’re remodeling or building, look for opportunities to work extra storage right into the architecture of your home.

One example from our new build is this window seat with drawers that we added to our closet to maximize every inch of storage space (cabinet designs by Coastal Cabinets):

And in our large kitchen island, we added touch-latch cabinets along the entire back, creating a ton of extra storage for lesser-used items:

Whenever you can make storage feel like an intentional part of the design rather than something added after the fact, you get the best of both worlds – a beautiful space with a place for everything.

I hope these stylish storage solutions have given you a few new ideas for keeping clutter in check without sacrificing style! Sometimes it’s as simple as swapping a basic storage piece for something you love looking at or finding a clever new use for something you already own.

Do you have a favorite stylish way to sneak in extra storage? I’d love to hear about it in the comments!

XO,