The Subtle Living Room Spot You Never Thought To Use As Storage

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Storage solutions for living rooms tend to be bookcases or hutches with doors that hide the mess, or trunks you can stuff with a bunch of things that normally wind up strewn around the floor by two-legged and four-legged members of the household. Photos and trip mementos span the mantelpiece, and the sofas feature seats that lift to reveal even more storage. There's another spot in your living room that you probably barely notice, and if you do look at it, you're likely only wondering how much dust has collected there, not whether it can be used for storage. The narrow ledge created by the molding at the top of your windows can be easily adapted to hold everyday items or the vintage collectibles you've scored at thrift stores.

The space above a window is a good spot for breakables you want to keep out of reach of your kids and pets. It's also prime space for your complete run of Marvel Cinematic Universe DVDs (or whatever you collect). A tidy, well-built shelf can make a design statement, especially if it's repeated above the other windows in the room. In an informal living room, use the space for whatever fits and needs to be put away. A more formal room benefits from a little bit of curation, or a theme that carries through all of the items, even if they don't match, like your collection of folk art toys. The items you're storing shouldn't be heavier than items you'd keep on any shelf, and if you plan on keeping breakable items here, they should be secured.

Securing the shelf so that it doesn't fall down is critical. Make sure the supports for the shelf are screwed into studs. If your shelf and the storage items are lightweight, you can use wall anchors instead. If you're unsure where the studs are, you can buy an inexpensive stud finder at the hardware store. Don't limit yourself to a single shelf. Consider installing multiple shelves if you have a taller-than-average ceiling, or hanging a shelf from the ceiling so it lands just above the window. Keep in mind that the shelf should be proportional to the window's length. Otherwise, it could look awkward. If you'd rather not build something yourself, you can buy ready-to-install corbels that are wide enough to hold a shelf, with space for a curtain rod.

Visit thrift stores and antique shops for the perfect shelf that matches or enhances your living room's decor. You could also consider repurposing something to make the shelf, like wooden boxes or a length of driftwood. You also don't have to add a shelf to the top of the window for storage; you can simply use the narrow ledge created by the molding if it's wide enough. You'll be limited on what you can put there, though — and for safety purposes, everything would need to be secured. Prints or photos with stiff backing can lean against the wall on your shelf above the window; you can store decorative plates there, and it's also a great space to display holiday cards.