The Overlooked Storage For Blankets That's Already In Your Living Room

Living rooms can sometimes end up feeling a little cramped if they are packed with too many different soft furnishings such as blankets, pillows, and rugs. So, if you have collected lots of different blankets over the years, you may now find yourself at a loss for where to put them all. Well, don't start throwing them away just yet. There is actually one overlooked spot that can be easily repurposed for a clever way to keep blankets organized: the fireplace.

If your home has a fireplace that is no longer functional because it is old or has been replaced with more modern heating systems, then it may currently be sitting unused at the side of the room. Disused fireplaces are a great place to store blankets for a variety of reasons. First, fireplaces tend to be set back into the wall, meaning you can fill them with spare blankets without eating into your existing floor space. In addition, because the fireplace is still an open part of the room, storing blankets in there means that they are still easily accessible for whenever you need them on a chilly day or cozy movie night. 

This is also particularly helpful if you have collected blankets that you love and that match your preferred design style. Rather than hiding them all away inside a cupboard or trunk, their fun colors and patterns will still be visible within the fireplace without taking over all the empty space in your living room. But what if you have some blankets that are useful but not very nice to look at? Let's explore some ways to store blankets in plain sight without them looking cluttered or unsightly.

Before putting your blankets into the fireplace, it is important to first make sure that it is completely switched off so that the fabric inside does not become a fire hazard. Then, it is a good idea to clean the fireplace itself. First, brush away the ashes while wearing a mask to protect your lungs. Then, gently wipe down the fireplace with a specialized hearth cleaner, gloves, and some rags. Once the fireplace is clean, you can then simply pile your blankets inside for a haphazard, casual look.

Alternatively, you could opt to decorate your home with blankets by making them into a statement piece inside your fireplace. To do this, grab some baskets or other cute containers and arrange them in different spots within the fireplace. This will help create varied heights for a more interesting, dynamic look. And for an elegant, historic feel, look out for unique vintage items such as old log holders to mix in with the other containers. To really make the blanket storage display feel like a part of your overall design, try placing blankets on top that have colors that match other elements of your decor. For example, if you have a painting above your mantelpiece that has certain colors in it, try putting similarly colored blankets in key spots to ensure they are visible. This will help create a satisfying flow between the sections. You could even add a fun, plush rug in front of the fireplace to soften the whole area around the blankets as well.