The Best Ways to Add Storage Space to Your Living Room for Under $175

I'm always looking for ways to increase the storage in my home, which makes me a big believer in storage furniture-the kind of items that serve one purpose but open up to reveal interior space perfect for housing other things out of sight. And there one room you likely spend a lot of time in that you're under-utilizing for storage: your living room.

Storage ottomans

In the living room, your best bet here is a storage ottoman, and while those can get pricy depending on how fancy you want them to look, a dependable, standard one is usually affordable. For instance, this one is sturdy and big, with a price tag of $44.99. Some other options:

• This round, tufted storage ottoman is $82.49 and looks sharp as a foot rest

• I also like these wicker storage ottomans, $100, because they add more of a rustic feeling

• A wide, hinged storage ottoman that looks like a coffee table is on sale at Target right now, but only in this brown color for $172.79 (and other colors can be over $400, so if you like the brown, don't wait)

Storage mirrors

I am also a strong proponent of using storage mirrors in the bedroom. Typically, I advocate for full-length ones that open up to storage shelving and pockets, but they come in smaller, wall-sized versions ($54.99), too, and those are a perfect upgrade for the living room. You're probably already decorating with a mirror in the space, so swap it for one that can serve you better by storing remotes, jewelry, or whatever else. Feeling fancy? A diamond-shaped one, better for that "living room decor" vibe, is $62.99.

In a similar vein, you can get a plain mirror that comes with containers and hooks attached ($133.92). This is a more standard storage solution that won't hold as much, but puts things like keys and wallets in a more easily accessible position.

Storage baskets

Sometimes, you can't really hide away everything in the name of storage-that's where decorative baskets come in. They're ideal for things like extra blankets or little kids' toys, and you can get some really nice decorative ones for around $25. Try these, too:

• I like this set of three woven baskets for $39.99 because having matching ones around creates more of a put-together look, which is helpful when you're storing your stuff out in the open

• At 20"x13", this larger one ($23.98) is great for bigger blankets and pillows

• A toy box like this one ($129.99) also counts as a storage basket because it's not quite functional furniture, but it hides its contents better than an open container, which is sometimes a necessity

Side tables

Finally, options for inexpensive side tables are surprisingly sparse, but I recommend this one for $84.99 because of its designated section for fabrics. It could be used for towels in a (very large) bathroom, but it's also ideal for accessible blanket storage in a living room. Other considerations:

• There's a limited-time deal running on this multi-container side table ($47.79), which features a USB port in addition to its various storage areas

• With a flat top, cube shelving, and built-in book and magazine racks, $139.99 is a pretty reasonable price for this side table-plus it rotates so you don't even have to get off the couch to grab something off of it

• I'm also really into this set of two mini tables ($75) because they're wire baskets with flat lids that are tall enough to serve as tables, so they'd be a fun way to store pillows, kids' toys, or family games