Decluttering A Family Room

As home entertainment systems become more sophisticated (or should we say complicated?), it’s easy to get crowded out by your own technology. To keep a relaxed feel throughout your home, look for ways to make technology work with your style — or at the very least, store it out of sight. Here’s our best advice for keeping that techno-clutter at bay in your living areas.

1. Disguise your console. Why settle for a standard entertainment unit when there are so many chic alternatives to be had? A low-lying cabinet, such as this one, hides the mess and tangle of cords and media players without sacrificing style for substance. While we love the stained auburn of this wooden piece, a sleek, glass-door dresser works equally well and allows your media and remote controls to communicate.

2. Consider a gallery wall. Just like the media console, a large television can stand out like a sore thumb in an otherwise perfectly styled room. Our solution? Get creative and incorporate your flat screen TV into a feature wall of framed art, the more eclectic the better! With all that visual interest, your TV will look right at home.

3. Multitask with baskets. Even with media players and remotes stashed safely away, a well-used entertainment room tends to get cluttered. Creative storage options are a must, like this large wicker basket that doubles as a container for stray blankets and knickknacks. The perfect mix of fashion and function, this hardworking piece even works as an ottoman in a pinch.