Living Room Blanket Storage Ideas That Make Sense

Is there any better feeling than wrapping up in a clean, warm blanket on a rainy afternoon? Afghans, blankets, comforters, throws, duvets — they're a signature part of cozy living and design. They also take up a lot of space in your rooms when you're not actually bundled up in them. Here are some tips on how to store all your blankets and extra bedding, from ways to keep them fresh and undamaged to some ingenious — and very trendy — living room blanket storage ideas you can use in any size living room or bedroom.

Start With Clean Bedding

Launder everything first. Like anything that comes into contact with our bodies, sheets, blankets, pillowcases and comforters retain oils from our skin — not to mention, all the microscopic flakes of skin we shed every minute of every day. Over time, those oils can discolor and even damage fabrics. Even worse, the dead skin cells attract bugs and other pests that can eat holes in your favorite comforter or expensive down duvet. So, before you start packing things away, run them through the wash and dry them thoroughly.

Choose Your Storage Location Carefully

Fabric needs special consideration. Proper storage is essential to keeping your bedding safe from pests, moisture, smells, stains and other damage. You'll want to choose a location that's not prone to flooding, and that's protected from pests and vermin. In other words, probably not your cellar or garage. If you don't have a linen closet, check out some of our living room blanket storage ideas below.

Pick the Right Storage Containers

Covered plastic storage bins are among the best, most affordable options for most fabric items. They're sturdy, protect against moisture, and don't attract pests. If possible, avoid cardboard boxes, which tend to be a favorite nesting material for mice and other little critters.

Protect Against Pests

Even if you're packing everything into plastic pins with locking lids, it makes sense to take a few extra preventative steps to protect against moths and other pests. Pack the bedding with a couple of cedar blocks and/or some silica gel desiccant sachets to help deter them. This article from a fabric-hoarding crafter has some more info and tips on storing any kind of fabric safely.

Keep Stored Linens Smelling Fresh

Fabrics that have been stored for a while can end up smelling musty even if they're protected from moisture. You can keep them smelling fresh with a couple of dryer sheets, bars of soap (it's a great use for travel soaps picked up from hotels) or linen sachets tucked into each bin.

Organize With Pillowcases

Got bedding sets for different rooms or multiple sheet sets for each bed? After you launder a set, fold them and tuck the fitted sheet, top sheet, pillow shams, and other items into one pillowcase. When it's time to change the beds, you'll never have to hunt for the matching pillowcases or bed skirt again.

Fold Comforters the Right Way

You can save space in your storage container — and keep your comforter or duvet neater — by folding it properly.

If you're folding a fluffy comforter:

1. Lay the comforter flat.
2. Fold it in thirds widthwise, with both sides coming into the middle.
3. Fold it in half lengthwise, then in half again.

For a thin comforter:

1. Lay the comforter flat.
2. Fold two opposite corners in to meet in the middle.
3. Fold the unfolded corners in to meet in the middle.
4. Fold the comforter in half and in half again.

Pack by Weight

Pack folded sheets, curtains and heavy blankets in the bottom. Place down comforters and other fluffy items on tops where they won't get squished by the heavier stuff.

These tips are what you need to know if you're storing blankets and linens for a period of time, or packing them for a move. But there are also everyday blanket storage solutions for those blankets you're using often.

5 Living Room Blanket Storage Ideas

There are some blankets you want to keep close at hand — the snuggly one you wrap up in for binge-watching your favorite show on a rainy weekend, for example — and others that are just too pretty to hide out of sight. Here are five ways to "store" blankets in your living room, bedroom or family room. Not only are they quick and easy, but most of them double as design accents.

1. Casually Toss Them Over a Chair

Cozy and hygge are back in style — and that includes homey touches like a blanket or throw casually tossed over the back of a sofa or the arm of a chair. If you're compulsive about neatness, you might like one of our favorite hacks: roll or fold your unused comforter and tuck it into a decorative pillow cover, then toss the pillow on your sofa or chair. If you can't find one you like, check out this great YouTube video that shows you how to make your own.

2. Toss Them in a Blanket Basket

Baskets are a decorator's best friend. They're attractive, functional and best of all, they can hide oceans of clutter behind a pretty facade. Big baskets are especially popular right now and come in a variety of materials such as rope, cloth, wire and more to suit any and all aesthetics. Just choose your favorite basket — or DIY one (here's a tutorial on making one with a Dollar Tree laundry basket and a couple of hanks of rope) — and station it beside your couch, bed or comfy chair. You can toss blankets in as is, or roll/fold them loosely to keep things a little neater.

3. Hang Them on a Blanket Ladder

Got pretty blankets you want to display and a little bit of wall space going to waste? A blanket ladder is a great solution. It’s exactly what it sounds like — a ladder with rungs you can fold your blankets over. Like baskets, blanket ladders are very trendy room decor items right now, which means you can buy them just about anywhere that sells home goods. Most are meant to lean against a wall, though there are also over-the-door versions, as well as free-standing "quilt racks" you can place at the foot of your bed. And of course, if you're decorating on a budget — or just like being able to say "I made it myself" — a blanket ladder is pretty easy to make if you have even the most basic carpentry skills.

4. Hide Them in a Storage Ottoman or Bench

Storage ottomans and benches are perfect for bedding and blankets you want to keep close, but don't use all that often. Not only do they provide storage and look great in your room, they also provide extra seating and somewhere to put your feet up. 

This living room blanket storage option is for those blankets you want out of sight, out of mind — until you need them. That makes them ideal for storing bedding for the pull-out couch or holding a couple of heavier quilts or comforters that you just might have to break out for cooler nights. Just keep in mind that this is an actual storage option, so all the usual rules apply — clean them first and tuck in a few dryer sheets or other sweet-smelling goodies to keep your blankets smelling fresh. 

5. Stuff Them Under the Sofa

Okay, not really stuff them, but if you have at least five inches of space under your sofa, that space is fair game for storage use. Obviously, you don't want to just put your clean blankets and comforters on the floor, but there are quite a few under-bed storage options from which to choose. HGTV lists several here for under-bed storage options — and most of them will work just as well under a sofa with enough clearance.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing under-sofa storage for blankets and other cloth items:

• Avoid cardboard boxes. If you have any type of pests, you're just feeding them, and you'll end up with infested bedding. Not a fun thing at all.
• Likewise, skip the el cheapo "non-woven" zippered storage bags for the same reasons. 
• Opt for hard-sided storage bins, like wheeled under-bed plastic storage boxes with locking lids.
• Vacuum storage bags can help maximize the space under your bed, but use them in conjunction with closed storage bins. 

Need more ideas for maximizing space? Check out our blog posts on making the most of your small living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom for ideas and inspiration.