What is a Great Room?
Let’s backtrack a bit and dive into a question we hear often: What exactly is a great room? Because these spaces serve different purposes and vary from home to home, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all definition to explain what a great room is. But, generally speaking, great rooms are an open-concept living room, family room, and usually a dining room, all in one. According to a survey conducted by Consumer Insights Now, homeowners report spending 50% of the time they’re awake in the living room, making it the most popular room in the house. So, homeowners naturally want this space to look the best it can.
You know what they say, look good, feel good. You want to feel completely comfortable and content in the most-used room in your house. And what supports those feelings? Tidiness, organization, and a design you love. The problem is, due to the size and scope of great rooms, there’s usually a lot of space to work with. Or, even if your great room isn’t an exceptionally large space, envisioning great room ideas, storage solutions, and a layout that’s different from what your home currently has–or even starting with a blank slate–is really challenging for the average homeowner to do.
That’s where we come in. At Inspired Closets, we make transforming your great room easy from start to finish. Our design experts will work with you to create great room storage solutions that make the absolute most of your space so it looks and feels exactly how you want it to. Next, our professional installation team quickly and efficiently installs your new great room solutions so the most-used room of your house isn’t out of commission for long. Then, all that’s left to do is sit back, relax, maybe do some decorating, and enjoy your new great room space that you absolutely love. Keep reading to learn about the custom storage solutions we offer to make your great room decorating ideas come to life.
Custom Built-In Shelving
Maximize Wall Space
Our custom shelving solutions utilize wall space both low and high to create as much storage and display space as you need. Whether you have to design around an existing fireplace or you have big, blank walls, we can use floating shelves, library-style bookshelves, and shelves coupled with cabinetry to make the most of your great room wall space.
Showcase Personal Items
Custom shelves are an ideal great room storage addition, but they’re also perfect for organizing books, art, and any other personal items you want to keep on display. Open shelving creates an opportunity to show off your personality and style with decor and design touches, as well as reflect the overall aesthetic of the home.
Custom Entertainment Centers
Integrated Media Solutions
The different technology solutions you have in your great room are specific to you and your family, so we believe the way they’re stored should be unique to you, too. From TV mounting options to floating shelves and custom cabinets with cord management solutions and integrated outlets, a custom entertainment center is not only one of our best-looking great room decorating ideas, but it also keeps your things protected and organized. Plus, it makes it easy to find what you’re looking for and keep your space tidy.
Concealed Storage
Custom cabinets and drawers designed for the many media accessories most homes have play a major role in keeping things organized and ensuring it’s easy for everyone in the house, kids included, to clean up after themselves. Our custom great room storage solutions can be designed to hold gaming consoles and controllers, remotes, movies, sound systems, records, and whatever else you want to keep behind closed doors.
Murphy Beds
Additional Guest Space
What if we told you we can create an entire living space for guests in your great room? And no, we’re not referring to an air mattress or making up the couch! Our super comfortable and easy-to-use Murphy beds are one of our favorite large great room ideas that get you so much more use out of your space. They stay completely hidden, blending in with built-ins that match the rest of the room until it’s time for guests to visit. Our Murphy beds come in twin, full, and queen options so you can choose whichever size fits best in your space.
Built-In Murphy Bed Storage
In addition to a cozy place to sleep, we can also design built-in nightstands, shelving systems, and closet storage to accompany your Murphy bed, making it truly feel like an additional guest room that blends in seamlessly with the rest of your great room. If you need the space to function as a temporary home office, we can also add a desk to the back of your Murphy bed that folds flat when not in use.
Multifunctional Furniture & Built-In Storage
Built-In Bench
Whether you have one of those awkward alcoves you don’t know what to do with, a beautiful bay window you’d like to take better advantage of, or extra blank wall space, a built-in bench will add both additional seating and additional hidden storage to your great room design.
Storage Ottomans
If you have a large great room, chances are you probably have an ottoman or two, or your space could benefit from one. When choosing ottomans, we recommend opting for a comfortable option that also offers additional hidden space for great room storage. Ottomans with removable tops or tops that tilt open are convenient for putting away blankets, games, and more to quickly tidy up your space.
Under-Furniture Storage
Do you have any couches, chairs, coffee tables, or end tables with space underneath? Don’t let it get wasted–take advantage of the extra room by utilizing baskets, totes, tubs, and more for extra great room organization and hidden storage.
Entertainment Spaces & Wet Bars
Because great rooms are often used for hosting, a dedicated entertainment space or a wet bar are both popular great room storage additions. Shelves, cabinets, drawers, and even room for a mini fridge can store everything you need to whip up drinks for your guests.
A built-in hutch between your living space and kitchen area is another beautiful and functional great room decorating idea. Glass-front upper cabinets and closed lower cabinets with a long countertop are ideal for storing glasses and dishware, as well as for setting out charcuterie, sweet treats, or any other snacks when you’re hosting.
Custom Closets and Storage
What’s one of the best ways to keep your great room organized and tidy? Plenty of closet storage, of course! Whether you need better organization in a front closet near the great room or you want to add a custom closet to a unique space, like under the stairs or in a small alcove, a closet system designed for your exact needs will go a long way to create ample great room organization and storage space.
Built-In Desks and Workspaces
It’s common to add a workspace or a desk to the great room for anyone in the family to use as needed. We make it easy with a built-in desk, custom cabinets, drawers, shelves, and integrated lighting that come together to create an efficient and dedicated home office space within your great room.
Custom Lighting Solutions
Incorporate dedicated, integrated lighting into the custom cabinets in your entertainment center, office space, or the storage surrounding a Murphy bed to create even more functionality in your great room. Spaces that are easy to see are easy to use and be in. Plus, custom lighting solutions add a luxurious, stylish touch to any space.
Make Your Great Room Truly Great
No more wasting time in a great room that doesn’t work how you need it to. Let’s work together to create the look, feel, and functionality you want in the most well-loved space in your home. If you’re interested in more great room inspiration and decorating ideas, make sure you download our digital brochure.
We know things are busy right now–you’re probably in holiday planning mode and not thinking about taking on any additional home projects. That’s why we make things easy. Schedule an appointment with a design expert now so you’re ready to tackle your great room transformation in the new year. From inspiration to installation, we’re with you every step of the way. Ready to get started?
