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5 Perfect Racks to Maximize Space in Small Rooms

Five rack models for a small room that optimize space with elegance and functionality, from wall-mounted to mirrored.

By CASACOR Publisher

Submitted at May 30, 2025, 6:00 AM

08 min de leitura
Roberta Nicolau's Project.

Roberta Nicolau's Project. (Denilson Machado, do MCA Estúdio)

In compact projects, every centimeter counts. Therefore, investing in functional and well-dimensioned furniture is essential to ensure comfort and fluidity. The rack for small living rooms is one of these key elements: in addition to accommodating the TV and electronic devices, it can serve as a support point for decorative objects, storage niches, and even a subtle divider between integrated projects.

Meet the apartment of architects Carol Freitas and Fabio Bouillet. In the picture, a TV room with paintings, an armchair, and a rug.

Projeto de Carol Freitas e Fabio Bouillet. (Lilia Mendel/Divulgação)

We have selected five rack models that stand out due to their smart design and ability to optimize the space without compromising style. These are solutions that adapt to different tastes and needs, ideal for those seeking functionality with aesthetics.

How to choose the ideal rack for your small living room


Mustard yellow and blue give personality to a 2,442 sq ft apartment. Project by Tetriz Architecture. In the photo, living room with blue wall and tv.

Projeto de Tetriz Arquitetura. (Renato Navarro/Divulgação)

Before defining the ideal rack model, carefully assess the available size on the wall and the free circulation space. Very tall or wide racks can visually weigh down the space, while more compact and lower options help create a horizontal line that 'stretches' the project. Consider also the size of the TV, the height of the sofa, and the amount of objects you intend to store in the furniture.

Green shelf is the protagonist of an apartment with a house-like feel. Project by Carmen Zaccaro. In the photo, living room with brick wall and view of the trees.

Projeto de Carmen Zaccaro. (Juliano Colodeti, do MCA Estúdio/Divulgação)

The choice of material and finish is also crucial: light tones, mirrors, and smooth surfaces help to enlarge the space, while natural woods warm the project. With the right model, the rack goes beyond the support function and becomes a focal point in the living room layout, unifying functionality, aesthetics, and visual comfort.

1. Suspended rack


Garden apartment gains three garden areas on the balconies. Project by Mandril Architecture. In the picture, living room with stone wall and tv.

Projeto de Mandril Arquitetura. (Mariana Orsi/Divulgação)

Mounted directly on the wall, the suspended rack is a modern option that brings visual lightness to the project. By eliminating the base on the floor, it expands the sense of free space and allows the floor to be completely visible — something that makes a significant difference in small living spaces. Moreover, it facilitates cleaning and prevents dust from accumulating under the furniture.

The model combines very well with contemporary and minimalist designs, especially when made with neutral finishes or light wood. It can be accompanied by a TV panel or float on its own, creating a discreet and elegant visual composition.

2. Rack with open niches


Green shelf is the protagonist of an apartment with a house-like feel. Project by Carmen Zaccaro. In the photo, living room with brick wall and view of the trees.

Projeto de Carmen Zaccaro. (Juliano Colodeti, do MCA Estúdio/Divulgação)

The rack with open niches is a versatile choice for those needing extra space for organization without resorting to heavy furniture. The niches function as small multifunctional compartments: they serve to organize books, magazines, decorative boxes, plants, and even electronic devices in a practical and accessible manner.

This openness contributes to the lightness of the furniture and avoids a 'loaded' appearance, which is essential in small living rooms. It's also a great opportunity to display cherished objects and give personality to the space — as long as they are used in moderation.

3. Rack with sliding doors


Paola Ribeiro signs a 196 m² apartment with a Carioca soul in SP. Project by Paola Ribeiro, In the photo, a TV room with a white L-shaped sofa and a painting.

Projeto de Paola Ribeiro. (Rafael Renzo/CASACOR)

In projects with limited circulation space, the sliding doors make all the difference. By dispensing with traditional opening movement, they free up the front area of the furniture, allowing its use close to sofas or side walls. Besides functionality, the doors create a continuous and elegant front, which helps maintain the aesthetics of the living room more organized.

It's a good alternative for those who want to hide everyday objects — such as remote controls, cables, and games — without compromising the project's style. Models with wood-like finishes, matte lacquer, or subtle shine add a sophisticated touch even in compact spaces.

4. Multifunctional rack with shelf


Neutral color palette creates lightness in a 532 m² apartment. Design by David Bastos. In the photo, a TV room with a shelf and sofa.

Projeto de David Bastos. (Fran Parente/Divulgação)

When space is limited, it's important that furniture serves more than one function. The multifunctional rack with shelf integrates different forms of storage into a single piece — open shelves, closed cabinets, and vertical niches — optimizing entire walls in an organized way.

This type of rack can even replace bulky shelves or auxiliary furniture, centralizing the visual focus of the living room. It's an especially interesting solution for those living in studios or integrated apartments, where the furniture can serve as a delimiter of projects.

5. Mirrored rack


mirror rack

(Pinterest/Divulgação)

The mirrored rack is a true wildcard for visually expanding small projects. The mirror applied to the front of the furniture reflects the surrounding space, creating an illusion of depth and increasing the brightness of the environment. This solution, besides being practical, is extremely elegant — ideal for living rooms looking for a more refined touch.

Available in versions with fully mirrored doors or with specific details, the mirrored rack can adapt to both classic and contemporary compositions. It works especially well when combined with light walls and natural lighting.

CASACOR Publisher is a creator of exclusive content, developed by the Technology team of CASACOR from the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text has been edited by Yeska Coelho. [april-check-also]W3siaWQiOjE5Nzg2MywidGl0bGUiOiIzMCBkZSBNYWlvICYjeEU5OyBvIERpYSBkbyBkZWNvcmFkb3I6IHNhaWJhIG1haXMgc29icmUgZXNzYSBwcm9maXNzJiN4RTM7byJ9LHsiaWQiOjE5Nzk0MywidGl0bGUiOiJBenVsZWpvcyBpbmNyJiN4RUQ7dmVpczogMTEgb3AmI3hFNzsmI3hGNTtlcyBwYXJhIGVsZXZhciBvIHZpc3VhbCBkbyBiYW5oZWlybyJ9LHsiaWQiOjE5NzkwNCwidGl0bGUiOiI3IGluc3BpcmEmI3hFNzsmI3hGNTtlcyBwYXJhIHRlciB1bSBiYXIgY2hhcm1vc28gZW0gc2FsYXMgcGVxdWVuYXMifV0=[/april-check-also]