When you design a room, first think about how you will stash everything up and out of your way. After you've figured out how much utility space you really need, you can then work on how to make it look attractive. Most people make the mistake of trying to figure out where they'll put their stuff, only after they've decorated and become attached to an inflexible design. The function should dictate the form.
Your inspired decor theme will be visually lost if the room is drowning in clutter and the floors choked with objects. No one wants to bend over a zillion times to move things, so most people just avoid cleaning their floors when there is as well much on them. Shelves, storage cabinets, and hanging baskets help you to keep things off the floor.