Space Under the Stairs
Creative Uses for The Space Under the Stairs
In a small home, every single square inch counts, from diminutive bedrooms to narrow hallways to tiny bathrooms. That also means that you’ll have to get very creative with your storage options.
But never fear—you’re in luck. If there is some space available underneath your stairs, it doesn’t have to just sit there untouched. There are plenty of things you can do with that space, such as alleviate your storage woes or create additional seating. Or, if you’re feeling really bold, you can even install a wine cellar.
Don’t let that space under your stairs sit neglected anymore. You can either set something up yourself, or hire a designer to create custom built-ins. These 10 designers and homeowners put their thinking caps on and got inventive with these random spots under the stairs—get ready to feel inspired to put that space to work in your own home.
Create a Garden
If you have several low-light houseplants, you can create a cozy little nook for them right under your stairs. Starting with built-in shelving, she wove in her plants among decorative items like baskets and books, turning that random spot into a mini green paradise.
Assemble a Library
This is another instance when built-in shelving comes in handy with those spaces under the stairs. The team at Regan Baker Design set up an impressive library under the stairs, adjacent to the dining room and oh-so-stylish with small, decorative objects mixed in. If you have a treasure trove of books that are sitting in a box, this is a fantastic way to give them the spotlight.
Install a Wet Bar
When you entertain, it can be handy to have a wet bar on hand to craft concoctions or crack open a bottle of wine. This wet bar, designed by Cortney Bishop Design, is conveniently right off of the living room and stands at the ready for cocktail hours and dinner parties with friends.
Get Organized
That spot under the stairs is a home-run option when it comes to clever storage. It’s as easy as installing some simple cabinetry or drawers, transforming that spot into a sophisticated way to store essentials. John Bynum Custom Homes used this space under the stairs as storage for pet must-haves.
Set up a Work space
Melissa of @thislittlehouseofours looked at this space under her stairs and saw an opportunity to create a stylish workspace. Keep it minimal with a desk that fits easily in the space, and if you like, you can take it one step further and also construct a reading nook like Melissa did here.
Display Decorative Objects
If you’d love a spot where you can show off decorative items that are near and dear to you, but you’re short on space, look no further than that space under the stairs. Construct some shelving and showcase your beloved décor. In this case, white décor juxtaposes beautifully against black shelving in a space captured by photographer Madeline Tolle.
Store Wine
How’s this for a bit of luxury? If you’re a wine aficionado, you’re sure to get inspired by this under-the-stairs wine cave created by Contract Development Inc. Install glass so you can see your wine collection in plain sight, which is sure to be a conversation starter among your guests.
Get Some Shut-Eye
When you’re living in a really small home, even a tiny home perhaps, every morsel of space is precious. That’s why this particular space solution from General Assembly is so ingenious: when the area isn’t being used as a workspace, the cabinet opens up and provides a fold-out bed. This is incredibly convenient, especially if you need to grab a few ZZZ’s in between work projects.
Craft a Kids’ Corner
It can be challenging to find enough space to stash kids’ toys and other essentials, which is why this idea from Lorna of @for.the.love.of.greige is so brilliant. She filled her space under the stairs with her daughter’s playroom necessities, like books, stuffed animals and other items neatly put away into bins.
Construct a Laundry Space
Instead of devoting an entire room to laundry, why not just put it under the stairs? Using custom-built slots crafted by Brickhouse Kitchens and Baths, the washer and dryer fit perfectly in this space, which means the homeowners can use turn that laundry room into a den or an office. Now that’s smart design.
the spruce: 10 Inventive Ideas for That Space Under the Stairs. 22. May 2019. https://www.thespruce.com/space-under-the-stairs-ideas-4580334
