Creative minds have come up with many ingenious ways to utilize the square footage underneath the stairs — a space that goes to waste in a lot of homes. I searched out the best strategies for creating storage in this common problem area, and here are some of the most useful concepts amd solutions I've come across:
1. Cubbies You can pack in the maximum amount of stuff with this arrangement, and it can be done in an aesthetically pleasing way, too — like with colorful books.
2. Office This is the most multifunctional idea as it houses shelving, desk space, seating, and other kinds of storage.
3. Roll-outs The standard rolling mechanism on a drawer can be used in novel ways if you run out of room for clothes in the closet.
4. Wine It would be awkward to store many types of things in the triangular space under the stairs, but wine bottles can conform to any configuration.
5. Paneled doors A functional way to break up the monotony of painted drywall, building decorative paneled doors allows you to hide your junk away almost seamlessly.
With additional reporting by my dad, Jack Werbler.
Images: 1. Indiemoon; 2. Geheause; 3. Just a Girl; 4. Jill Seidner Interior Design; 5. AK-Magnolia House
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I use that space to store my eleven year-old wizard.
^ hahahaha new favorite person
my parents store wine under their stairs
That wine rack is so cool it almost makes me want to take up wine as a hobby. Almost.
I love, love, love the bookshelf idea! We have a large blank wall under our stairs. I'd love to wallpaper it, but it seems like such a pain to get all those angles. Anyone have any ideas? I tried the Paper Source trick from an old AT article, but it looked bad. Would love suggestions!
insiring photos. i think the bookcase idea is the most attractive.
Maybe it's the photo angle, but the stairs on #1 look dangerously steep.
Makes me ALMOST want a staircase ;)
I so wish I could do something like this, but the stairs in my apartment do not have open space under the stairs. It's just a wall, and that wall happens to be the only place where cable tv hookups are. I cannot tell you how frustrating this is!
Sprklberie wins life. I have a small area under my stairs and I have no clue what to do with it. There is a bookshelf and a lot of stuff I don't know where else to put.
My bathroom is partially under the stairs - just the toilet anyway. The rest of it normal height.
Is anybody else (psychologically) worried that the bookcase situation in #1 looks unsafe/scary?! I guess it's somehow safe and supported, but it certainly does not look like it...
@KristieS i agree! it almost appears photoshopped :)
I think it really appears photoshopped. I would be shocked if it were real.
Big up to the HP fans! I think the bookcase is built into the back wall and recessed, so it's probably supporting the stairs. I do think there needs to be a railing, though, and maybe a vertical support beam halfway across.
Anyway, I'm not architect. Besides, I think it's too modern for that home and like the office idea better.
I use that space to store my eleven year-old wizard.-Sprklberie
I couldn't help thinking of the little cupboard under the stairs at the Dursley's too!
I really like #1, but I wouldn't really ever want to walk on that. It does have a railing on one side, but I don't know if I'd feel comfortable with the other side so open...I've seen it in several places before from different angles, and I still don't know about safety. It does seem to have something on the treads to prevent slipping though. I kind of like #3 too.