Good Questions: Under the Stair Storage Solutions? Los Angeles

Good Questions: Under the Stair Storage Solutions?
Los Angeles

Dear AT, I have an issue at my new place with storage. We have an empty space under our stairs (pictured above) that I would like to create a storage cupboard for the tools and what not I currently have in boxes, and also a desk/shelving/media area solution for me to study and shelve my college study books, currently I use my dining table making our tiny space looking cluttered. Anyone out there have any affordable recommendations or solutions? -Melissa

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Hi Melissa, although we've posted about staircase storage solutions before, your two-tier dilemma for storage and workspace might require some custom cabinetry work. Anyone out there with a similar setup with recommendations for Melissa's staircase storage challenge?

Comments (8)

A great LA based designer named Alicia Friedman has this under the stairs solution posted here:

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1000299306#/photo.php?pid=30228583&id=1000299306

posted by glitterchckn on January 15th 2009 at 7:46pm
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If you can go to say Extra Space Storables or other similar type of retail storage solutions center they may well have what you need. Some cubes in 1, 2 or 3 cube configuration and arrange accordingly for storage, a table nestled in between them for desk space might be your solution and perhaps a simple shelt above the desk for books and such.

A thought.

posted by ciddyguy on January 15th 2009 at 8:01pm
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Something along the lines of the Trofast unit (IKEA)?

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10091453

posted by TheGoodBiGirl on January 15th 2009 at 8:04pm
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I have no stairs but I wish I did just so I could this:

http://pleasesirblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/office-under-stairs.html

posted by catspajamas on January 15th 2009 at 8:12pm
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If you don't need to have everything right at hand you could store them in old hard-shell suitcases. They would make an artful stack and fit easily under the stairs. I'm not sure what's in the righthand side of the photo, but it would look nice to have a table/desk surface that stretches the length of the wall. You could put wall shelves above and use simple filing cabinets below.

posted by cde on January 15th 2009 at 9:12pm
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I have an ikea-expedit upside down.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50103086

Happy weekend!

http://delikatisssen.wordpress.com/

posted by delikatissen on January 16th 2009 at 10:22am
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Google "step tansu" and assemble something similar by stacking found cabinets/book cases/drawers from thrift stores or wherever, and painted or stained alike.

posted by SherryBinNH on January 16th 2009 at 4:19pm
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My brother had a wonderful unit very similar in style to an ikea expedit shelving unit, except it was tiered so that at the low point of the stairs it was only one box high, and at the highest point it was five boxes high. The great thing was that it was the same dimensions as the expedit units, so all the baskets and boxes from ikea fitted perfectly.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60071358

I can't find a picture of the exact unit, as he bought it from a local store here in the UK. (I hope my description can help you visulise it enough!) If your pretty handy you could make your own, or if you can justify it, I would be severely tempted to take a saw to an expedit unit and make my own!

posted by jojomodjo on January 16th 2009 at 4:38pm
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