Make Use of Dead Space Under the Stairs
Space under the stairs can be put to productive use rather than being dead space. This article provides some simple ideas for making the most of your stair area.
Steps
- Use it for storage. Space under the stairs lends itself wonderfully to storage. If you are handy with construction, line the space with cedar panels and add some hooks and shelving space. Store winter clothes in this area off season, along with other items that need protection from insects. If the space is large enough, consider adding a linen cupboard space to one end and use the rest of the space for clothing, shoes, etc. It can also be a great spot for leaving the vacuum cleaner and brooms.
- Use it for sports gear. Sports gear can take up a lot of space and it can come in all sorts of odd shapes that don't look great sprawled around the house. Consider using the under stair space area to hang hockey sticks, shelve soccer boots and store camping gear. If your family has a range of favourite sports, hang hooks and designate shelving areas for different sporting equipment.
- Turn the space into a laundry. Laundries in cupboards are commonplace nowadays but why not take it one step further and put the laundry in a cupboard under the stairs? This may well free up the laundry room space for another room space, such as a study. Provided the plumbing is not an issue, this could be a neat solution for a tidy laundry space. Be sure to vent the dryer outside to prevent moisture build-up.
- Make it into a study. It might be the perfect spot for the computer, filing cabinet and a desk. In small places, this may be a better solution than trying to share space in another room for a study, where noise and other distractions might interfere with use of the study space. Add doors etc. as necessary; if you cannot add doors, perhaps add a fold-out screen to help shield your work space and provide a break between the study and the thoroughfare next to the stairs.
- Make a reading nook. Add a sofa, a lamp table with lamp and a small bookcase. Instant special space for reading only.
- Line it with shelves for books. This can be a great space for a small library and helps to keep books from spilling out elsewhere. Passers-by can see books and take them as they grab their attention.
- Add a sofa bed and bedside tables. By day this can serve as a private space for reading and relaxing. However, if you have guests and you don't have another bedroom for them, the sofa bed will enable you to create and instant guest room under the stairs. Consider providing a foldaway screen or curtains as a privacy barrier that can be removed during the day.
Tips
- There are many other possibilities too. It all depends on what sort of space you have, its dimensions and the type of traffic passing by.
Things You'll Need
- Under stair space
- Wooden panelling (cedar) if desired
- Shelving
- Hooks
- Door/wall panelling if desired
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