Under-Stairs Storage - How to Create a Functional Space

When looking to optimize storage space around the house, every little nook or cranny available becomes priceless. You can even transform areas like that void sitting beneath your quarter-turn stairs. Instead of leaving it unutilized, the space can be converted into storage or a practical area. With a creative eye and a clever mind, there are no limits to what you can do with the space available under quarter-turn stairs. 

How can you convert the space beneath your stairs into convenient storage? What’s the best way of optimizing the space underneath your stairs? Can you build a closet, dry or wet bar, or home office under stairs? Get answers to these questions below.

How to Maximize the Space Under Quarter-Turn Stairs: Ideas and More

If you were to ask your family or friends what’s missing in their house, their answer is likely to be storage! Even in spacious homes, storage space is often at capacity. With the purpose of a streamlined organization that compliments your daily routine, feel free to use every bit of space available throughout your home, such as the void beneath your quarter-turn stairs.

Moreover, there are several storage options suited to under-stairs. 

What Type of Storage Furniture Fits Under Stairs?

If you’d rather expedite your under-stairs transformation project, opt for open storage ideas. You can set up a storage unit purchased from furniture retailers. Make sure to measure the space available and design everything according to your needs, ensuring the storage is accessible and easy to manage for all. 

Bookshelf or Open Shelving

Such a storage idea is primarily suited to books, a television set, or toys, but can also accommodate closed bins to store other items like food, tools, clothing, or anything else you want stored away. Such shelving can be converted into a pantry, playroom storage area, or dream bookcase for avid readers. 

Enclosed Storage Cupboard

To prevent visual clutter, enclosed cabinets are literal gems. If you prefer minimalist decor or are dealing with a rather cluttered space, enclosed storage cabinets are great for concealing clutter. That way, you don’t have to spend your time reorganizing and dusting your stuff, ensuring everything is clean and tidy! Why not store clothes, important documents, or non-perishables?

A Pairing of Open Shelving and Enclosed Storage Cabinets

Assess your needs in terms of storage and draw up a plan on a sheet of paper or computer. At every step, measure and validate your measurements, given the limited amount of space to work with. 

How to Build an Office Space Under Stairs

Setting up a full office space under stairs might seem like a formidable challenge, but never underestimate the sheer power of space optimization! Just take a look at old Parisien apartment layouts or modern buildings in big cities like Hong Kong to see how every inch of the space is used to its fullest potential. 

You don’t have a spare room to set up an office, yet there’s an unused area under your stairs? Now that’s something to consider! Get your tape measure and keep it handy as it’ll be your best friend during this project. Every square inch matters when you’re hoping to stick a desk, a computer, a few shelves, and a chair beneath your staircase.

The space will be quite limited, but it doesn’t mean your home office will be any less cozy for that matter! You’ll have to select smaller furniture, and everything has to have a purpose. If you can afford it, hire an interior designer. These industry experts know what type of layout and setup to prioritize and can show you a range of options.

Below are the key stages to designing a home office under stairs:

• Measure the space available

• Put together a mood board, displaying ideas you found online or in magazines

• Look for furniture and accessories you might like

• Set up the different components in your home office

• Enjoy your new space!

What to Know About Creating an Under-Stairs Reading Nook? 

By scrolling through design idea websites like Pinterest, you can find a bunch of pictures of the space directly beneath a staircase, converted into a reading nook or lounge area. The restricted space creates a sort of comfy cocoon, ideal for cozying up with a good read or unwind. 

As far as design is concerned, you can keep it as simple as can be by adding a small reading chair and some shelving, floor pillows, and soothing decorative items. You can also consider building a cushiony booth that lines the width of the staircase, fitted with drawers and installing shelving on the wall to display a few books. Written descriptions of the latter can nudge you in the right direction but nothing beats visual examples!

Set Up a Wet or Dry Bar Under Your Staircase

You’ve always wanted to have a wet or dry bar in your house, but thought it would be unrealistic? Check beneath your stairs because said space could be turned into the perfect mixology lab, or a shelving area to display imported or microbrew beers. If the under-stairs area is open, you can install custom or store-bought furniture.

If the under-stairs area is enclosed, you’ll have to assess whether it can be opened without making drastic changes, or if the stringers need to be reinforced. All things considered, it’s safe to say that this sort of project is well within reach.

How to Transform and Organize an Enclosed Under-Stairs Space

The void sitting beneath quarter-turn stairs is, by default, almost always left open, but oftentimes, said space is enclosed with drywall, and behind it, there’s an empty space waiting to be filled! To create an enclosed design, a new wall can be built, removing the old one and adding shelves, doors, and drawers. Since there’s an existing staircase structure, a custom storage concept can be created. 

This sort of project has a relatively elevated complexity level and shouldn’t be done haphazardly, especially since the wall partition is an essential component of the staircase’s structure. We highly recommend hiring a seasoned carpenter to build custom, under-stairs storage. Interior designers are also experienced with this type of project, hiring out the work to trusted experts.

Build Under-Stairs Closet

Given that a staircase has an obvious slope, the closet’s shape will line the stringers, from top to bottom. Depending on the height of the top landing and that of the treads, you can probably build a large cabinet, followed by a few smaller ones.

If your stairs are located near the front entrance, you can store your outdoor clothing and gear.

Add Under-Stairs Storage Drawers

Are you lousy with LEGO building bricks, arts and crafts material, pairs of shoes, and anything else you want readily available? Drawers might be just what you need. Note that this sort of setup is rather complex, so its dedicated budget should be a bit higher.

Installing several drawers under a staircase requires quite a bit of calculation and a lot of different parts to assemble. That said, the result can be quite stunning. And, if done right, the space is fully optimized and proves useful on a daily basis!

How to Build an Under-Stairs Laundry Room

First, you’ll need to make sure there’s sufficient space to install a small laundry space under your stairs. Once confirmed, contact a plumber who will then assess the project’s overall feasibility given the additional outlets and hookups. Other renovation specialists will guide you along this remodel that shouldn’t be done on the fly, as a poorly executed installation could lead to major damage. That being said, when done right, it’s a genius idea!

Can You Build a Kitchen Under Quarter-Turn Stairs?

Consider two scenarios:  

- Your kitchen is too small for you, but the only space available to make it bigger is beneath your stairs.

- You’re drawing up plans for a new house and you’ve had the genius idea of building your kitchen beneath your stairs.

In either case, the same question is posed: Is it doable?

The short answer is probably. However, giving you a straight answer in an article as general as this one is complicated since we don’t have access to most factors we’d need to answer accordingly. That being said, in most cases, building a kitchen underneath a staircase is feasible. The ceiling height under stairs will be a challenging feat, given that it’ll determine what kind of furniture and appliances fit. 

For example, is the space big and tall enough to accommodate a refrigerator, sink, and oven, while rendering the space user-friendly? If the space is too restricted, you can focus your design on dishware storage or a pantry. Those are just a couple of ideas possible, feel free to speak with an expert kitchen or interior designer if your project has turned into your version of the Roman Empire and desperately want to get things underway.

Under-Stairs Storage: A Custom-Built Space?

If the space under your stairs is already open or partially so, you can carry out this sort of project in a few easy steps. You can decide to head the DIY route or hire a certified contractor to complete the necessary remodel. You can purchase store-bought furniture and set them up in the space available. This is a simple and relatively inexpensive way to maximize your home’s storage.

On the other hand, for flawless results, nothing beats furniture that's tailor-made to the space under your quarter-turn stairs. A lot of businesses specialize in building and installing custom furniture. To achieve a look that takes into account both the nature of the space available and its size, a personalized design is the only way to go.

You’ll likely have to hire an experienced interior designer or carpenter. Such experts can put together a unique project, matching the quality depicted in the pictures you gathered on your mood board.

How to Choose Under-Stairs Storage

Ideas aren’t lacking yet you can’t seem to choose between the options featured in this article and the ones you pictured. Below are two criteria to help you decide once and for all: 

• What do you need most right now: More storage? Bigger kitchen? A lounge area?

• Budget: Do you want to build a custom setup or simply add a few pieces of furniture?

FAQ About Under-Stairs Storage

Can the space under the basement stairs be converted?

Absolutely! Just like all other areas of a house, the space under your basement stairs is a great storage option. Often, ceilings are lower in basements, so closets, drawers, or shelves are smaller, but just as useful!

What are some creative ways to convert the space under living room stairs?

Is your staircase in your living room? If so, why not set up your television set and display a few trinkets and family photos? It's a practical way to use the space.

Here are other ways to convert the space under a staircase:

• Set up a day bed serving as a guest bed

• Install a wine cellar (if in a cool area) or a wet/dry bar to fulfill your mixologist aspirations

• Create a magical playroom for your little ones

• Set up an office space or reading nook

Can you build a bathroom beneath a staircase?

It all depends on your house’s layout. Is the opening under your staircase leading out to a bigger area, one fit to accommodate a bathroom? If so, such a project is most likely feasible. Alternatively, a half bath is often found beneath a staircase, which is a bit more realistic for some. To build a bathroom or half bath underneath stairs, ensure there’s sufficient headroom and the possibility of adding plumbing fittings.

How can partition walls under stairs be safely removed?

If there’s ever a project that shouldn’t be done haphazardly, it’s removing any type of wall in a home! It’s hard to know which ones are load-bearing, which is crucial to your home’s structural integrity. To avoid making a monumental error, please do yourself a favour and hire a team of experts! There are ways to remove load-bearing walls while transferring loads to other structural elements (beams, columns).

Can a kids’ playroom be built under stairs?

The space beneath a staircase can be converted into a magical playroom! It’s small, cozy, and tucked away. It can be the ultimate creative outlet for your little ones. You can put in some shelving, filled with books and jigsaw puzzles, a comfortable seating area, a climbing wall, yoga mats, and more. 

How to design the space under a quarter-turn staircase?

Every inch matters when dealing with restricted space. Take some time to design a plan or hire someone to do so (interior designer, architect). Stick to basics, ensuring the final layout is efficient or user-friendly, meeting your needs.