In a lot of homes, at the end of the staircase there’s a wall that meets the stair treads and behind it is extra storage space in the form of a closet or shelving. Against a stairwell, the no fail accent is a console table or bench but let’s say there’s an empty space under the stairs and you’re looking to fill it with something less predictable.
Display Art
We’ve all seen art displayed on the wall above the stairs, but this example is a refreshing twist – use the small niche under the stairs to display a gallery wall and suspend cube shelving adds both style and storage to this triangular shaped space.
Create a Conversation Zone
Pull up a banquette or pair of chairs if the space under your staircase is open like these, paired with a table you’ll create an inviting spot to sit and chat.
Make a Mini Mud Room
Every home needs a place to hang your hat, that niche under the stairs can be utilized to house coats, umbrellas, rain boots, all those layers you’ll need when you’re headed out the door.
Create a Reading Nook
How about a place to curl up and read a book or catch up on the news on your tablet?
Add a Pet Lounge
Your pooch needs a place to lounge too, corralled or not, that space under the stairs is a perfect small space for their use.
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Install a Home Office
You don’t need more than a few square feet to create a home office so look to that triangular niche as a place to create one in your home.
Add a Beverage Center
Ideal for basement levels, the little niche under the stairs is a great spot for a mini kitchen or wet bar so guests avoid a trip upstairs for a beverage.
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Clever solutions, aren’t they?
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I loooooove these! Wish we could customize the space under our stairs, but we would be knocking into the basement stairwell at that point. Boo. :(
What great ideas! We have a pretty good bookshelf going on but now I am thinking of so much more.
I love the bar and the seating area!
I had my under the stair area in the mud room turned into a dog retreat. You should stop on over and check it out. search under “Dog Decor”
My girls love it, and it provides a nice secure place for them when people are coming in and out of the house.
I don’t have stairs in my flat… but I adore the idea of a reading nook or pet lounge in that space! Or maybe a combination of the two… :)
The doggy dens crack me up. When I was a kid our Irish setter slept in a big rectangular moving box with a hole cut on the end, padding on the floor, & lots of blankets. She LOVED it. Maybe the enclosed dens invoke the ancient memory of caves in Spot and Rover.
So many great ideas it makes me (almost) want to have a staircase. But I do love my 1 story ranch. Nice inspiration though!
Hi Kate, I love your blog. Just wanted to let you know that recently I’ve been having difficulties reading your posts. Sometimes it would take forever to load, other times it would be an empty page after loading. Just to get to your page today took many tries. I don’t know if I am the only one, and it never happened before. Anyway, your blog is a daily read, and I love everything that you do. Keep up the great work!
Thank you Helen, you’re not alone! I’m in the middle of a server switch and blog makeover, it’s happening all week, my apologies for any inconvenience, everything should be back to normal next week!
Kate
Great ideas. Will keep for inspiration. Thank you!
I love all of these. It’s such a great space that is an afterthought for so many. We have an office space under our stairs (though not as nice, yet, as the one in the picture as we’re still renovating our home) and it always takes new visitors by surprise. Over here many have an extra toilet under the stairs since houses are generally smaller.
What wonderful solutions!!! Some I wouldn’t have even thought of, but great ways to utilize all the space you are given :)
Lauren Baxter | Lovely Decor
xx