The right under stairs ideas can turn an often forgotten space into a useful, well integrated part of your home. Low on one side and taller on the other, this nook easily ends up as the place where the hoover, boxes and everything without a proper home get parked.
With the right approach, though, it can take on a clear purpose and become part of the furniture. Here is how to make the most of it.
Under stairs ideas for indoors: from storage to home office
Before choosing furniture, measure the space carefully. The height changes along the staircase, so note down the maximum height, minimum height and depth: the tall end fits tall units, bookcases or a desk, while the low end suits drawers and storage boxes.
Then decide what it is for: storage or living space? Storage calls for closed, made to measure solutions, while a corner you use every day needs open, well lit furniture. Where the stairs are matters too: in the hallway they suggest shoes and coats, in the living room books or the TV.
Here are some under stairs ideas that waste not a single centimetre.
Storage cupboard with shelves and drawers
The most popular option is still under stairs storage: shelves in the tall section for boxes and things you rarely use, pull out drawers in the low section, where bending down is awkward. A chest of drawers in the lowest spot makes use of every last centimetre. If the space tends to collect clutter, it may help to declutter before you organise it.
Shoe cabinet and coat storage
If the stairs start in the hallway, the space underneath is the natural home for shoes and coats: a slim shoe cabinet, a few wall hooks and a shelf for keys are handy ideas for furnishing a small entryway without cluttering it.
Pantry
With a small kitchen, the space under the stairs near the living area can become a pantry for supplies and small appliances. Shallow shelves, baskets and labels help you find everything.
Laundry corner
If there is plumbing nearby, the washing machine can go under the stairs, perhaps with the tumble dryer stacked on top. Add a shelf for detergents, a laundry basket and doors or a curtain to hide it all.
Toy storage for kids
Low storage boxes on wheels, soft baskets and shelves at child height, so little ones can tidy up on their own. Add a rug and a couple of cushions and it becomes a play den too, and when the doorbell rings the building bricks vanish in seconds.
Bookcase and reading nook
A bookcase that follows the slope of the stairs, with shelves that get shorter towards the bottom, turns the space into a feature wall. Add an armchair and a reading lamp and your reading nook is ready: an idea that also works well for decorating a dead corner and giving it a purpose.
Home office nook
The tallest part often has room for a workspace. A wall mounted desk keeps the floor clear and suits shallow depths: for a computer, choose a top wide enough to hold the screen and accessories comfortably. It is a simple way to create a home office corner even without a dedicated room.
Wine storage
If the space is cool, out of direct light and away from heat sources or vibrations, it can host a small wine store. Bottles with cork stoppers should be stored horizontally on shelves or wall mounted wine racks. Add a high table and two bar stools and you have a proper home bar corner.
Green corner with plants
With a bit of natural light, tall plants in the widest part and smaller pots on shelves arranged in steps create a small indoor garden. If light is scarce, go for shade tolerant species such as pothos or snake plant.
What are some clever ideas for closing off the space under the stairs?
Indoors you can close off the space with flush doors and push to open fronts, perfect when you want it to almost disappear. If there is little room in front, consider sliding doors; to create a proper storage room, you can box in the space with plasterboard and add a door.
The best option depends on how deep the space is and how often you need to reach what is inside.
How to furnish an open under stairs space
Leaving the space open makes the room feel lighter, as long as you keep it tidy: anything on display becomes part of the decor. Alternate objects and empty space, avoid filling every centimetre and use matching boxes for small items.
The wall under the staircase can do its bit too: a mini gallery of prints, a bold wallpaper or a contrasting colour turns it into a focal point, while a mirror opens up the perspective. To dress up the staircase itself, a few vases on alternate steps or a contrasting handrail are all you need.
Modern under stairs design: materials and finishes
Modern under stairs ideas are mostly about consistency between materials, colours and volumes. Oak and wood effect finishes warm up the room, while glass and black metal make the composition look lighter. A stepped bookcase or a lacquered niche in the same colour as the staircase is often enough to make the space look designed rather than improvised.
To finish the under stairs wall you can use paint, wallpaper or wood effect panels, choosing a finish that flows with the staircase and the furniture around it. If the space is short on light, avoid very dark surfaces across the whole area: use them as an accent and balance them with lighter finishes.
How to light the space under the stairs
It is almost always the darkest corner of the house. LED strips under the shelves or along the staircase add light without taking up space, adjustable spotlights show off bookcases and storage, while working and reading need direct light on the surface. Warm light for relaxing areas, neutral where you work. The same tricks can help you brighten a dark room without weighing it down.
