28 Under-Stairs Storage Ideas to Maximize Every Inch of Your Home
Make the most of the space underneath your staircase using these smart design concepts.
An under-the-stairs design can take on a multitude of forms. From shelving, closets, and drawers to mini mudrooms, bar areas, and home offices, there are plenty of options for functional storage. when planning under-stair storage, it's important to consider your home’s layout as well as your needs.
For example, if you’re strapped for space in a nearby kitchen or playroom, it would be beneficial to transform the area into a home for overflowing pantry items or toys. Or, think about styling it as a place to greet guests and display your favorite decor pieces. Regardless of how you choose to set it up or what you decide to store in it, you can rest assured that you’re putting this bonus space to good use. Use the following under-stairs storage ideas as inspiration for your own home.
Related: 18 Basement Stairs Ideas That Add Style and Function
Under-Stair Storage
In an open floor plan, especially if you frequently host visitors, aim to add storage that’s somewhat inconspicuous. A simple angled closet under the stairs can become a hidden home for extra place settings, serveware, and candles for your next dinner party.
Related: 30 Kitchen Storage Ideas to Help You Declutter on a Budget
Drop Zone
At the foot of the stairs near your entryway, create a landing area for daily essentials. Store umbrellas in a stand, slide stools under a console table, and top it with a tray to keep sunglasses, keys, and wallets accessible on busy days.
Related: Small Entryway Storage Ideas to Meet All Your Drop Zone Needs
Mini Mudroom
Perhaps you have a bit more space to work with under an entryway staircase. Design a small mudroom to accommodate jackets, shoes, bags, and anything else you need handy on a daily basis. Include cubbies for baskets, hooks for hanging items, and a bench that doubles as storage and seating.
Related: 6 Smart Mudroom Ideas That Maximize Storage
Incorporate Kitchen Storage
Make the small space at the base of a staircase a place to both store and uplift your spirits. A home bar, whether on the main level or in the basement, can keep liquor bottles, mixers, and glassware organized plus give you an excuse to treat yourself to a nightcap without leaving the house. Here, adding a partial wall next to the stairs allowed for another workstation in the kitchen. This stretch of cabinets houses an at-home wet bar with a sink, drawer storage, and extra prep and serving surfaces.
Related: 10 Basement Bar Ideas for Every Budget
Functional Furniture
Make use of corner space around staircases by incorporating functional storage pieces that might not fit elsewhere in the room. A credenza can offer hidden storage for items like extra dishes or blankets and provide a tabletop surface for displaying favorite accessories. Choose a slim design that won't interfere with the flow of traffic.
No Space Wasted
Look to nooks and crannies (like the open space underneath stairs) for extra storage. These built-in shelves, which hold kids' toys and books, are angled and graduated to fit neatly beneath the staircase. Thick trim around the opening gives the alcove a finished look.
Related: 26 Kids' Storage Ideas to Control Clutter
Holiday Stow Away
While it might be a stretch to store your seasonal decor under the stairs, you can certainly use closed cabinets to hold select pieces. It could be used for fragile items, such as Christmas china, or overlooked items that you find around the house long after a holiday has passed. Sticking them in this designated spot gives them a temporary home and prevents multiple trips up to the attic or wherever the rest of the decorations are put away.
Add a Drawer Wall
Open shelves aren't the only option for below-stairs built-ins. Sometimes closed storage, like this wall of drawers, works best for stashing items like table linens, candles, and serving platters out of view. Custom-sized drawers take advantage of every inch of space beneath this staircase. Recessed-panel fronts and shiny glass knobs give the unconventional configuration a traditional appeal.
Welcome Entry Addition
With spots for storage, display, and seating, this previously underutilized alcove near a staircase is now an inviting entryway area. An upholstered bench provides a cozy spot to kick off shoes, while drawers below offer convenient storage for seasonal outerwear and other gear. Shelves installed in a secondary niche showcase favorite accessories to add personality.
Display Case
Give Lego creations, school art projects, and sentimental toys a proper place to be admired. If the base of the stairs leads into a play area, use open cubbies to arrange the kid’s things that should be looked at but not necessarily touched.
Built-Ins at the Base
A small stretch of wall at the base of a staircase is an ideal spot to incorporate extra storage. Consider upgrading this blank space by adding built-in shelves and cabinets. Corral small items in baskets and other containers to keep the shelves looking tidy.
Related: How to Install DIY Built-In Bookshelves
Recycling Center
Lacking space in the kitchen to collect recyclables? Roll a utility cart with a couple of totes into a small closet at the base of nearby stairs to sort paper from plastic. Once they’re full, run the items out to the curb for pickup day and return the bags under the stairs.
Related: 18 Recycling Storage Ideas That Make Going Green Easier Than Ever
Accessory Accommodation
Drawers that glide out from under the stairs are the perfect place to organize winter gear year-round. Neatly fold scarves, sort hats by type or family member, and match up gloves before tucking them into the drawers. This way, they don’t need to clutter up a closet and can be easily reachable when the weather turns chilly.
Custom Stair Solution
Creative customizations can turn an awkward space around a staircase into a handy storage hub. Here, a built-in sofa tucks neatly next to the stairs to make clever use of tight quarters. Above it, shelves hold a collection of books and knickknacks and provide display space for other decorative accessories on top.
Reading Alcove
Underneath the stairs is an ideal spot to include a built-in bookcase and accompanying seating area. Not only does the shelving lend plenty of space to display books, photos, and sentimental decor, it also provides a cozy spot to curl up and relax.
Try Open Storage
Open stairs expose even more storage opportunities. This staircase's steep design allowed the homeowners to annex a nearby wall for additional storage. The bookcase-like unit is equipped with adjustable shelves to display artworks, collections, and souvenirs.
Smart Landing Spot
Stair landings and nooks created by upward-turning staircases can supply ample storage space. Consider using this area to set up a mini home office. Providing cabinets, drawers, and display shelves, this hutch and desk combination turns a small alcove into a practical work zone.
Clever Cabinets
Double-door cabinets built into the under-stair area maximize this staircase's functionality. Wavy glass adds eye-catching texture to upper cabinet doors, while beaded-board doors on the lower cabinets reference the home's wood-clad ceilings. Glass knobs provide vintage style and shine.
Expand Your Library
If you have more books than places to stow them, it's time for some outside-the-bookshelf thinking. These cased shelves make use of under-staircase space to house favorite volumes. If you're thinking of creating similar shelving, measure the height and width of your largest books to ensure the shelves are the proper depth and suitably spaced.
Creative Construction
The area below the stairs can be converted into storage space for any room or hobby. Here, tempered glass walls, an entry door, and wall-mounted wine racks fashion a wine cellar beneath a modern staircase situated near the kitchen.
Bonus Space
When kitchen or pantry space is limited, try using a close by staircase to alleviate some of the excess clutter. Cabinets with pull-out drawers built into the stairs can conveniently store backstock snacks and small appliances that are put to work periodically. This staircase wall accommodates angled cabinets that increase in height along with the climbing steps. Pullout inserts amp up efficiency, while the cabinets' slab doors, ebony finish, and sleek chrome pulls contribute contemporary style.
Related: Creative Kitchen Storage Ideas
Store-Bought Stair Solutions
Not all under-the-stair storage ideas require a major remodel. Incorporate bookshelves at increasing heights to utilize wall space under stairs, then use them to organize books, art supplies, toys, and other media items. For a cohesive look, paint the furniture pieces the same color.
Create Kid Storage
This stairway houses a themed playroom that keeps kids' toys, furniture, and art gear outside family living areas. Although the angled ceiling may be too short for adults, it's the perfect height for kids. If you’re crafty, consider transforming the space under the stairs into a fun playhouse or hideout. Tap into their passions or hobbies for inspiration and design an area where they can stash their beloved belongings and let their creativity shine. Here, a fire station facade with miniature sconces and windows invites little ones to come in and play.
Related: Our Best Playroom Ideas
Carve Out a Family Center
Staircase recesses and a storage-packed wall partner to create an all-inclusive mudroom. Cabinet doors equipped with bin pulls and chalkboard fronts bearing family member names stack up across from locker-room-style cubbies, which feature bench seats and shelves. By opening the lower section of the staircase wall, these homeowners gained space for setting shopping totes near the home's primary exit.
Double-Duty Storage and Display
A narrow stretch of shelves is all you need to make use of the empty space beneath a staircase. These homeowners reached under the steps to carve out a nook for open shelves, which provide storage (and a showcase) for collections and books. A basket on the lowest shelf helps keep smaller items contained.
Hidden Home Office
Working from home has its fair share of advantages but, unfortunately, the temptation for distractions isn’t one of them. Carve out a cloffice under the basement stairs to set up shop away from others in the house to avoid interruptions. Double staircases provided these homeowners with enough square footage to tuck in an office. The desktop and storage shelves nestle against the far wall beneath the sloping ceiling. An office chair moves back and forth between the office and living room as needed. Folding doors close to hide the work area and messy in-process projects.
Stair-Stepped Storage
Ledges jutting outward from a wall expand display space in a gallerylike stairwell. Capped and trimmed with decorative molding, the projections provide surfaces for displaying modern sculptures. You could also place small baskets on each ledge to corral miscellaneous items to be put away later.
Opt for Narrow Storage
When space around a staircase is limited, opt for shallow cabinets that don't intrude into walkways. These built-out cabinets project only a few inches into the room. Extra pantry staples and snacks are stored behind closed doors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have a toilet under a staircase?
Although it’s not the first place you’d think of when building a powder room or guest bathroom, it is certainly possible to have a toilet under-stairs. Talk to your contractor about it to make sure the space is proper to install pipes, a toilet, and a sink—the bare necessities—and since it’s most likely there will be no windows or natural light under a staircase, you need to ensure adequate ventilation. An extractor or fan is a must, this way you’ll be reducing any extra moisture or condensation that may lead to mold or other issues.
How hard is it to knock out wall under stairs?
In most cases, these walls serve no structural purposes, as in, there are no columns or any significant weight on them holding the stairs, making it easier to remove or knock them down if you want to create an open space. However, if there are any electrical boxes, a boiler, or other delicate features, you must check with your contractor first to avoid structural or electrical problems down the road.
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