With countless DIY and home improvement projects out there, maximizing your potential storage space has never been easier.
Are you looking to transform the empty space under your staircase into something more resourceful and practical? Well, look no further than these ingenious ideas.
Here, you’re missing out on utilizing some crucial and potential storage space that is being squandered. This is especially true for smaller homes – you can never have too much storage!
Although, before you start making the most out of your under-stair space, you need to consider what design you’re going to choose.
Depending on the layout of your home, the space under your stairs can host a variety of different options. From utility cupboards to understairs bathrooms, the possibilities are endless.
With this in mind, this article will explore how to design storage stairs for your tiny home, with many ways to make the most out of your space. Let’s get started.
1. Understairs Bathroom
If you’re looking for a practical way to make the most out of your limited space, then a bathroom is a great way to do so.
Not only does it provide you with an additional ground-floor bathroom, but it can be great for guests, the elderly, or disabled relatives who struggle climbing stairs.
Likewise, if you have a large family, then you can’t go wrong with another bathroom in the house – especially on work/ school mornings!
Moreover, adding a bathroom under your stairs (provided that it applies to the building regulations) could potentially increase your property value by an average of 5%.
This is great information if you’re looking to sell your house in the future. While it may be a small contribution, it does make more a convenient addition to your home.
This should be an easy enough project for intermediate DIYers; however, you may need a professional for plumbing and electrical work.
2. Under Stairs Pantry/ Larder
Creating a pantry or larder in the space under the stairs will not only free up precious space in your kitchen but provides you with much more space than your average kitchen cupboard.
Plus, you have complete freedom in how you design and stock your pantry!
While the terms pantry and larder are generally used interchangeably these days, they were once considered two separate rooms.
For instance, a larder would be used to store meats, this would typically be in a cellar/basement, within a controlled cool temperature. Here, the meats would be kept in vats of lard, hence the name larder.
Whereas the pantry is a much more versatile storage option, used for all manner of foods, whether this includes perishable or non-perishable foods including vegetables, bread, fruits, cereal, canned goods, rice, pasta, and many more.
Transforming your understairs space into a pantry or larder will provide you with much more freedom in how you use your kitchen.
However, you should make sure to keep in consideration the layout of your house when designing a pantry for storage.
For instance, if your stairs are nowhere near the kitchen, then this wouldn’t be the best option for you.
3. Under The Stairs Utility/Laundry Room
Generally, most new homes include some sort of utility room – a room that is typically by (or integrated into) the kitchen – where you would find your laundry appliances and accessories including a tumble dryer and washing machine, detergents, ironing boards, clothespins, etc.
Likewise, some even have enough space to store your home boulder and other appliances such as a fridge-freeze.
Although, if you have a smaller house, you may not have a room dedicated to your utilities.
Therefore, converting your unused under-stair space is your next best option to achieving this – trust us, it will make all the difference.
Here, you can add a couple of shelves to home your fabric softeners and detergents, as well as a few hooks to store your ironing board, and even some curtains or doors to hide it all away (if you choose to).
With minimal effort, you’ll be rewarded with a fully functional; albeit, small, utility room!
4. Under The Stairs Cupboard
While this is probably the simplest option to design your storage stairs, it is incredibly versatile and multi-purpose.
Not only does it provide you with some additional space, but you’ll have a practical, well-organized, and stylish cupboard for all your storage needs.
The best part? They are super simple to make, you could even do it yourself. With a few pieces of wood, a couple of nails, and a hammer, you’ll have these cupboards up and running in no time – test out your DIY skills!
As you can see, there are many different options when it comes to under-stair cupboards.
With different styles, designs, and functions. Therefore, depending on your needs will help you choose the right option for you.
5. Drawers/Shelving Under The Stairs
While the differences between drawers/ shelves and cupboards can be considered very minimal, there are, in fact, a few notable differences between the two storage options.
Cupboards potentially contain (and usually do) drawers and shelving within them; although, these are hidden by a door.
However, over the years, open shelving has become an increasingly popular storage design, especially if you’re looking to display particular products, rather than hiding them behind doors.
Likewise, multiple drawers can be extremely beneficial depending on what you’re looking to store within them.
Final Thoughts
You can never have too much storage in your home. One area which is often overlooked is the underneath-the-stairs storage space.
Here, you have a considerable amount of space that is generally not used! Therefore, one way to make the most out of this space is with storage stairs.
Hopefully, this guide has informed you of all the different design choices when it comes to storage stairs.
Hi, my name is Joel Adams and I like to think of myself as a professional DIYer. Whatever odd jobs a person needs to be done around the house, I’m their guy.
I’m talking shelves, making sideboards and tables, painting feature walls… the list is neverending!
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