The best staircase ideas usually come complete with under stairs storage elements covered. From practical and affordable shelving options to incredibly indulgent, temperature-controlled wine cellars, you’ll never just chuck stuff under the stairs again.
‘Typically one of the first things we see when entering our homes, stairs can be the perfect place to create unique solutions that will help to maintain a pristine hallway and be sure to impress guests.’, says Rachal Hutcheson, retail area sales manager at Sharps.
But while we often pay attention to things hallway ideas that we can instantly see, the saying goes: ‘it’s the inside that counts’, so look beyond banisters and staircase runners because the beauty of your stairs runs much deeper… Inside the crevices of your stairs to be exact.
1. Creat a space-efficient home office
‘For those looking to make the most of every inch of space in their home, the humble staircase is often an underutilized area,’ says Hutcheson.
‘If an additional workspace would be beneficial consider creating a dedicated desk area. Incorporating plenty of storage, drawers and shelving will keep files organized without needing to hide them away.’
‘Accessorizing with a selection of personal trinkets, photos and plants will ensure the space remains stylish when not in use and most importantly doesn’t feel too corporate to be part of your home decor.’
2. Add a boot room style bench for brisk country walks
If you haven’t been blessed with a big country home with a large space to create a dedicated boot room design, your dreams don’t have to go down the drain!
This cute and contemporary farmhouse idea with a bench and coat hook idea is part of an under the stairs project by Humphey Munson. Lift up the seat to uncover lots of space to hide away footwear, sports equipment and anything else you’ll want to grab before heading outside for some fresh air.
So whether your kids need to burn off some energy, or if the dog needs a walk, you can fill this bench-cum-storage-box with leads, treats and all sorts of other goodies.
3. Create a temperature-controlled wine cellar
‘When we first met with the client on an under the stairs wine cellar project, her main goal was to store as many bottles as possible in an under-the-stair climate controlled wine cellar,’ says Krisanna Sanders, licensed general contractor of Recast Homes in Portland, Oregon.
‘An avid wine lover, she knew the importance of proper storage for her ever-expanding library of wines. With maximization in mind, I saw the opportunity to bump the space out beyond under the stairs to allow a “walk-in” room rather than just a closet. Doing this allowed more vertical storage and brought the total bottle count near 600,’
‘I learned SO much on this project – especially about R-value (the insulating property of materials) and how it’s impacted with every decision. We had to make sure to get the highest R-value glass because I wasn’t willing to compromise that design element,’
‘Making the room with the highest R-value materials possible was important to be able to properly regulate the temperature and humidity once the cooling system was installed – keeping that wine oh-so-fresh.’
4. Shoo away your untidy hallway with shoe storage
Mules, flip-flops, sandals, sneakers and more. It’s hardly surprising that our shoe collection can build up quite quickly… So when you’re dealing with a flummox of family footwear, consider adding the best shoe storage ideas to the dead space under the stairs.
Choose vertical solutions that slip onto the back of a door, with many affordable DIY options from IKEA and the like to make those stairs work extra hard. Mounting hooks to hang your outerwear means there’s no excuse for little ones dropping their coats on the floor as you can lower the hook for little hands to reach up high.
If you really want to maximize your wall storage, consider mounting a door front on hinges and add some hooks for shoes. Place a mirror behind it for quick outfit checks before heading out to do your errands or go to special events.
5. File away flimsy papers and important documents
‘Perfectly sized storage items like baskets, trolleys and shelves can give you extra space for supplies and paperwork if you don’t have an office in your home, ‘ says Emma Parkinson, interior designer, IKEA.
‘For a more seamless look, try keeping them all within the same color scheme.’
This blue and grey hallway idea is certainly a calming combo whether you’re trying to file taxes or a student trying to cram in that last bit of revision before an exam.
6. Create a storage idea centered around the kitchen
Designed for a project by architect Simon Whitehead, this under the stairs storage idea is centered around one of the family hubs of the home. If you’re looking for ideas for kitchen decor, look no further than this sleek cabinet design.
Here, teens can help set the table, knowing where the crockery, cutlery and condiments are. Recreate your own version of this metro handpainted matt lacquer under stair storage unit by using Farrow & Ball’s paint in shade Ammonite.
Though this hue is named after the fossils found along the coast, it’s a trendy shade that creates a hushed and calming feel – perfect for chaotic dinner times!
7. Create a custom breakfast bar
Create a chic breakfast bar space that feels like you’ve woken up in a 5-star setup for a modern approach to your under stairs space.
Making an ideal spot where you can store bread, croissants and hot beverage items, ready to start the day right. And, if smoothies are your thing, you can close the door to muffle the noise of your fruity drink whizzing away, while other members of your family are still sleeping.
8. Build under stair storage closets
Even modest sized homes have decent under stair storage space. Make the most of yours by putting in a central door to create a spacious small closet idea for large items (or lots of small ones); a door beneath the bottom steps for seldom used items; and use leftover space for a shelved-out niche, like the one below.
9. Squeeze in a downstairs cloakroom
A downstairs cloakroom idea is a great under stair storage idea, as it is a must-have for many potential house buyers, and a valuable asset in a family home, especially if you’ve got small children who’ve returned home from a long car journey.
If you’re tight on space, it makes most sense to put the loo beneath the sloping ceiling, and to fit a sliding door rather than one that opens out into an already squeezed hallway. A corner sink is a space-efficient solution for hand-washing, as are floating shelves to hold liquid soap and hand lotion.
10. Keep everything to hand with open storage
If you want to create an impression of space in a small hallway design, keeping the cavity under the stairs open is a good option. Then, it’s just a case of fitting shelves and investing in stackable storage to fill the space in a bespoke way. Choose a simple color scheme for the boxes to make the space look as neat as possible. Take inspiration from Ikea’s clever de-cluttering with the Sortera range.
11. More storage needed? Make it modular
The under stair area is just asking for shoe storage! After all, most staircases are usually close to the front door, so it makes sense to buy clever hallway shoe storage to keep the space neat. Modular storage means that you can keep building space for your new purchases… especially if they’re on sale right?
12. Cool and compartmentalized looks
If you like more of a rustic vibe in your hallway, a welly box needn’t just be used for your Hunter boots. This shoe unit from Cox & Cox has a combination of tall and short compartments means there’s room for wellies and knee-high boots as well as shoes. It makes the perfect hallway shoe storage idea.
13. Add a stylish sideboard under the stairs
Not all under stair storage ideas have to be fitted. If you can squeeze a freestanding side board under your stairs, then this will add a bit of extra storage, plus a surface area for you to decorate to your heart’s content. The Ikea Hemnes side board/shoe cabinet, is a favorite among small hallway owners as it’s super slimline being only 30cm deep, so it’s sure to slide under most staircases.
14. Create storage drawers under the stairs
Who knew steps could become drawers? If you’re really squeezed for space, this neat under stair storage idea utilises the space inside the staircase itself. Useful for storing shoes, paperwork, the dog’s lead…
15. A traditional and slight hidden home office
For those who like a bit of privacy when working from home, but do not have a separate study or home office, a bespoke under stair study space is a great under stair storage idea. But, contrary to the home workspaces you’ve already seen, these don’t have to be modern and contemporary – especially if you’ve got a historic home and want to respect the existing architecture.