Wondering how to use the space under the stairs in your home? With a little creativity, this compact (and sometimes awkwardly shaped) area can be transformed into a functional living or storage space you’ll love! From pantries to libraries, check out this list of unique staircase storage ideas that will inspire your next home improvement project!
Store Your Books in a Mini Library
Install a few shelves or cabinets, fill them with your favorite novels, and turn that awkward space under the stairs into a gorgeous small home library! This area provides a perfect book storage solution without having to add extra furniture to other rooms. You can also store magazines, photo albums, and board games here!
Create a Kids Playroom
Turn an open space under stairs into a children’s playroom. Not only does this make a fun hideout spot for your little ones, but you can store books, games, and toys in this space to keep everything neatly tucked away.
Install Sliding Stair Drawers for Hidden Storage
Sliding drawers are an easy and compact way to maximize staircase storage space that would otherwise go to waste. They also provide a way to hide unsightly items, making them great for smaller homes that may not have enough closet space.
Design a Cozy Reading Nook
If you can’t fit a reading nook in a small living room or bedroom, you can make one under the stairs. Simply add comfy cushions and good lighting, and you’ll have a space you’ll never want to leave! If you have enough room, build a bench. That way, you have a place to sit and book storage.
Make a Phone Booth & Charging Station
Need a private space in your home to take phone calls? Turn the area under the stairs into a personal phone booth for calls. If you don’t have a landline phone, this area can be used as your home’s designated charging station for smartphones, smart watches, and other electronic devices.
Create More Kitchen Pantry Space
Do you have limited kitchen storage? One amazing way to utilize storage under the stairs is to create a staircase pantry. With a few floating shelves, rolling drawers, and clear storage containers, you can store dry goods of all shapes and sizes!
Expand Your Kitchen Cabinet
Here’s a cupboard under the stairs storage idea you don’t want to miss! Instead of turning a space under the stairs into an additional pantry, you can use it to store your dishes, silverware, and serving trays!
Design Your Dream Wine Room
You don’t need a large cellar in your house to store your wine collection. Turn that under stairs space into a wine room that can both store and display your bottles. With a little work, this space can have the visual appeal of a major renovation for a fraction of the cost. Check out these ideas from The Decoist on how to style your staircase wine room!
Build a Wet Bar
When you turn that under stairs storage space into a bar, every hour is happy hour! All you need for an under stairs bar is a countertop for mixing and serving drinks, cabinet space for storing spirits, and a mini fridge. Bonus points if you can hook up plumbing for a sink!
Put Together a Coat Closet
If you have limited closet space throughout your home, the space under the stairs can be a great spot for a coat closet. All you need are a few shelves, rods, hangers, and hooks to store umbrellas, hats, scarfs, bags, and other accessories. You can even add a door to conceal the space!
Make an Under Stairs Bathroom
Another way to utilize extra space under your stairs is by adding a small bathroom! This can be a great addition to the first level of your home, especially if you entertain a lot of guests. If that’s not an option, you can always go the less expensive route and create a small powder room.
Build a DIY Mudroom
Are you missing an entryway or drop zone in your home? With a small bench and storage cubbies, you can turn your staircase storage space into a miniature mudroom! This idea is an excellent option for storing backpacks, coats, umbrellas, and shoes.
Set Up a Custom Storage Room
The area under your stairs can be challenging to fully maximize because it’s such an awkward shape. But with some creative organization and the help of storage containers, you can turn that odd space into a storage room for linens, holiday decorations, sporting equipment, and seasonal clothing.
Create a Small Office
Instead of using that extra bedroom for a workspace, consider turning the space under the stairs into a compact office. No matter the size of your space, you can create a custom office area that will feel like a private workstation. Add a few shelves above your desk to store papers, files, and other office items!
Design a Linen Closet
Do you have limited closet space in your home? With a few shelves, you can turn that staircase space into a linen closet to store additional sheets, blankets, and pillowcases. You can also store beach towels, washcloths, and guest towels so you don’t have to sacrifice any of your bedroom closet space or bathroom cabinet space.
Make a Small Pet Room
Even our pets need a cozy space where they can hide or take a snooze. So why not turn the space under the stairs into a mini home for your pet? All you need is a pet bed, pet toys, pet food dishes, and a door or gate. Check out this great staircase pet room idea for hiding a litter box from Design Sponge.
Keep Bikes Out of View
Hang your bikes under the stairs and free up floor and wall space in your home! You can also put up hooks on the wall for helmets, water bottles, a tire pump, and other biking equipment you need to store.
With these unique under stairs storage ideas, you can maximize all the space in your home with style. No matter what you need to store, you can make this often overlooked and underutilized space work for you! Looking for other ways to efficiently use small spaces in your home?
