Owners of private cottages and duplex apartments often think about the rational use of the space under the stairs. This is especially true in the case of a large number of people living in the house, when each span counts. In this material we have collected the best ideas for arranging the space under the stairs. Photo options clearly demonstrate that this can be done stylishly and tastefully.
When choosing a specific method of organizing a site under a flight of stairs, the purpose of the room in which it is located should be taken into account. For the living room, bedroom, kitchen, hallway options will be different. Another important factor is the ability to conduct communications to the place. With the initial design of the dwelling, it is easier to plan the future purpose of the space under the stairs than after the construction is completed. In addition, the width and height of the flight of stairs affect the choice of arrangement. You need to understand if there is enough space only for a small closet or you can organize a full-fledged room.
Storage system or dressing room
One of the most popular options for arranging the space under the stairs is the organization of the storage system. On many shelves you can arrange seasonal clothes and shoes, bags and suitcases, blankets, tools, etc. Each item will have its own place, which will help to maintain order and not waste time searching.
You can install the cabinet directly under the flight of stairs or arrange drawers in the steps themselves. In the first case, classic swing or sliding doors are used. To make the cabinet less visible, the facade is masked by matching the walls or tiled with mirrors. The latter method will make the room's space more open, and the staircase almost “weightless”.
If the steps to the second floor are in the bedroom, you can organize a full wardrobe room under them. There is a place for all clothes and accessories in it, which will allow you to abandon dimensional cabinets and save living space.
Open bookcase or shelves for small items and books
The space under the stairs in the living room can be used to place an open rack or shelves for storing little things and books that are dear to the heart. An exhibition of travel souvenirs, a collection of statuettes and dolls, family photographs will decorate the living room and demonstrate the hobbies of the owners.
Shelves and shelves are usually not deep, so the remaining space under the stairs can be activated by installing drawers on the steps. Thus, the volume will be used to the maximum benefit.
You can collect not only trinkets; lovers of good alcohol can use the free space under the flight of stairs to organize a winery. However, it should be borne in mind that wines require special storage conditions, therefore, to maintain the optimal level of humidity and temperature, special equipment and glass doors should be installed. This way of using the space under the stairs in the house can be considered not only rational, but also decorative.
Mini library or lounge area
Book lovers will like the idea of organizing a small library under the stairs. On the shelves there is a place for a collection of books, and a soft armchair or couch will make a home-like corner. However, it should be borne in mind that the height of the march should be sufficient for a seated person, because reading, bent over in three deaths, is not only inconvenient, but also harmful. In addition, it is important to take care of good lighting so as not to spoil your eyesight. The space under the stairs is usually darkened, unless the structure is through and located directly at the window.
The library can be combined with a place of rest. A secluded corner will allow you to escape from daytime worries. For the lounge area in the house, the choice of color scheme, lighting and furniture, which will contribute to relaxation and rest, is important. A cozy chair with a blanket, a scattering of pillows, an aquarium, LED lighting - all this will make the atmosphere calm and easy. You can enhance the effect of privacy and coziness with the help of textile curtains.
Workplace or workshop
Can't decide how to arrange the space under the stairs? Organize a workplace there. Under the steps there is enough space for a medium-sized table, a small cabinet and a pair of paper shelves. Do not forget to take care of good lighting. For the workplace, a table lamp with a flexible leg is suitable so that you can adjust the distance to the illuminated surface. High-quality models made of durable plastic or metal look great in the interior. Preference should be given to LED lamps, so they do not heat up and do not flicker. You will not get burned by accidentally touching it with your hand, and your eyes will not get tired of the stroboscopic effect.
The space under the stairs in the needlewoman’s house can be used to organize a workshop. A table, a small rack for materials, a magnetic board for ideas and a sewing machine - there is a place for everything. It is better to make lamps in the workshop built-in or to use rotary spotlights. They emit a bright beam of light, the direction of which is easy to adjust. However, keep in mind safety, install the lighting so as not to touch the lamps during operation.
Entrance hall or storage area for bicycles and strollers
If the staircase to the second floor is located directly next to the front door, then under it you can arrange a full entrance hall with hangers, a chest of drawers and even a bench for comfortable dressing of shoes. The cabinet can be made open or with sliding mirrored doors to visually increase the space. It is also worth adopting a retractable system, it will make full use of the depth of space under the steps, and it will be more convenient to get things out.
Under the stairs you can arrange a "garage" for bicycles, scooters and prams. Such large items often interfere with comfortable movement around the house, so a specially organized place will be very helpful. Modern mounts allow you to hang the vehicle on the wall or even the ceiling. The bicycle will not fall at night, waking the whole house, and this solution looks original. For strollers and other children’s vehicles, you can lay a mat so that snow and dirt do not run down to the floor and spoil the floor.
Game
There are children in your house and you are wondering how to use the space under the stairs? The answer is simple: make a game room there. Children love to hide, and they will like a personal “secret” corner in the house. Soft carpet, bright wallpapers, a scattering of pillows and toys - what else is needed for happiness? Parents need only take care of good ventilation and safe lighting. If space permits, you can install an open toy rack in the room. The main thing is that the baby can independently take and put his things there, this helps to accustom to order.
Use only environmentally friendly materials in the decoration of the game room. When choosing a color scheme, take into account the wishes of the future owner of the game and the influence of shades on the psycho-emotional state of the child. In addition, the decoration and furniture should be cleaned without difficulty, because during the game, anything can happen. Sharp corners should also be avoided so that the child is not injured.
A bathroom
A small bathroom just fits in the space under the stairs in the house (see photo below). Modern manufacturers offer truly miniature models of plumbing, which can be placed even on 1 square. m. The toilet room under the stairs will help save space in another part of the house and use it more efficiently. If the room is spacious enough, you can install a shower in the bathroom.
The main problem when organizing a bathroom under the stairs is the laying of communications. Water, sewage, electricity and a ventilation system should ideally be laid at the design stage of the living space. However, this is not always possible, therefore it is necessary to assess the possibility, feasibility and costs of arranging the bathroom before starting work.
It is important to take care of the sound and heat insulation of the future bathroom. The rooms under the stairs are usually small and dark, therefore, in the decoration should adhere to light shades, and use reflective surfaces: gloss, glass, mirrors. In addition, you need good lighting. The best option would be the built-in lights on the ceiling (necessarily waterproof) and a pair of wall-mounted rotary sconces, if the room has a mirror.
Pantry
Arranging a pantry in the space under the stairs is a common idea. The room is made closed, equipped with longitudinal or transverse sliding shelves, install lighting. It turns out a convenient and functional room for storing kitchen utensils, small household appliances, winter preservation, household supplies and tools, household chemicals. If you plan to use the pantry for fresh fruits and vegetables, you should install a ventilation system and regulate the temperature and humidity conditions. Lamps with an infrared motion sensor will help save energy. The light will turn on as soon as you enter and turn off automatically.
Boiler room
In private houses with an autonomous heating and water heating system, a boiler room is indispensable. Its location is chosen at the design stage of a residential building, and the space under the stairs is perfect for her. The boiler room is equipped in enclosed spaces. The walls of the room should be made of concrete or brick, the finish is made of non-combustible materials: ceramic tiles or mineral plaster, a metal sheet can be put on the floor. In the boiler room, forced ventilation is installed. It will also be useful to take care of noise isolation, so working equipment will interfere with the peace of mind of residents. The main requirement for a room for a boiler room is fire safety.
Laundry
A small laundry room can be arranged in the space under the stairs. A washing and drying machine is usually located below, shelves for detergents and small items are installed above them. An ironing board is better to use a folding, so it will not take up too much space.
It is necessary to carry water, sewage, electricity into the room and install exhaust ventilation. In the decoration, as a rule, light colors are used. This will make the utility room a little more spacious and refresh it. Hinged or folding doors that will hide the functional area from prying eyes will help preserve the aesthetic appearance of the adjacent room. On the sash, you can install small shelves and a laundry basket. The main thing is that the fasteners and door hinges are strong enough for increased loads.
Winter Garden
You are tormented by the question of how to arrange the space under the stairs? Arrange a winter garden there. Such a solution will be especially successful if the flight of stairs passes by the window. The corner of nature fits perfectly into the interior of the living room and helps create a harmonious and pacifying atmosphere. A nice bonus is that plants purify indoor air and produce oxygen. Such a green corner will require increased care. Even if the staircase is near the window, the plants will need extra light. Special phytolamps will help with this. They can be installed between the steps so that they are not visible from the main part of the room. You can complement the home greenhouse with sculptural compositions or an aquarium.
Home for Pet
If the house has animals, the space under the stairs can be used to create a comfortable home for your pet with a play area. For dogs, a spacious lounger and a decorative kennel are suitable, and for cats you can arrange a real game complex with cozy houses, shelves, claws and tunnels. With love, the decorated space is sure to appeal to a furry family member.
Conclusion
In private houses and two-level apartments, the place under the stairs is often empty, but it can be used both for functional purposes and for decorative purposes. We hope that the ideas described in the article will be to your taste, and you will bring one of them to life in your home.