How to use the space under the stairs?

Service Description

How to use the space under the stairs?

As a part of the house at least with ground floor and attic, regardless of the chosen technical solution, there must be a staircase to the upper floor and to the attic, as appropriate. Obviously that this element to facilitate the access will be provided to each new level added to the building. Depending on the type and location of these stairs in the house context, we can have different situations, either a positioning in a hallway bigger or smaller or in the living room or in other areas.

As in the most cases are the hallways crossing and the required space for building the staircase is significant, the question which arises is what to do with the space under the staircase. Rightly, considering that the required space for the execution of stairs is quite large, the surface under this becomes unusable for traffic but it can be used for other purposes.

These possible uses are quite varied and depend on several factors:

– The size of the space under the staircase (length and height in particular);

– The shape of the staircase and the material from which it is made of;

– The destination of the space and where is located the staircase (hallway, living room, office, etc.);

– The type of the space, closed, open or semi-open space;

– The spatial positioning in the whole house.

Let’s review some ideas and possibilities of using this space, taking into consideration the criteria mentioned above.

In the case of open spaces, with the placement in living areas, it is possible to use the space for placing pieces of furniture, a library or even a place to relax. There can be placed two easy chairs and a table plus a floor lamp if the area is slightly out of daylight access. Also, the furniture for this area can be minimalist or not, with reference to the rest room size. We can use the space also for placing various electronic equipment (audio – video – TV) or why not to create a corner for your pet if you have such a company.

If the space of the living room is sufficiently large, the area under the staircase can be arranged as a small place to work, a mini office with all facilities, a table with a laptop and adapted furniture will be suited with the rest room.

For a location in the entrance hallway we have the option of arranging the space for shoes and clothing storage with a hanger for routinely used clothes.

It should be avoid using the space under the stairs for arranging food preparation areas, kitchens requiring larger spaces, storage areas for dishes and specific items plus large and small appliances. In the same idea, it is limited also the use of appliances related to the activity of storage and the clothes washing. It could be an acceptable option only if the hallway where the staircase is placed is quite less exposed or if you can make pieces of furniture which ensure masking. In addition, it is necessary the easy access to the installation of electricity, water providing and sewage.

For the hallways, a very widespread use is  for storage of the currently used  or less used various things or less. A mini dressing room, storage spaces for appliances (for example vacuum cleaner), toys or other objects are common options. Another possibility of using the space is storing some foods or drinks that do not require special temperature conditions.

The items of furniture that are used in planning space can be simple or complicated, for example we can make areas with generous doors on the high part under the stair, drawers underneath and for more special projects, we can arrange one drawer in the space of under each stair (using the height of the counter-step). All depends on imagination, the craftsmanship of contractor’s work and the customer’s desire.

For the projects which include a fireplace in the living room, the space under the stairs can be a very good option for the location of it, integrating it into the space by an adapted design, rustic, modern or otherwise.

Taking into consideration all these aspects, it is recommended to keep in mind considering the space under the staircase since the designing phase, which will help us to optimize the project and to receive the maximizing space utilization as intended.

To conclude, the space under the staircase can be used for arranging of functional area and also for decorative purposes, whatever is the chosen solution, it must fit in the house design and satisfy the customer demands.