11 creative ideas to make the most of the space under the stairs

Nowadays, houses and apartments are getting smaller and smaller and, in order to have a pleasant place to live, it is necessary to take advantage of all available square meters. One of the most underrated spaces is under the stairs. In it, it is possible to create several spaces with a multitude of functionality, being a great way to use this place that used to be empty.

According to the coordinator of the Interior Design course at the Educational Center for Design and Intelligence (NEDI), in Belo Horizonte (MG), Flávia Bizzotto, this space should be reused mainly in homes that have a few square meters. “We can install different types of furniture there for different purposes. Cabinets, shelves, shelves, niches, wine cellar, bar, home office, reading space, kids’ space and even a garden”, she suggests. Creatively, you can create any corner that meets your need.

Anyone who believes that the place under the stairs cannot be used is wrong. “Due to its volume, the staircase will always offer this condition, but the way in which we will be able to take advantage of this space will depend on its size, shape and angles”, says Flávia. Therefore, each type of stairs will offer a possibility, from those that offer small spaces under it, to the less angled stairs that allow a better use of the place.

As for the material, the architect and professor at the Institute of Construction of Ribeirão Preto, Fabi Rodrigues, says that masonry stairs are the best options. “For a better optimization of spaces, the best option is the masonry staircase, as it allows the transformation of the place into new rooms”, she reinforces.

For those who are building a staircase, the tip that the coordinator gives is to evaluate what use will be given to the space under the stairs. “Overall, single-flight straight stairs offer the best options,” he says. So, if you want a larger space, give preference to this type of stairs.

14 creative ideas to do under the stairs

Any corner under the stairs can be used, from the smallest, with a few square meters and little height, to the spaces under the less angled stairs, which offer a large area to give the intended purpose. So, with the help of the Interior Design course coordinator, here’s a guide with several ideas and tips for you to create the best space under your stairs.

1. Home Office

It is possible to make an office for your residence using the area under the stairs. The tip given by Flávia is to take advantage of the higher space to place the table and chair and the lower space of the stairs for the files. As you work seated, there is no problem regarding the height of the ladder. In this case, the best option is the one-flight straight staircase, so you have more space to create your home office.

2. Bathroom

It seems unlikely, but the space under the stairs is a great place to do your home’s powder room. As it is a small bathroom, without a shower and does not need to be spacious, it fits perfectly under stairs with reasonable areas. In addition, the toilet is usually on the first floor, being the bathroom used by visitors, and therefore, being under the stairs is a good option to optimize your residence.

3. Garden

Having plants at home helps to make it fresher and happier and for those who don’t have the space to create a garden, you can take advantage of the stairwell. ” The use of areas under the stairs as gardens is also widely used. In this case, attention should be paid to some details that may interfere with the growth and development of the species. Natural light is essential, as well as a good drainage and irrigation system”, points out the architect Fabi. But, for those who have stairs in a less airy place, there is the possibility of installing vases and having a more practical garden, as the architect suggests.

4. House for the pet

If the right foot of your stairs is small and it is impossible to create environments for the height of a human being, how about giving your pet a house? Because they are small and walk on all fours, the space under the stairs ends up being a great alternative for your dog’s or kitten’s house. You can create a space the ideal size for your animal and make your pet very happy to also have its own house.

5. Cabinets

In most homes, there is always a lack of a closet to store a towel, sheet or suitcase, so the space under the stairs is the ideal place for you to install more closets in your home. In it you can put everything that doesn’t fit in the other cabinets, from household items to bed and bath linen. Take advantage of the height of the stairs to make cabinets the size of your need and store everything you need in them, leaving your home more organized.

6. Bar

A fun and different place for you to do under your stairs is the bar. “Place the lowest bench (table height) and chairs or ottomans. In the part under the lower steps, decorate with something of your interest”, is the tip of the coordinator Flávia. “It is possible to organize drinks, as well as bowls, glasses and cutlery, and it is of great value for those people who like to receive friends at home. In addition, transforming this space into a bar creates a new and pleasant point of interest for the residence”, explains Fabi. For wine lovers, there is the option of installing a wine cellar under the stairs.

7. Shelf for junk

Junk is something that is not lacking in every home. Picture frame, photo album, vases, CDs, DVDs, etc., all this, together with a bookcase, can create an interesting atmosphere under the stairs. The idea is to use creativity to make a shelf full of junk, but organized to create a decoration and a place to store these items that are often thrown around the house. You can also take advantage of stairwells to create shelves for your bookcase.

8. Drawers

Options to store your things are not lacking. In addition to being able to place a closet and bookcase, you can also use the space under the stairs to install drawers. It’s a great way to keep your belongings sorted and stored at the same time. In each drawer, place utensils from a specific place in the house, or leave a drawer for each family member, so no one else will miss anything and still enjoy the space under the stairs.

9. TV sideboard

If your ladder is straight and has a suitable height, there is the possibility of installing the TV sideboard under the ladder. “If the sofa can be in front it will be a great space for the TV. It just won’t be very comfortable if the movement of people there is very large”, observes Flávia. Given these specifications, you can install your television and create a charming and cozy atmosphere for your living room and also for your stairs.

10. Space for the sofa

Not only can the TV be in the space under the stairs, but so can your sofa. As people are either sitting or lying down, there is enough height under the stairs to accommodate them. With this, there is the possibility for you to create two environments: a very cozy living room to receive your guests, or a TV room for you to have fun and watch your favorite shows. You can also put armchairs and a rug, to leave the perfect environment for your rooms.

11. Kitchen

A very useful environment that can be done under the stairs is the kitchen. Depending on the height of your stairs, you can install a stove, refrigerator and lots of shelves under your stairs. Other elements that need more space, such as the sink, can be in another part of the environment. So that the smell of frying does not reach the top floor, close a part of the stairs and give preference to materials, such as cement, to prevent the smell from reaching the wall.

More ideas to inspire

In addition to these options, there are a multitude of creative ideas you can use to make the most of the space under the stairs. For this, we selected some images for you to look at, get inspired and build the space that best suits your needs.