17 Clever Uses for the Space Under the Stairs

Stealthy Storage

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Every home can use more storage. Fortunately, the often-neglected space beneath a staircase provides an ideal spot for drawers and cabinets. This stylish example of under stair storage, built by Ben Herzog Architect, offers a discrete space to stash shoes and other goods. With its simple hardware and detailing, you'd have no idea there's storage hiding behind the wall.

Marco Valencia | Design: Ben Herzog Architect, PC

Petite Playroom

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Have a spot for the kiddos to play without their toys creating a mess around the house. This crawl space under the stairs created by Von Fitz Design is a fun hideaway for the kids and the clutter.

Von Fitz Design

The Ultimate Nook

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Carve out a cozy nook for yourself like JWT Associates did for these homeowners. The space under the stairs provides just the right depth for a comfy bench and bookshelf. Add in fluffy pillows and a lamp and it's the ultimate reading spot. Here they even left room for crawl space storage with a charming little door.

JWT Associates

Covert Laundry Room

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Not every house is fortunate enough to have a laundry room, especially for city dwellers. You might not have ever thought of it before, but the space to store a washer and dryer may have been underfoot all along. Brickhouse Kitchens and Baths built this genius laundry space beneath the stairs. Not only are the appliances kept out of sight, but the built-in counter provides a place to store your laundry supplies.

Brickhouse Kitchens and Baths

Supreme Storage

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Being one of the most trafficked spots in the house makes the stairway a prime spot for clutter. With built-in shelves and cabinets, like these by HighCraft Builders, your family has a place to put backpacks, books, and other everyday necessities.

HighCraft Builders

Room Divider

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Take advantage of all sides of your stairway if it sits in the center of the house, just like JLV Creative did here. The design team didn’t waste any space on these large stairs, creating a sitting and storage area on one side and a mini bar on the other. The stairway becomes a focal point of the house providing space for entertaining and divvying up an open floor plan.

Related: 18 Inviting Entryways We Love

JLV Creative

Cheerful Home Office

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If you've always wanted a work area but thought you didn't have enough room, claim the space under the stairs as your own just like Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects did. A sturdy chair, a work surface attached to the wall, and extra shelves on the side create a fun and functional home office.

Whit Preston | Design: Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects /@hughjeffersonrandolpharchitect

Decked with Drawers

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A narrow hallway might not be conducive for storage furniture, yet you still need somewhere to toss your keys, bags, shoes, etc. John Bynum Custom Homes offers a space-savvy solution with these drawers built into the stairs. Heck, they’re even better than a console table or cubby since they keep your stuff hidden away.

John Bynum Custom Homes

Comfortable Entryway

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A simple banquette piled with pillows and lit from above with a wall sconce is a tempting spot to curl up with a favorite book, and it makes for an easy spot to sit and tie your shoes. Take some inspiration from JMA Interior Design's welcoming front room. Drawers below the bench provide additional storage for a neat and tidy entry.

Carmel Brantley from Brantley Photography | Design: JMA Interior Design

Artful Display

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Alcove shelving built into the stairs is the perfect place to showcase treasured antiques and decorative items. This stairway by Gilberte Interiors is an excellent example of putting your prized possessions on display without them getting in the way.

Gilberte Interiors

Children's Den

11/17

A playhouse in the backyard is nice, but not very useful on a cold or rainy day. Metro Building and Remodeling Group got creative with the space under one family’s basement stairs and built a playhouse the kids can enjoy year round.

Metro Building and Remodeling Group

Built-In Bar

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This built-in cabinet under the staircase, designed by Katy Bell Interiors, creates superb storage for all your cocktail hour essentials: shelves for glassware, a cabinet for liquor, and a countertop to put it all together. It's rustic style fits in perfectly with the rest of the home's decor.

Katy Bell Interiors

Catchalls in the Hall

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These little cubbies situated at the bottom of the stairs are a stylish way to keep the front hall tidy. Created by Jeff King & Company, the clean and classic design is evidence you don’t need a fancy organizational system for a neat home.

Paul Dyer Photography | Design: Jeff King & Company

Pet Refuge

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The space under your staircase can be fashioned into a cozy, custom nook for the favorite family pet. This interior dog house by Michaelson Homes is much nicer looking than a bulky crate. Who wouldn't want to tuck themselves in to such a sweet spot?

Michaelson Homes

Kids' Corner

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In this house from Silver Maple Construction, the elegant arch created from the stairs above fashions a snug corner for the kids. It has just the right amount of space for toy storage and a quiet spot for story time. Rather than having wasted space, it’s a brilliant way to carve out an area just for the kids.

Susan Teare Photography | Design: Silver Maple Construction

Animal House

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Everyone in the house likes to have a little space for themselves, including the family pet. This tiny room, created by Cummings Architect, provides a quiet spot for the dog as well as convenient storage for the toys and supplies.

Eric Roth | Cummings Architects

Book Nook

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Take inspiration from this reading corner designed by the Williams Group Inc. A built-in bookcase under the stairs with a comfy chair and soft lighting makes just the right environment for getting lost in a story.

The Williams Group Inc.