As those who have homes with multiple stories know all too well, the space beneath the stairs can be one of the most perplexing areas to decorate, regardless if you have an actual nook or just a wall. However, despite being one of the most awkwardly shaped areas in your home, it also happens to be one of the most versatile. Whether you opt for a fun or functional design, the space under the stairs presents an opportunity to showcase your personal style, incorporating the design choices that complement the rest of your home. If you’ve been scratching your head trying to figure out what to do with the seemingly unwieldy space beneath the stairs, consider one of these interior designer-approved ideas.
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Create Additional Storage
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It’s almost impossible to have too much storage, so turn that space into a closet if you have the room. "Add doors and create custom storage in there," says Anaïs Chaumien, interior designer and owner of Design by Anaïs. "You can add shelves, racks, drawers—whatever you need to store what you own. We never have enough closed storage in our houses, so taking advantage of a dead spot to add functionality to your home is perfect!"
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Install Display Shelves
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The space beneath your stairs offers an excellent opportunity to showcase cherished photos, your favorite art pieces, books, and other special décor items. Try a cubby-style arrangement or, depending on the space, floating shelves. "If you have a narrow area under the stairway, you may want to consider installing a floating shelf gallery to display art or family photographs," says Elizabeth Vergara, lead designer and founder of Vergara Homes.
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Have Fun With Mirrors
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For Mimi Meacham, owner and principal designer of Marian Louise Design, mirrors are a go-to choice for adding dimension to the space under the stairs. "These mirrors were a pleasant find from one of our favorite vendors at Roundtop, Texas," she says. "I immediately had the vision of these fun orbs being hung in a very non-symmetrical, organic way and it thankfully turned out exactly how I imagined. This long, sleek bench in this walkway served a functional purpose as well as a landing place for the eye."
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Set Up a Home Office
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More people than ever are working from home, so why not utilize the space beneath your stairs to create a home office? "Create a custom desk area to take advantage of the space," says Chaumien. She recommends having a plank of wood cut into the exact size of the nook to use as a desktop, installing it without legs to maximize space. "Wallpaper the back of it and add a cute chair—ideally one that you can push to the desk—or a little pouf, and enjoy your Insta-worthy nook!"
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Design a Cozy Corner
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The space under the stairs is a perfect hideaway for kids and pets. For children, you can create a cozy nook for reading and quiet play. If you have pets you already know how much space they require for their toys, beds, blankets, and scratching posts. Why not give them a space that’s all their own? "For fur moms and dads, you can transform the area into a comfortable spot for your pets with cushions, toys, and make the stairwell a designated pet corner," says Vergara.
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Add a Bench or Console
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The space under your stairs may be awkwardly shaped, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be functional. "If you have the space, a bench or console is so helpful," says Annie Oberman, principal designer at Forge and Bow Dwellings. "To save yourself countless trips upstairs throughout the day, set up a basket on a bench or console table to collect the items you need to bring back up. If space is limited, wallpaper or a wall detail is an easy and simple way to spruce up the area."
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Accentuate Negative Space
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If the space surrounding your stairs is small or narrow, you may want to incorporate design elements that make it feel larger than it actually is. "You can install a large mirror to give the illusion of a more open and spacious area while adding a decorative element to the negative space," says Vergara. Additionally, angling the mirror to reflect natural light can also help brighten up the room.
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Build a Reading Nook
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Whether you’re an avid reader or have kids who would benefit from a quiet and cozy space to study, a reading nook is an excellent way to utilize the space under your stairs. "If you can, create a custom bench or banquette that will fill exactly the space of your nook," says Chaumien. "Wallpaper the back of it, or add tons of little frames." Vergara is also a fan of creating a bookish space beneath the stairs. "Another great way to utilize a narrow space is to transform it into a mini-library by placing built-in bookshelves under the stairs," she says.
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Create Wine Storage
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If the only thing preventing you from becoming a wine connoisseur is having a place to store your collection, consider using the space under your stairs. "If you have a large area, you can consider building it out for wine storage," says Vergara. "Depending on your budget, you can go as luxurious as a glass-enclosed, temperature-controlled wine fridge and display your wine on wall-mounted racks."
