17 ingenious under-the-stairs storage ideas to maximise space

1. Coat storage

This is probably the most common use of the space under the stairs, especially if the stairs are in the hallway. For most homes, it's a bit of a no-brainer, as it instantly hides away coats, scarves, bags and boots while keeping them easily accessible.

The downside of these types of cloakrooms is that they can quickly turn into a bit of a dumping ground. This can be easily addressed by installing shelves to store accessories and individual boxes for gloves and hats to keep things organised. For more tips on decluttering your hallway, check out our blog, ‘5 simple steps to decluttering your hallway’.

TOP TIP: Don't forget the storage potential on the back of the door, such as shoe racks and bag hooks.

2. W/C

An extra toilet is always handy, especially in a family home, and where better to install one than in that under-used area under the stairs?

You may need to be creative with your space, and you will have to consider plumbing requirements. However, with the right help and advice you can create a room that is not only useful but will ultimately be an additional selling point for your property. In fact, according to recent data, a downstairs toilet can add up to 5% to the value of your property.

3. Workspace

With more and more people opting for flexible working, there is an increased need to create a workstation within the home.

Dedicating an entire room to a home office isn't always practical, but converting an unused area can be a great solution. Hollowing out the space under the stairs will create plenty of space for a desk, and hidden shelves can easily be integrated into the wall space.

As most office furniture is designed to maximise space, you will also be able to fit a surprising amount of under-desk storage into your workspace.

4. Wine storage

Another popular use for this area is to store and display wine, especially if you find that your wine collection keeps growing and growing! The space lends itself to structured grid-style storage, and it can be relatively cheap and easy to transform the area into a stylish, yet useful feature.

5. Integrated bookshelves

Create your very own library by lining the walls with narrow shelves. By positioning the shelves relatively close together (take a look at the average size of your books and plan your shelves accordingly), you can fit a surprising amount of books in there.

6. Cosy reading nook 

If you’re a big fan of reading, go a step further than creating integrated bookshelves and turn your under-stair space into a cosy reading nook. Incorporate some task lighting and seating, and the dead space suddenly becomes a cosy den. If you’d like to learn more about staircase lighting solutions, read our blog, ‘Lighting solutions to put your staircase in the spotlight’.

TOP TIP: If you choose to create an integrated seat, incorporate additional storage with a 'toy box style' hinged seat which allows access to the hollow space inside the chair.

7. Playhouse

Most children love building dens and hiding in little wendy houses, so why not transform this space into their own little playhouse? It's a great way to create a fun downstairs play space, whilst also creating a functional place to store toys that would otherwise clutter up the house.

8. Shoe storage

For those who consider shoes as a passion rather than a practicality, this can be a great area for creating dedicated shoe and boot storage. Here are some of our recommendations:

• Pull-out drawers are a popular way to keep shoes neat, tidy and out of sight.
• Use cube storage if you prefer easy access to your shoes or want to put your shoe collection on display. 
• Clear plastic boxes are great for stacking shoes that are worn infrequently as you can still see the shoes inside.
• For family use, use the lower shelves for kids' shoes so they can put their own shoes away.

TOP TIP: If you prefer to store your shoes in their original boxes, a time-saving tip is to take a photo of the shoes and pin the picture onto the box, that way you can instantly see what is in the box without opening it.

9. Laundry/utility

If you have a small kitchen it can be difficult to fit all of your white goods into the space. The area under the stairs is ideal for housing washing machines (providing you have the required plumbing) and the space above is great for storing laundry equipment. To keep your utility area out of sight, close off the space with cupboard-style doors.

For more tips on transforming your staircase into a functional part of your kitchen, have a look at our blog, ‘Innovative ideas for integrating a staircase into your kitchen’.

10. Bike storage

Bikes are notoriously hard to store, especially if you don't have access to a garage or outhouse. Increasingly, people are biting the bullet and making their bike a feature of the room, by wall mounting or suspending in some way. The space beneath freestanding staircases is a great spot to 'hang' a bike and keep it tucked out of the way. This turns the bike into a quirky focal point rather than simply a cumbersome obstacle that clutters up the hallway.

11. Seating area

Staircases in living areas can easily be integrated into the overall layout of the room. 'Hollowing out' this space will add an extra couple of feet to a room which is ideal if you need more seating options. Use this additional floor space to house a small eating booth, a freestanding bistro table or a funky corner sofa.

12. Pet house

Another good use of this space is to turn it into a pet house for your dog or cat. Put your pet's bed and toys inside the space to create a cosy place for them to sleep. If you have a cat, the space under your stairs could also make an ideal location for their litter tray.

As this area is likely to be relatively small and without natural light, it is important that you don't have a fully closing door. Consider a simple arched doorway, as per the traditional kennel, or, if you prefer to be able to close the 'door', look at gates, shutters or doors with windows to ensure your pet has sufficient light and ventilation.

TOP TIP: Install a soft light on a timer that will illuminate the space in the evening. This is ideal for when your pet is left in the home alone.

13. White goods storage

If you have a bulky chest freezer that won’t fit in your kitchen, consider storing it under your stairs instead. Housing white goods, such as fridge freezers or dishwashers  (plumbing permitted) within the wall beneath your staircase can be a great space-saving option in a small house.

TOP TIP: Position the white goods so the doors sit flush with the wall for a seamless and barely noticeable solution.

14. Sound system/TV housing

Staircases within living areas are perfect for housing TV and audio equipment. If you don't fancy trying your hand at building a bespoke media unit to fit the space, there are several furniture manufacturers on the market. Many offer module-based products that can be easily put together to fit your unique space.

15. Secret storage

If you want to integrate a 'safe place' into your home for storing valuables or important documents, the space under the stairs could make the perfect secret storage spot. Simply create a small hinged door to allow access to the hollow space inside

TOP TIP: Disguise the cupboard space altogether by incorporating some decorative shelving into the door and no one will guess where your treasures are hidden!

16. Pantry 

If you have a small kitchen, you might find you’re constantly running out of storage space. Transforming the dead space under your stairs into an organised and practical pantry can be a great solution. Think about adding:

Cabinets with pull-out drawers to store bulky items, like pots and pans.
A spice rack to keep all of your favourite herbs and spices organised and within easy reach. 
Shelving and air-tight plastic boxes to store common perishable items. 

17. Open shelving 

Although many people like to install doors, cupboards or drawers beneath their stairs to hide away clutter, there’s no reason why you can’t transform the space into a gorgeous display instead. Open shelving is the perfect solution for displaying cookbooks, artwork and vases. If you also need some practical storage, some wicker baskets are a nice touch.