Under Stairs Storage Ideas - From Bathrooms to Bookshelves!

Hi Friends!

I know there are a lot of people who are building homes and wondering how they could best use the empty space under their stairs.  

So with this post, I compiled a BUNCH of fun ideas for you. :-)

I love the craftsman/coastal feel of this home below. By adding glass doors with a grid, it made this storage area a perfect addition to their home decor.  It was a great way to make the most out of the empty stair space.

BHG.com

If you have a large enough space - why not use the area under the stairs for a guest bathroom.  

And if all else fails :-)  Turn the space into a little reading nook.  So cozy!

southern living

One thing that often gets missed when buying a new home (or building one) is a space for the pets.  If you have a dog like mine, you can understand the frustration of continually having to step over your sleeping pet as they plop down right in the middle of a high traffic area. /-:

Using the extra stair space for a pet area is a GREAT idea!

  

And if you ever need to sell your home and the people looking didn't have any pets - just tell them it's a hideout for the kids.  :-)  Honestly, what kid wouldn't love a space like that!  All they need is a flashlight and a good imagination for hours of spy like fun. 

In my new home, we don't have any extra stair space but I did think through where we could put the dog bowls.  I knew there was some extra wall space off the kid cubby area so we did a little built in dog dish area.  It's been PERFECT, I no longer worry about kicking or tripping over the dog dishes.  (I now just trip over and kick the DOG when he's sleeping!) 

These next few pictures have a lot of my favorite elements - dark wood and black iron.  I love the idea of a wine rack built into the extra stair space.   

Manning Marable

In my own home, we took the empty space by the kitchen bar and turned it into a computer area with a wine rack above.  Yes, that is where I sit every day typing blog posts and emailing.  It's now stocked with lots of wine in case I need a drink....which is often. :-) 

I LOVE this staircase and what a great idea to build little drawers and bookshelves into the side.  I'm sure the extra storage in this smaller size kitchen is much appreciated.

The home below happens to be Reese Witherspoon's home.  What a fantastic idea to make an arch cut out under the stairs to form a small office space.  Simply beautiful.

live journal

Another classic idea is to turn the area under the stairs into a bookshelf.  

You can't go wrong with adding drawers for extra storage space!  

Indulgy


I like this idea because it is simple.  The stair space was left open and the homeowners added a desk and chair.  Simple yet very efficient.  





And this last idea is gorgeous.  Now a days, more than ever before, having a small space for our laptops is a must!  This space is perfect and they really put it to great use.

BHG

I hope you guys have enjoyed looking through this post and marking it for your future home or fun ideas on your current home!

Have a great weekend!

Turning Closets Into Nooks and Other Fun Spaces

Have you ever had a closet located in a spot where you think WOW, that looks ugly :-)  We know it happens (what were the builders thinking!) but this post is going to give you HOPE for that little 'ol closet.  

I absolutely LOVE what Kandi from Woven Home did to her coat closet.  It was the very first thing you saw when you opened their front door, and you all know how important I feel first impressions are. 

BEFORE: This is what you saw when you entered their home. /-:

And now, this is what you see when you enter their home!

Can you believe the difference!!  Now that really makes the entry inviting. :-)

Or what about turning your closet space into something else completely?  These people turned a space that could have been used as a closet into a great place to put the washer and dryer.

BHG

I have seen a lot of people turn their closets into craft areas.  I need something like that as I know I won't get an entire room dedicated to crafts until a kid moves out of the house ;-)

BHG

This is similar to Kandi's first impression entrance situation.  I'm sure Shelly from House of Smiths thought something other than a closed closet would look nice in the entry.   Just look at what they did!

Are you as impressed as I am?!  

Click on over to see every step of the process.

The House of Smiths

Not having doors on a closet can give added dimension to a room, and even make it appear larger.  Although, I know some of you are laughing thinking, oh you WANT closet doors on all MY closets! (believe me, this interior designer wants closet doors on most of her closets too!)

BHG

Here's another great idea - what about turning your closet into an office??  I love this!  It can be hard to dedicate an entire room to an office, and so many older homes don't have ANY area to hold a computer, so this options works very well. 

BHG

Sarah from Thrifty Decor Chick will give you a step by step tutorial on how to turn your own closet into a cute little reading nook!  I am sure I could snuggle up in there and enjoy a good book. (Although, that space looks a little small....maybe it was just meant for kids) :-)

What do you guys think?  Have any of these pictures inspired you to tear apart your closet? :-) Any married woman reading this should be very excited as it's Valentine's  Day Weekend! I'm sure your husband would love to be assigned fun new project to tackle for you. (he,he) 

Have a great day my friends!