7 Smart and Stylish Under Stairs Storage Ideas

Regardless of the type of stairs space in your house, this list of under stairs storage ideas shows that there is an option for everyone to fully utilise the space under their stairs. ‍If you're struggling to find more storage space in your home, look no further than the often-overlooked area under your stairs. This space is full of potential and with a little creativity, can be transformed into a functional storage solution.

The irregular shaped space underneath the stairs provides an opportune area to create a unique space that supports different homeowners' lifestyles. Whether it's to create ample storage space for fitted furniture, support shoe storage or wine storage, these under stair storage ideas showcase what's possible and inspire your own under stair transformation.

In this article, I'll explore 7 creative under stairs storage ideas that will help you maximise your space and keep your home clutter-free. From built-in bookshelves to hidden closets and pull-out drawers, these ideas will inspire you to make the most of this often wasted space. Whether you have a small apartment or a large house, there under stairs storage ideas are adaptable to any stairs area and budget. So, let's look and discover the endless possibilities of under stairs storage solutions.

Benefits of Under Stairs Storage

Before I jump into the list of under stairs storage ideas, let's first discuss some of the benefits of utilising this wasted space. First and foremost, under stairs storage can help you save extra space in your home, making it perfect for those with limited square footage.

It also allows you to keep your belongings organised and out of sight, which can help reduce clutter. Decluttering your home is more than just tidying up your living space. It has been proven to have a positive impact on your mental and physical well-being. Studies show that clutter can cause stress, anxiety, and even depression. When we are surrounded by clutter, it can be overwhelming and make us feel out of control. By decluttering our homes, we can create a sense of calm and peace that can improve our overall well-being.

Having a clutter-free home also has physical health benefits. It can help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries by eliminating tripping hazards and improving air quality. Clutter makes it difficult to clean your home properly, which can lead to a buildup of dust and allergens that can worsen respiratory problems.

By decluttering your home, you can also improve your productivity and focus. A clutter-free environment can help reduce distractions and increase your ability to concentrate on tasks. It can also improve your sleep quality by creating a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

In conclusion, decluttering your home is not just about creating a tidy living space. It can have a significant impact on your mental and physical well-being. Utilising under stairs storage ideas is just one of the many ways you can declutter your home and create a more organised and peaceful environment. So, take the first step towards a clutter-free life today and see the positive impact it can have on your overall well-being.

Under Stairs Storage Ideas: The Pantry

Remodelling the space under the stairs and door into a pantry is a way great of helping to keep the main kitchen area uncluttered, and provides a dedicated space for all of your dry goods.

Creating an organised space under the stairs can help to free up a substantial amount of space in the kitchen, and saves you from having to root to the back of your cupboards to find ingredients. The pantry under the stairs cupboard can also serve as a place to store seasonal tableware, again freeing up space for the items that you do use day-to-day in your kitchen.

Image courtesy of Humphrey Munson.

Under Stairs Storage Ideas: The Breakfast Bar

Creating a custom breakfast bar presents a great place to store and use electrical items like the coffee machine, toaster and smoothie blender. By adding a supported worktop to prepare your hot beverages and breakfast, and drawers to access and store all the bits and bobs, it creates an extension to the current kitchen footprint within the house.

But for those that fancy something a little bit stronger than tea …

Image courtesy of Martin Moore.

Under Stairs Storage Ideas: The Bar

If your lifestyle entails a lot of family gatherings and entertaining then a bar may be a great way to realise the potential of the space under your stairs. This beautiful example, designed by TR Studio, showcases the use of shelves for storing liquors and decanters, cupboards for storing glasses, an integrated wine cooler and a convenient sink.

The mirror at the back of the shelving helps to reflect light, keeping the area bright and inviting with the added benefit of making the shelf space look deeper than it is. This bar's clever combination of form and function ensures that the space works as both a stylish feature in the home and a practical place for entertaining.

Image courtesy of TR Studio. Photography by Kalina Krawczyk.

If you're a wine lover, under stairs storage can be the perfect solution for storing your collection. One option is to install a wine rack under your stairs. This can be done by building a custom wine rack into the wall or by installing a pre-made wine rack. This is a great option for those who want to display their wine collection and create a unique focal point in their home.

Another option is to install pull-out drawers under your stairs and use them to store your wine bottles. This is a great option for those who want to keep their wine out of sight but still easily accessible. You can even add a lock to the drawer to keep your wine collection secure.

Under Stairs Storage Ideas: Shoe Storage

One of the most common uses for under stairs storage is for shoes. If you're tired of tripping over shoes scattered throughout your hallway, consider installing a shoe rack or cubbies under your stairs. This will not only keep your shoes neatly organised but will also save you valuable closet space. Another option is to install drawers under your stairs and use them to store shoes. This is a great option for those who want to keep their shoes out of sight but are still easily accessible.

If you're looking for a more creative solution, consider building a staircase with built-in shoe storage. This can be done by creating small compartments within the staircase itself, which can be accessed by lifting a small flap. This can be a more expensive option, but it's perfect for those who want a unique and functional staircase.

Fonte Boa House by João Mendes Ribeiro. Photography by José Campos.

Under Stairs Storage Ideas: The Hidden Powder Room

Due to a downstairs toilet's practicality for modern living, they are seen as desirable spaces to have in contemporary houses. A downstairs bathroom is also recognised as an addition that could increase the value of your home. For those that do not have the budget to extend or the option to take space from other downstairs rooms, installing a bijoux powder room under the stairs may be a practical option.

As demonstrated by this beautiful powder room by Home Studios, there's the opportunity to combine function with form by designing the space with materials and colours that make an impact when the space is revealed. By using bold patterns in a small space it creates the illusion of the room being bigger than it is, as well as introducing character and fun into the space.

This particular powder room features tiles by Cle Tile, Giallo Siena marble from BAS stone, a Kast concrete basin, Fantini fixtures, and a custom mural painted by Kimmy Quillin.

All images courtesy of Home Studios. Photography by Brian W. Ferry.

Get a similar look for less

This article may contain affiliate links.

Under Stairs Storage Ideas: The Home Office

If a designated workplace within the home would be beneficial, a dedicated desk area incorporating storage and shelving may be an ideal option.

Incorporating drawers and cupboards for storage will not only help with organisation but also support putting items out of sight when trying to create a divide between work and home. By accessorising the desk with home decor items, this installation will also help to ensure that the space doesn't look too corporate when you're not working.

Image courtesy of Zephyr & Stone.

If you're an avid reader, you know how quickly books can pile up and take over your living space. But with under stairs storage, you can keep your books organized and off of your floors. One option is to install built-in bookshelves under your stairs. This can be done by building shelves directly into the wall, or by installing pre-made shelving units. This is a great option for those who want to display their books and create a cosy reading nook under their stairs.

Under Stairs Storage Ideas: The Pull Out Bed

Especially when you venture closer to the cities, you'll notice the increased development of unused mills, warehouses and new duplex apartments. And duplex apartments, spread over two floors, are usually connected by an indoor staircase.

For those that would like more space for guests to stay over, a pull-out bed that can be stored under a stairs cupboard or in the storage space may help facilitate enough room for guests. There are many budget flat pack options available that don't require you to have drawers built or fitted furniture in place to function.

If suitable and within budget, hiring a joiner to realise your stair's full potential with fitted furniture can be a great idea. This minimalist apartment, designed by Thisispaper Studio, shows the seamless integration of a bed system in pine plywood, with storage above the floor for bedding and other items.

All images courtesy of Thisispaper Studio. Photography by Maja Wirkus.

Talking of beds …

Under Stairs Storage Ideas: Pet Supplies

Depending on the size of the space underneath your stairs, alongside how large your pet is(!), the stairs space could be utilised as the perfect place to include a room for your pet to eat, play and sleep, as well as a storage area for all of the pet necessities and accessories.

The design of this specifically designed pup pad, with its dog wallpaper and decorative mirrors and doors, makes me smile. If you can't carve out enough space for a small room, the stairs area could still be styled with furniture, such as some of my favourite finds below.

If you have pets, you know how quickly their toys and supplies can take over your home. But with under stairs storage, you can keep your pet supplies organised and out of sight with the extra storage space. One option is to install built-in shelves under your stairs and use them to store and have easy access to your pet supplies. This is a great option for those who want to create a dedicated pet area under their stairs.

Image courtesy of jasmine-roth.com

Pet Accessories and Gifts

Conclusion

Under stairs storage is a great way to maximise your space and keep your home organised. With these 7 creative under stairs storage ideas, you can transform this often overlooked space into a functional storage solution. Whether you need a space to store shoes, books, wine bottles, sports equipment, kids' toys, pet supplies, office supplies, or seasonal decorations, there's an under stairs storage solution for you. So, start exploring the possibilities of under stairs storage and see how it can transform your home.