Lloyd’s Woodworking · Hudson, Massachusetts
By Lloyd’s Woodworking Inc.
Can the Space Under My Stairs Become Useful Storage?
DIRECT ANSWER:
Potentially, yes. Space beneath stairs may be adaptable for drawers, cabinetry, shelving, coat storage or other uses depending on stair construction, dimensions, access, utilities, code requirements and the surrounding architecture.
YOU WALK PAST THAT TRIANGLE EVERY DAY.
WHAT'S INSIDE IT?
Sometimes nothing.
Sometimes exactly the storage space the house is missing.
FIRST, FIND OUT WHAT IS ACTUALLY THERE
Under-stair areas may contain:
Framing
Electrical
Plumbing
HVAC
Other building systems
Do not assume the entire volume is available.
WHAT COULD IT BECOME?
Depending on conditions:
Drawers
Cabinets
Shelves
Coat storage
Shoe storage
Household storage
Display
Other custom uses
DRAWERS CAN USE DEEP SPACE
A deep triangular space can be awkward to access through ordinary cabinet doors.
Pull-out storage may sometimes make the depth more useful.
THE FRONT MATTERS TOO
Under-stair cabinetry becomes part of the room.
Consider how it relates to:
Stair trim
Wall paneling
Baseboard
Doors
Existing cabinetry
Architecture
DON'T COMPROMISE THE STAIR
The stair is a structural and life-safety element.
Any alteration must respect the existing structure and applicable requirements.
Custom storage should work with the building—not casually modify important structural components.
Frequently asked questions
CAN DRAWERS BE BUILT UNDER STAIRS?
Potentially, where construction and available space permit.
CAN UNDER-STAIR STORAGE MATCH EXISTING TRIM?
It can be designed to coordinate with surrounding architecture.
CAN THE WHOLE AREA UNDER A STAIR BE USED?
Not necessarily. Structure and building systems may occupy portions of the space.
IS UNDER-STAIR STORAGE GOOD FOR OLD HOUSES?
It can be, particularly when storage is limited, provided the design respects the building.
THAT SPACE MAY BE DOING NOTHING.
LET'S FIND OUT WHAT IT COULD DO.
Send Lloyd’s a photo of the space, approximate dimensions and an explanation of what the finished piece needs to do.
SHOW US THE STAIRCALL 978-562-9007ONE ROOM CAN INVOLVE MORE THAN ONE TYPE OF WOODWORK.
A project may combine:
- Custom cabinetry
- Built-ins
- Architectural millwork
- Furniture
- Trim
- Doors
- Historic woodwork
Rather than treating each component independently, the woodworking can be considered as part of the room as a whole.