Space under a staircase can be challenging to utilise, but it can be converted into valuable storage or even for functional purposes like a home office.
Creative Bunnings Workshop community members have shared some wonderful ways to use the often-overlooked space under their stairs. Get inspiration for your home from the ideas below.
1. Closet or a mud room
Create storage for items like coats and bags by converting the space under the stairs into a closet or mud room with hooks, shelves and baskets. Community member @makingmyhive's mini mud room included hooks and a floating shelf, while modular cupboards and a Tasmanian Oak benchtop helped create valuable under-stairs storage with drawers, hanging space and lighting in @iCandy's under-stairs storage project.
Don’t miss 10 practical mud room storage projects for more ideas.
2. Shoe rack
Use the space under your stairs to store shoes. Get inspired from member @den1ska who maximised storage space under their stairs to create a custom plywood shoe rack.
Get more ideas from 8 ways to use wasted space in your home.
3. Butler’s pantry
Free up valuable space in your kitchen by using the area under your stairs to store kitchen equipment and pnatry items. @kennyrussell converted space under a stairwell into a butler's pantry using shelf storage units.
8 pantry ideas has more inspiration.
4. Home office or study area
Install a floating desk and lighting to create a dedicated workspace underneath your stairs. A hidden study nook by @Eloise is a good example of how to turn an empty area into a workspace using a timber benchtop and downlights.
Get more from 10 home office project ideas.
5. A dedicated space for your pets
If you have furry friends at home, consider converting the space under the stairs into a pet haven. Ideas include using the space for a feeding station like @Wayne's raised food and water station or for storing a pet bed such as the D.I.Y. slide-out dog bed by @Remarka6le.
Here are 10 ways to make your home pet-friendly.
6. Hidden storage room
Turn an empty stairwell cavity into a dedicated storage room for household items. Member @J-P opened up a closed-off area under the stairs, then added a door, plasterboard, skirting, paint, carpet and shelving to create a tidy and practical storage space.
Always seek professional advice before considering alterations to your home's structural framing.
7. Open shelving
Open shelving can make the most of an awkward under-stairs area while keeping everyday items easy to access. Workshop member @EleventhCoastal built custom shelves under a staircase using melamine shelving, supports, brackets and paint.
Storage tubs or baskets can help keep the shelves organised and hide clutter.
8. Bike and scooter storage
If bikes and scooters are taking over your entryway or garage, consider using the space under your stairs for a compact storage zone. Experienced Workshop member @Tara86 built a portable bike stand on lockable castors using timber and wall-mounted bike hooks. The stand was designed to fit in an under-stairs storage room and can be moved easily to access items stored behind it.
More bike and scooter storage ideas.
9. Wine rack
The space under a staircase can become a stylish feature as well as storing your wine collection. Workshop member @rhys_fitzgerald transformed an old metal handrail and under-stair area into a living-room centrepiece using Merbau timber screening, cupboard doors and a wine rack.
For a simpler project, @KGriff1 turned a pallet into wine storage and a bookshelf, adding MDF shelves, sanding the timber and styling the finished piece with books and plants.
10. Gift wrap storage
Long, narrow items like wrapping paper can be tricky to store, but the space under stairs can be ideal. Workshop member @EleventhCoastal shared the simple idea of adding Pinnacle hooks to the stairs to keep rolls of wrapping paper organised for Christmas, birthdays and other occasions.
Our Top 10 most popular storage projects has more ideas from the Workshop community.
