30 Clever Uses for Space Under the Stairs

If you are one of the fortunate few who has a staircase with storage space underneath then get ready for some clever uses for all of that space. Author J.K. Rowling made this space popular when she decided to have the Dursley’s build Harry Potter’s room under the stairs. Harry may not have enjoyed living under the stairs, but that shouldn’t stop you from using some of these ingenious ideas for your own home.

Have you ever dreamed of having a tiny library or a wine cellar? These are just some of the many things you can do with this space. It all depends on the size and shape of your staircase when it comes to deciding how to make the best use of this space. You can shell out the big bucks for an interior designer to tell you what to do, or you can get creative. Choose from one of the many ideas below, and make that space under your staircase a focal point in your home. Or simply use it for storage, the sky is the limit here. Just grab some paint, arm yourself with some power tools, and get to work creating your dream space.

The Perfect Pantry

Not all homes come with built-in pantries. This happens for a variety of reasons. It could be that it is an older home, and wasn’t designed with a pantry off of the kitchen. Another reason might be that the square footage of the home simply didn’t allow for enough space for one. Unless you are designing your own home, pantries are not found in every house.

That’s not a problem though if you have a staircase. The space underneath can be hollowed out, and have shelving units installed. Doors to the space can be constructed as well. This will ensure that any children can’t get into the pantry and dip their fingers into any treats inside.

A Hideaway China Cabinet

China is one of those things that needs to be stored properly. China plates, teacups, gravy boats, and tureens all need to be stored in a cool area. As well, china tends to be very fragile, especially if it has been inherited for many generations.

If you don’t want to store your china in a traditional china cabinet, then consider using the space under your stairs. You can create sliding shelves that slide in and out of the space. Typically, you can fit about two to three sliding shelves, which makes for excellent storage. None of the china will ever be jostled or broken if stored in this manner.

A Pet Feeding Station

If you don’t need a pet kennel, then consider creating a feeding station for your dog or cat. Most pet owners feed their pets at specific times each day. You don’t want your pets to overeat, which means food bowls should be tucked away when feeding is finished.

This slide out pet bowl drawer is perfect for the pet owner that wants an easy clean-up. There’s even space for a dog or cat bed on top of it.

The Slide Out Pantry

While it is easy to create a pantry with doors, a slide out pantry may be a good option as well. Like the slide out china shelving, the pantry shelving can be designed to hold different foodstuffs of varying heights.

Condiments tend to be a similar height. Carefully measure the height of the shelves in each slide out portion, you will want to make sure everything fits properly. There is nothing more annoying than building something, only to find out it doesn’t fit.