Real Estate

12 charming ways to use the space under the stairs

Published: May 6, 2016 Updated: June 24, 2022
Bathroom under stairs
Under the stairs

The bathroom is often a space of escape, so why not put it in the ultimate hidden-away spot?

A reading nook under stairs
Under the stairs

Reading seems to be what the under-stairs space was created for. With its wedge shape, this nook is made for reclining and nothing else. It also looks like there's a window in there, a great touch.

Wine rack under stairs
Under the stairs

Wine enthusiast? The space under your stairs might just be the ideal spot to store your wine. These wood-and-wire racks give this space a modern industrial look.

Bikes hanging under stairs
Under the stairs

Finding bike storage can be tricky, but if you have "floating stairs" (stairs without anything underneath), hanging your bike on the underside of the steps is a great way of keeping them tucked away. We also happen to think it looks pretty cool.

kitchen under the stairs
Under the stairs

This tiny kitchen under the stairs is simultaneously cozy and chic, tiny and airy. Preparing meals in this space would make us feel like we were living in a storybook.

Tiny door with "wizards only" sign
Under the stairs

If you're a big fan of Harry Potter, you can always try to recreate his iconic bedroom under the stairs. That's what mother Courtney Bonnet did, making her kids some of the luckiest HP fans ever.

Mini bar under stairs
Under the stairs

The tiny under-the-stairs space is perfect for miniature installations. In this case, a mini bar. This space is the perfect place to get away and create your own signature cocktails.

Kids space
Under the stairs

This is a cute little story nook where kids can go and feel like they've truly got a space in the house to call their own.

office space under stairs
Under the stairs

You could also take the spot under the stairs for your own personal office. Having a dedicated space for work is motivational, and gives you a place you can go to clear your head and focus.

Bookshelves under stairs
Under the stairs

Under-stair storage doesn't have to be boring—especially when what you're storing is books! You can create an entire miniature library in this space, and perhaps even squeeze in a reading nook too.

Pet space under the stairs
Under the stairs

If you consider your pet a full-fledged member of your family, you might want to think about giving them their own room. This small spot is perfect for a little doghouse, or maybe a fortress of solitude for a cat. A small space in your home could allow you to spoil your pet in a huge way.

A reading nook with a tiny door next to it
Under the stairs

Here's another awesome reading nook with great wood paneling. But what we really want to know is: where does the tiny door on the left lead?

In movies and books, that miniature space beneath a flight of stairs is often where murderers live, or at the very least, it’s where Harry Potter’s family made him sleep. But that space, used properly, can be one of the best spots in a house. Think cubby holes, storage spaces, reading nooks, miniature rooms, and magical hideaways.

We’ve put together a gallery of some of the best spaces people have created under their stairs. There are nooks we can just imagine hanging out in, feeling mischievous as people walk overhead wondering where we’ve got to. And then there are other creative uses for the space, making it a storage space, an art display area, or a library. Take a look at this gallery for some inspiration of how to transform the little slice of space beneath a staircase into the best part of your home.

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