The cupboard under the stairs is near-universally understood to be something of a no-man’s land; somewhere that appliances and other ‘objects without a home’ are unceremoniously shoved, particularly when guests are imminent. But this space could be used for so much more! 

There are myriad ways in which you might be struggling for space at home, and in which your underutilised under-stairs space could provide vital function. There are also some modern conveniences you could introduce to your home with little more than a day’s planning and an afternoon’s elbow grease. Your cupboard under the stairs could, essentially, suit a grander purpose. But what purposes could it suit exactly?

A Mini-Library

A fun way to utilise this difficult space is to render it a space with its own character – by filling it with books. No matter the dimensions of a space or alcove, there is always the option to fill it with shelves and render it, at the very least, a lively display for some treasured possessions.

If you plan your under-stairs space well enough, you might be able to fit more than one set of shelves in, in effect creating a cosy mini-library. You might find your new library to hold a surprising number of books, potentially freeing up vital space in other areas of the home. 

A Home Office

If your under-stairs cupboard is ample enough – or even if it is an alcove in an otherwise open-plan space – then you might be able to repurpose it for more active duties. With remote working opportunities on the rise, and with more people considering working for themselves, more of us need access to a home office than before. In a pinch, or in homes where space is already at a premium, you could use this under-stairs space to create a professional working area.

While there may not be enough room for a full desk and swivel chair, some careful design choices can still get you towards a useful and comfortable space in which to work. You could install a wall-mounted fold-down desk, with bookshelves and document trays framing it; this way, your work station is ready to go with the flip of a catch. 

A Coat Wardrobe

One of the more conventional ways you could seek to use your under-stair space is by turning into a wardrobe for coats and shoes – making for the perfect way to welcome guests into your home without cluttering up your hallway. Given the awkward shape, a custom option would work best – with shaped doors fitted to the angle of your staircase, and a waist-high coat-rack to maximise hanging space.

You could also install additional piping towards the floor, to act as a shoe rack and hold seasonal footwear such as boots and slippers. The more space you leave for potential visitors, the better. Any unused space can be given to the storage of other rare-use items, from gloves and hats to ice scrapers and de-icers for your car.

A Space for Utilities

In many cases, your under-stair space will already be home to some of the more practical elements of your home – including your water stopcock, and gas and electricity meters. If this is the case, you might lean into ‘utility’ and make your cupboard under the stairs a one-stop space for all things practical. 

If you have room, you could situate your washer-dryer in the space, tucking it away and leaving extra space in your kitchen for something like a dishwasher. Shelf space could be created for miscellaneous tools and DIY supplies, such as screws and hooks. You might even make it a re-supply hub for household needs, from tea candles to nappies and beyond.

A Secret Wine Cabinet

But under-stair spaces do not need to be reserved entirely for practical utility. Indeed, you have a unique opportunity here to create something utterly unique for your home, practicality be damned. One excellent way to take this to heart is by installing a wine cabinet.

Even if you aren’t much of a wine drinker, your under-stair space could become a fantastic drinks pantry. Your space design will need to consider thermal and humidity-related issues, particularly if you’re hoping to store older wines – but whatever you settle on, having a bespoke pantry for your fanciest beverages can be an intriguing and luxurious way to repurpose your extant space at home.

A Reading Nook

Lastly, you don’t even need your under-floor space to be storage! Your space could come into its own in becoming a retreat on its own terms. A simple renovation, and the inclusion of a small bean-bag, could be all it takes to turn your spare storage space into the cosiest room in your home.

If you take this to its logical conclusion, you could pull out all the stops and install accent lighting directly into the stud walls of your new reading nook. With some smoky paint and an in-built shelf for holding drinks and snacks, your under-stair space has elevated to something magnificent.

Author : Caitlin Elliott