5 Ways to Put Your Staircase Base and Landing to Use
You can tailor a reading nook, a gallery or even a small green haven out of the wasted space on and around the staircase
The under-stairs area, the intermediate landings, the area between two parallel flights and the walls of the staircase or stairwell are often overlooked and left underused in homes. In architectural language, such spaces are called dead spaces. Often, dead spaces have oddly-shaped volumes, are awkwardly placed or are too small to incorporate a function. But with some clever thinking, these zones can be turned into little nooks to relax in, green oases to rest your eyes on, nifty storage spots or mini galleries, all conjured out of nothing.
Your staircase can do so much more than just allow you to access floors. Take a look at these ideas and get inspired to maximise every inch of your staircase.
Your staircase can do so much more than just allow you to access floors. Take a look at these ideas and get inspired to maximise every inch of your staircase.
Who wouldn’t want a special spot to relax in, tucked away somewhere quiet in the house? Notice how a chic armchair bestows personality and function to this otherwise plain area under the stairs here. What a fine spot it is for some ‘me’ time!
Does your staircase landing have a huge window with a view? If yes, you have got a potential space to build a window seat right there. Also, it makes a lot of sense to fit in some seating to transform any bland landing midway up the stairs into something functional.
If you are in no mood to take up a carpentry job, you can simply add a couple of chairs or a bench by the landing window, too. The sill could double as a coffee table, as you enjoy the view outside with a companion.
If you are in no mood to take up a carpentry job, you can simply add a couple of chairs or a bench by the landing window, too. The sill could double as a coffee table, as you enjoy the view outside with a companion.
2. Lay out an indoor sanctuary
Open staircases, particularly those which face living areas, can be perked up to be the highlight of the home. One way to do that is to accessorise the stairwell with a water body and, perhaps, even landscaping. Here, a stairwell works as the perfect backdrop to the sitting area.
Open staircases, particularly those which face living areas, can be perked up to be the highlight of the home. One way to do that is to accessorise the stairwell with a water body and, perhaps, even landscaping. Here, a stairwell works as the perfect backdrop to the sitting area.
It all comes down to the amount of area available and what you want to do with it. Not all of you would wish for a water body inside your home. You can still create a green patch with indoor plants and top it up with sculptures and good lighting. Less work, but equally effective.
3. Position a sideboard or console table
Just as in foyers and dining spaces, a sideboard, a chest of drawers or console table can be a useful accessory for extra storage and display near or under staircases, too. You can add a few accents to zing up the space.
Just as in foyers and dining spaces, a sideboard, a chest of drawers or console table can be a useful accessory for extra storage and display near or under staircases, too. You can add a few accents to zing up the space.
Here, a sideboard has been placed along the staircase and a console table added midway on the landing. The painting above it creates a much-needed focal point in the all-white decor, while adding a punch of character to the otherwise muted space.
4. Line up cabinets
A home can never have too much storage (at least, not mine). The walls adjacent or under the stairway flight can have open shelves and cabinets to produce auxiliary storage out of a dead zone. I like how the wall unit blends with the clean, contemporary lines of the staircase in this picture.
Look at these ingenious bookshelf designs in surprising spots
A home can never have too much storage (at least, not mine). The walls adjacent or under the stairway flight can have open shelves and cabinets to produce auxiliary storage out of a dead zone. I like how the wall unit blends with the clean, contemporary lines of the staircase in this picture.
Look at these ingenious bookshelf designs in surprising spots
If the entrance to your home is through a staircase, you can set it off by using the base, landing, and even the walls to store shoes, carry bags and other paraphernalia of going out. Or you can simply have floor stands and shoe racks to fulfil the purpose. This will let you reduce clutter around the main door.
5. Galler-ise!
A display (of pots, planters, artefacts) can attract the eye and up the decor game of any space. You can use the staircase base and landing walls to create a tableau or a gallery to showcase art, decorative pieces and your favourite collectibles.
A display (of pots, planters, artefacts) can attract the eye and up the decor game of any space. You can use the staircase base and landing walls to create a tableau or a gallery to showcase art, decorative pieces and your favourite collectibles.
If you have got a lot of wall space (and you have a thing for photo walls), the landing walls could be a great setting for your picture collages and photo frames. See how the framed pictures infuse life into the narrow landing area here.
Read more:
10 Staircase Designs for Small Spaces
12 Amazing Under-Stairs Planning and Decorating Ideas
Tell us:
How have you made your staircase spaces work for you? Share pictures in Comments below.
Read more:
10 Staircase Designs for Small Spaces
12 Amazing Under-Stairs Planning and Decorating Ideas
Tell us:
How have you made your staircase spaces work for you? Share pictures in Comments below.
Do you see how seamlessly the base of this staircase develops into a pleasant informal corner? The thoughtfully placed cushions and decorative accent pieces keep the space looking serene and inviting. This alcove could be a perfect refuge to enjoy some music and a cuppa.
An awkward recess or excess space on the stairway landing can also be turned into a charming snug den. Just a cushion and a throw could work for landings, too.