Opening up the area under hall stairs adds a feeling of spaciousness to the entrance area and provide you more room to place the hall to sensible use. The same goes regarding opening stairs up in to a room - you develop a visually interesting niche, framed by the staircase, which you can use in one of the following ways:
A Library
If you have a reasonably large space and a lot of books and magazines, how about setting way up a mini-library? Line the walls underneath the stairs with shelves - adjustable ones are a good idea, allowing you to change and alter the spacing for you to store all sizes associated with books and magazines. Painting the shelves to check the baseboard and other moldings provides the space an integrated experience. Use recessed spotlights or angled floor lamps to illuminate the books as well as to provide reading lighting. For a really high-tech touch, fix up strip lighting on the shelves themselves to highlight the books.
If space permits, add a comfortable seat, looking out into the area or hall. The stairs themselves often protect the space underneath from drafts, making it a cozy destination for a sit and browse over the books.
A Work Space
You don't need much room for the compact home office. Install a desk as well as fitted work surface along with roll-out filing cabinets or a collection of baskets underneath. Fix shelves to the particular walls above the desk and convey a swivel chair on castors. Provide a telephone jack and power outlets for electronic equipment. Multi-purpose office machines, such as a mixture phone, fax, and answering machine, fit into some amazingly small spaces.
Good lighting is vital, especially if you sit along with your back to the day light source. Wall-mounted bracket lighting could be more practical than the desk lamp, which takes up a number of the valuable, but limited, space on your work surface.
A Telephone Corner
Set up a private telephone area beneath the stairs. All you need is a phone and phone jack port, a comfortable chair, and a telephone stand - use one which has a shelf or drawer beneath for message pads, pens, and telephone books. A wall-mounted adjustable spotlight or torchere with a dimmer switch gives you enough light to see phone numbers, but allows you to be able to dim the lights to some pleasant glow for a talk to family or friends.
A Display Area
Shallow under-stair spaces installed with shelves are well suited for displaying collections of desirable objects, such as glass as well as china. Put up open shelving or place precious selections behind glass. It is also a good place to display selections of watercolors, delicate needlework or fabrics because they're usually protected from damaging contact with direct sunlight.
Closed-in Space
You may decide to close in the space under the stairs instead. Using wooden panels, tongue-and-groove boards, or sheets of plywood effectively creates a handy storage closet. If you equip the spot with plenty of tow hooks and shelves, you can store a large quantity of household paraphernalia away under there. For easy access, fit a full-size, outward-opening door a little far from the end wall, so that you can put shelves behind the entranceway as well. Make sure that the room is adequately lit, locating the light switch from the door,
under stairs toilet.
Utility space: You may even be able to keep large kitchen devices, like a freezer, tumble dryer, or washing machine within the stairs. Check out the practicalities regarding installing power outlets as well as plumbing first, of course. Also ensure that you'll be able to comply with the restrictions for adequate ventilation in windowless spaces by setting up a ventilating kit for the dryer and an exhaust fan towards the outside.
Bathroom space: In many homes, there is enough room to provide a toilet or mini-shower room beneath the stairs, as long as it is practical to supply power outlets, plumbing, and ventilation. Consult a plumber pertaining to professional advice and make sure to get a quote for the work before embarking around the conversion.
