10 Clever Ways To Turn the Space Under Your Stairs Into Something Special

The most overlooked square footage in your home just might be the space under your stairs. But what if you considered that unused spot with a new perspective? Think of the area beneath your stairs as hidden real estate. Whether you live in a small home that's lacking storage or you're looking for unexpected ways to add personality to your space, these creative, designer-approved ideas will help you unlock the potential tucked under every step.

"Every home needs a signature moment, and these spaces are the perfect places to create one," says designer Betsy Bardi. "They can offer beauty and purpose." She turned this little alcove in her client’s Cary, North Carolina, home into a sophisticated drink station. She streamlined the area by painting every surface the same moody hue (Iron Ore by Sherwin-Williams), then she added lots of gold accents. The reeded cabinet hides a mini fridge and cocktail essentials. Read on for more inspiring ideas.

This Oklahoma City workstation is small but stylish. Designers at Building Culture created an arched opening that echoes the shape of the staircase railing above, and they made sure the space complemented its surroundings by using the same light oak stain on the trim and floating desk as they used on the stairs. "The sconce is a must: A nook like this is dark without its own light — and because the space is small, a wall light won’t take up valuable surface area," says designer Matt Hayes.

This tucked-away “bedroom” in Bethany Beach, Delaware, is the perfect place for a nap — or a full night’s sleep: The nook is sized just right for a twin bed. To maximize space, designer Marnie Oursler built in drawers on the bottom of the bed to hold extra linens. "This is a great nook for a beach house where you need to accommodate a lot of guests!" she says. The Gray Malin wallpaper makes the area feel extra beachy and bright.

This fun San Francisco doggie den features a custom mural, a removable bed and cute hooks to keep leashes organized. Designer Kathleen Navarra added storage underneath to hold toys and treats. "This space is right off the kitchen, where everyone, even the dog, wants to gather, so we gave him his own special spot!" she says.

Pro tip: Measure your pet from their nose to the base of their tail, then add 12 inches to find their perfect bed size.

Designer Michelle Jolas carved out a mini library for her Chicago clients under their basement stairs. "We love to make use of every area in a house, especially nooks under stairs — otherwise that space just goes to waste," she says. The chic shelves showcase the homeowners’ prized coffeetable books and hold chapter books for their kids. Michelle added plush ottomans so anyone can plop down and read for a bit.

Pro tip: The shelves look more dynamic with a mix of stacked and upright books.

"This was an unattractive staircase, but with thoughtful design, it became one of the most functional spaces in the house," says designer Maite Granda. Built-in cubbies, hooks, and surfboard racks make trips to the beach a lot easier in this Key Biscayne, Florida, home. Maite helped the drop zone blend in with the rest of the house by using a mix of white oak and painted white cabinets. The pillow is from Thibaut.

When their grandkids aren’t sleeping here, Portland, Oregon, homeowners LauraLee and Bill Symes take turns lounging on the built-in bed with a book. “By including the bed in our house plans, we made the most of our spare room’s odd angles,” says LauraLee. There’s even storage beneath for extra linens. They amped up the warmth with a fringed rug from Rejuvenation and a vintage chair and stool.

To chic up this niche — and inspire her kids to do their schoolwork — in her family’s home in the Netherlands, design influencer Mary Marrero painted the wall Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball. Then she slid in a desk and chair and hung prints, mostly from Ikea. “I’ve always seen gallery walls going up stairs,” says Mary. “Going beneath makes every inch count!” Bonus cool points for one frame propped up against the wall.

Blogger Joni Lay shares this Ellaville, Georgia, weekend house with her sister. “As our babies became toddlers, we needed an area for them to play that was within sight of the sofas but didn’t take over the living room,” she says. The corner under the stairs was totally open, and they swapped the buffet that had been there for bookshelves, toys and a chalkboard. The kid-size armchairs and circular table with bookshelves are from RH Baby & Child. Says Joni, “The kids love cozying up in here — and the grown-ups do too!”

“This area, which is part of a large entertaining room in a house in North Haven, New York, used to be empty, so we had the idea to continue the bar cabinets from around the corner,” says designer Timothy Godbold. He maxed out wall space by varying the lengths of the reclaimed oak shelves, where bottles and glasses look fab shown off. Even the way they’re arranged (alternating bottles and glasses, plus a group on a tray) has style.