Under stairs ideas: 12 clever concepts for your space
1. Compact boot room
Keep your shoes, coats and accessories stored in style by utilising the wasted space as an additional storage area.
A boot room is a lusted-after part of the home that stores coats and shoes, usually with a bench to sit and remove the items.
If space is available and plumbing permits, boot rooms also can contain sinks to wash off boots, clean pets and more.
This is a great way to reduce clutter at the entrance point to your home, whilst utilising space under your stairs.
2. Downstairs cloakroom
Are you looking to put in an extra toilet but unsure where to place it?
Your area under the stairs could be the answer to your problem, provided you have enough space in there.
It is a bigger project than many others in this list, but it could pay dividends when thinking of increasing the value of your home.
While any cloakroom would be compact, it could have enough space for a toilet, sink, small cabinet and towel rail.
Jazz up the space with some quirky bathroom wallpaper to put your own unique stamp on it.
3. Secret doors
Transform your home an own enchanted castle with your own secret hideaway under the stairs.
While you might not be able to contain magic inside, it can be a great way to keep cupboards or hidden storage.
Rather than having the under the stairs area on display, a secret door enables only the occupants to access, whilst also hiding the contents.
In a larger home, you could have a built in secret door leading to another staircase, or a hidden room. The possibilities are endless!
4. Pantry
If you’re needing somewhere to store your jars, spices and cupboard bits then a built-in pantry could be what you need.
The space under the stairs is ideal size for a pantry and you can jazz it up with fancy shelving, flooring and pretty lighting.
It’s a great stair storage idea to avoid wasting the space, and will free up space in your kitchen to put gadgets, tableware and other kitchen accessories.
5. Utility space
We’d all love the luxury of a separate utility room to keep your appliances and laundry out of the way of the rest of the home.
However, unfortunately most of us don’t have the space.
You might be able to create a smaller version for yourself, or at least stash your washing machine away with this stair storage idea.
This concept will require the plumbing of the machine to ensure success – but it can be a great way to hide your machine away, while also creating space in your kitchen.
6. Home gym
There’ll be no more excuses to avoiding leg day if you have your own designated area under the stairs.
7. Create a cocktail bar
It’s vibrant and would certainly be a focal point for any house parties.
8. Kids’ den
You could also utilise the space as a storage area for your children’s books or toys if you’re short on space in other areas of your home.
9. Under stairs snug area
It’s a great cosy space to watch your favourite show, or curl up with a book.
We also love the use of photo frames and prints here to personalise the space and we think this could work perfectly for the teenagers in your household.
10. Reading nook
Find more reading nook inspiration here.
11. Potting station
With botanicals and bringing the outside in continuing to trend throughout 2025, this is a quirky way to bring the trend into your home.
Doubling up as a home bar means your ticking two boxes in one, too.
12. Home office
Since the pandemic, working from home and hybrid working still continue but it can be tricky to find somewhere to work, especially if you don’t have your own home office.
If you’re fed up of the kitchen table, a compact area under the stairs to conduct your work could be a great solution.
We love the compact shelving, plant additions and wall light in this space.
It’s ideal to give you a permanent home-working spot without taking over the home.
