Under Stairs Storage Ideas - From Bathrooms to Bookshelves!

Hi Friends!

I know there are a lot of people who are building homes and wondering how they could best use the empty space under their stairs.  

So with this post, I compiled a BUNCH of fun ideas for you. :-)

I love the craftsman/coastal feel of this home below. By adding glass doors with a grid, it made this storage area a perfect addition to their home decor.  It was a great way to make the most out of the empty stair space.

BHG.com

If you have a large enough space - why not use the area under the stairs for a guest bathroom.  

And if all else fails :-)  Turn the space into a little reading nook.  So cozy!

southern living

One thing that often gets missed when buying a new home (or building one) is a space for the pets.  If you have a dog like mine, you can understand the frustration of continually having to step over your sleeping pet as they plop down right in the middle of a high traffic area. /-:

Using the extra stair space for a pet area is a GREAT idea!

  

And if you ever need to sell your home and the people looking didn't have any pets - just tell them it's a hideout for the kids.  :-)  Honestly, what kid wouldn't love a space like that!  All they need is a flashlight and a good imagination for hours of spy like fun. 

In my new home, we don't have any extra stair space but I did think through where we could put the dog bowls.  I knew there was some extra wall space off the kid cubby area so we did a little built in dog dish area.  It's been PERFECT, I no longer worry about kicking or tripping over the dog dishes.  (I now just trip over and kick the DOG when he's sleeping!) 

These next few pictures have a lot of my favorite elements - dark wood and black iron.  I love the idea of a wine rack built into the extra stair space.   

Manning Marable

In my own home, we took the empty space by the kitchen bar and turned it into a computer area with a wine rack above.  Yes, that is where I sit every day typing blog posts and emailing.  It's now stocked with lots of wine in case I need a drink....which is often. :-) 

I LOVE this staircase and what a great idea to build little drawers and bookshelves into the side.  I'm sure the extra storage in this smaller size kitchen is much appreciated.

The home below happens to be Reese Witherspoon's home.  What a fantastic idea to make an arch cut out under the stairs to form a small office space.  Simply beautiful.

live journal

Another classic idea is to turn the area under the stairs into a bookshelf.  

You can't go wrong with adding drawers for extra storage space!  

Indulgy


I like this idea because it is simple.  The stair space was left open and the homeowners added a desk and chair.  Simple yet very efficient.  





And this last idea is gorgeous.  Now a days, more than ever before, having a small space for our laptops is a must!  This space is perfect and they really put it to great use.

BHG

I hope you guys have enjoyed looking through this post and marking it for your future home or fun ideas on your current home!

Have a great weekend!

Coastal Home Decor Ideas - Beach Theme

Hi Friends!

As you can tell, I am still thinking about warmer weather home decor!

If you have any beach trips planned this summer - PIN this post :-)  I collected a bunch of driftwood/beach themed ideas for your home (or your beach home!) 

How about the next time you head to the beach, collect some driftwood for a basket (as long as it's OK to do that on the beach you are at!) Wire baskets have so much character and you can usually find them on eBay, other fun home decor stores and antique shops.

This fish makes such a BOLD statement - what a fun idea to build a fish out of driftwood!  I completely agree with the art verbiage. "The Beach, where doing absolutely nothing, IS doing something"  I think I'm ready to go to Aruba. :-)

This That and Life

I know this isn't driftwood but what a clever idea for the guest room in a beach house!  Old oars used as a headboard - I love it!

This is such a simple idea, but it beats putting up an old metal rod!  Hang a piece of driftwood to add some character to your laundry room (or that could just be in a babies room....as extra hanging space?)

Do any of you guys collect sea glass?  I enjoy looking for sea glass when I go to the ocean. If you aren't familiar with what that is,  they are glass shards found on the shoreline given up by the sea after years of being tumbled naturally by currents, waves and other elements in the ocean water such as salt, sand, shells, rocks and miscellaneous beach debris.  Some people call sea glass, mermaid tears......a rather fun and fitting if you as me. :-)  

I could see this sea glass sign in any beach home!

Live Coastal Etsy

If you have always wondered what to do with your collection (or your kids collection!) of seashells how about trying this! Buy some wooden letters at any craft store and hot glue your ocean treasures onto the wood.

Live Coastal Etsy

Lastly, I recently added some fun beach "debris" to my son's Explorer theme room.   The map on canvas is one of my most popular posts.  You can click the link to see my step by step tutorial how to make your own map on canvas.

To be honest, I'm not even sure WHAT these round airy wooden things are, but I liked them. :-)

Like always, I hope to get your own Creative Juices flowing so the next time you are at the beach, you can load up your car with drift wood and have your significant other think you've officially lost it!  I blame it on the artist in all of us.   :-) 

Till next week  :-)