When designing or even already building a two-story or two-level house, it is recommended to immediately think through issues of how to design the space under the stairs. Lead time will be particularly important in cases where the beneficial use of this area will require the provision of various engineering communications, the installation of which is carried out at the stage of foundation construction.

Features of the arrangement of the under-staircase space depend on several factors: on the location of the staircase itself, on its dimensions - width, height and length in plan, on the possibility of connecting water supply and sewerage to this area, and, of course, on the planned overall interior design.

There can be many interesting solutions for the useful use of such seemingly “lost space” - it could be a built-in kitchen set, bookshelves, sleeping or working place, various cabinets, chests of drawers, pantry, hallway and even a bathroom.

Types of stairs, and what kind of space is formed under them

Before you can determine how to usefully use the space under the stairs, you need to choose its design, which will determine how much space it will take up in the house and how much area will be formed under it.

There are many types of stairs, and the choice of a particular one depends primarily on how much space can be allocated for it in the house. It is necessary to understand that the more compact its design, the less space is created under it.

— a rational arrangement of elements should be provided kitchen furniture for comfortable food processing and cooking, as well as for convenient dishwashing.

In order to determine all these nuances, it is recommended to draw up detailed drawing indicating the location of each element, and put all dimensions to scale. Even if it is a simple drawing, like the one shown in the figure, it will still be easier to navigate when drawing up a detailed plan for your kitchen under the stairs.

Bathroom.

Another rather difficult, but solvable task is the arrangement of a bathroom under the stairs.

If the stairs are located at external wall, then there should not be any special problems with connecting sewerage and water supply to the area below it.

If there is a lot of space under the stairs, it needs to be organized in such a way that it can accommodate a toilet, a sink, and also mount a mirror and towel racks on the wall. Perfect option, if it also fits .

The increased complexity in organizing a bathroom in the space under the stairs is also due to the need to construct a well-fitted door. In addition, it is very important for this room to provide and install effective ventilation, since condensation cannot be allowed to accumulate on the walls, which will negatively affect the wooden elements of the staircase.

It is better to decorate the bathroom in light colors and not choose large tiles, as they will visually make the room smaller. In addition, it is recommended to mount a fairly large mirror on the wall - it will also help visual expansion premises. An important point in this case is the correct lighting - it is advisable to make it quite intense.

Other space arrangement options.

When arranging a hallway, sleeping area, cabinets, chests of drawers, pantry, workplace or other options under the stairs, a number of other nuances are taken into account:

- you will need to provide power supply and install a switch and socket, organize sufficient lighting of the space;

— appropriately sized accessories with the required functionality must be thought out;

— a very important requirement is that the ceiling of the room or area under the stairs does not have cracks or gaps. The fact is that dust will inevitably collect under the steps, and when vibrations from steps occur, it can fall from above into the furnished space.

Video: several original solutions for the rational use of under-staircase space

We do it ourselves - an original spacious closet in the space under the stairs

One of the most popular ways to use the space under the stairs is to install shelves or pull-out cabinets. An example of how similar work can be done under an existing staircase, with closed plasterboard the space underneath will be discussed below.

Prices for sliding wardrobes

closet

Manufacturing and installation of cabinet frame structure

Illustration
	In this case, the space will be arranged under a small staircase, which means the area under it will not be too spacious. But even such a small area can be used quite rationally. Earlier, during the construction of the staircase to the second floor, the space under it was sheathed with sheets of plasterboard, part of which, by the way, can be usefully used to create future decoration.
	The first step is to mark the previously installed sheets. On them using a ruler, building level and a pencil or marker, lines are drawn defining the area that will need to be removed. When making markings, it is necessary to take into account the height of the steps of the stairs, since they must remain covered with plasterboard sheathing. In addition, the location of the guides of the frame structure on which the drywall is fixed is also taken into account. The areas where these elements are installed can be identified by screwed-in screws. Vertical side lines are drawn with an indentation of 25÷30 mm from the screws. The top line of the future cutout should pass along the lower points of the steps and be parallel to the cut line of the drywall fixed along the the highest points steps.
	The middle part is cut out along the drawn lines plasterboard sheathing– An electric jigsaw is perfect for this operation. Here you need to take into account that in places where the drywall is adjacent to the frame guides, it is cut off with a sharp construction knife, and unscrew the screws with a screwdriver.
	After the excess part of the drywall has been removed, the remaining edges are trimmed using a hacksaw along the entire perimeter of the opening. The vertical sides are cut exactly along the inner edge of the side vertical guides of the frame. In addition to the fact that excess material will be removed, the edges of the resulting triangle will also be aligned, with the lower acute corner truncated.
	When finishing material will be removed, a space will open up that needs to be arranged for installing a cabinet in it. The cut out drywall is temporarily removed for now, as it will now interfere with further work.
	In addition to the empty space, a wooden frame construction, which must also be carefully partially dismantled.
	The frame bars are cut along the top line of the drywall at the same angle as the remaining drywall facing. The work is carried out with the help electric jigsaw or reciprocating saw.
	Cut off at the top vertical racks the battens are disconnected from the lower horizontal beam, which then also must be carefully removed without damaging the floor covering.
	Next, in the lower part of the truncated triangle, at its upper vertex, the angle is measured (in the case under consideration it was 49 degrees). This parameter is necessary for the end cut of the board, which will become one of the parts of the opening frame. The board is taken 150 mm wide and 25÷30 mm thick.
	Ready, cut from the end under the right angle The board is tried on to the place where it is fixed. It must be installed exactly flush with the cut drywall.
	Next, in the same way, with precise adjustment at the corners, the entire perimeter of the cut-out space is framed. The boards are secured between the scraps of vertical posts remaining after dismantling. As a result, the installed ones should turn out to be solid inner surface, onto which external boards will then be attached, which will create a “finish” frame for the cut opening.
	This illustration clearly shows the resulting structure at this stage, after securing the internal wooden lintels. Then you need to attach the cut edge of the drywall to them using self-tapping screws - this will achieve maximum strength of the edges of the opening.
	If necessary, another wooden strip is attached from below to the stair stringer in order to add thickness to it to the general level of the line of drywall and boards fixed immediately behind it.
	Next, a board is attached to the beam, installed vertically on the high side of the triangular opening, from its rear part. It will be necessary for fixation finished design shelves
	The next step is to finish framing the cut opening. To do this, along its entire perimeter, to the previously fixed internal boards, boards are installed and screwed, which should completely cover the unsightly picture of the drywall cut.
	In order for the frame to look neat, the end parts of each of the boards are carefully adjusted to a certain, pre-measured angle. Only in this case will they fit tightly to each other.
	Before fixing these structural elements with self-tapping screws, their ends are coated with wood glue and glued together at the corners. Wherein vertical boards are set according to the level - if a distortion is detected, then small spacers are made from thinner wooden wedges between the inner and outer boards.
	The next step, at the site of future installation, is to form the frame of the front part of the shelf structure. The boards intended for this purpose are temporarily fixed to the opening framing boards already attached to the stairs. In addition, the frame boards are fastened together at the corners.
	Next, the installation of the middle vertical bars is marked on the temporary frame. Marking is carried out using a building level. These elements will be the façade for the walls of the shelf structure.
	Then, the bars are cut at the angle of inclination of the stairs. Their height should be equal to the distance between the upper and lower, horizontally installed board. There should be two such jumpers, and they are installed at the same distance from each other and from the side posts, that is, the length of the opening is divided by exactly three.
	Next, the temporarily fixed bars are removed from the opening, and from them flat surface the front frame structure for the shelves is laid out. Then they are finally fastened together according to the markings.
	For the convenience of gluing individual parts into a single structure, short wooden blocks are evenly laid out under the mating parts. They will also help to align the frame to the same level. This is how the vertical bars are positioned and secured, and then the horizontal jumpers.
	The transverse structural elements will determine the number of shelves or drawers. They are placed between vertical guides so that the shelves installed in different sections of the structure are at the same level. Of course, it is important to maintain the perpendicularity of the parts being connected.
	The connection can be made in different ways - these can be wooden choppers (dowels, dowels), cuts and installation of special fastening parts in them with glue, for example, wooden dowels. After the entire structure is assembled and glued, it is clamped in clamps until the glue dries completely.
	This photo shows one of the elements with which the individual bars are held together in general design– a wooden dowel installed in the place of the connecting unit.
	While the front part of the structure’s frame is drying, you can start making partition walls that will be installed between the rows of shelves. They are made from plywood 10–15 mm thick, onto which a frame of planks cut from the same plywood is attached using glue. These elements are needed to enhance the rigidity of the partitions.
	Glue is again applied to the fixed planks and another sheet of plywood is glued on top of them. The entire structure is additionally secured with staples or self-tapping screws, and its thickness is compressed with clamps. In this case, there are three such walls - they have different heights, equal to the vertical bars of the front part of the frame of the structure, which was assembled earlier. Their width should be equal to the depth of the space under the stairs
	The next step is to cut out the back wall, which will hold the partitions together. To avoid mistakes, the finished front frame is laid on a sheet of plywood, then outlined with a pencil, and then the required figure is cut out with a jigsaw.
	The vertical partition walls are fastened together with a common jumper - a board, which will fix them in the front part from above. All planes must be aligned to the building level. Then, the back side of the walls is also fastened at the top with a wooden plank. After this, the rear plywood wall is fitted to the structure and secured.
	The structure is rotated and laid on the back wall, which has just been fixed, and the end sides of the front part of the dividing partitions are coated with glue.
	The next step is to lay the wooden frame of the front part of the structure on top of the coated end sides. It is carefully leveled and then secured with self-tapping screws.
	Now, using glue and then self-tapping screws, you can fasten the lowest wall, that is, the side wall on the truncated side of the triangle. All glued parts of the structure are again fixed with clamps.
	Next, the location of the roller guides for the shelves is marked on the inner walls.
	Two guides are temporarily secured on both sides of the partition with a special clamp, which allows you to set them exactly in the desired plane and screw them perfectly evenly on the surface and in relation to each other.
	The next step is to fix the guides on the walls with self-tapping screws 15÷17 mm long.
	After the roller guides are secured, a wide board is dismantled from the top of the structure, which provided temporary fixation of the frame, as it is no longer needed. Instead, a sheet of plywood 8÷10 mm thick, prepared to size, is laid on the upper end sides of the partitions.
	The plywood is secured to the end faces of the partitions and side walls using staples or self-tapping screws.
	In this photo you can see the fully assembled structure and evaluate its quality.
	Then the finished frame is carefully pushed into place - into the opening under the stairs.
	Before final fixing it, you must once again check the verticality of the installation. It's not too late to make small adjustments by placing thin wooden wedges in the right places.
	After the structure is installed perfectly straight and fixed, the gaps around its perimeter can be closed with a neat narrow glazing bead, and a decorative plinth can be secured at the bottom.

Making drawers

Now we should consider several important points in the manufacture of drawers.

In this version, the master chose plywood 20 mm thick, but high-quality 10 mm material is also quite suitable for this purpose. They are quite suitable for these purposes and chipboards standard thickness of 16 or 18 mm.

The main nuances in this process are the preparation of parts and their fastening, which will be discussed further.

The first step is to take dimensions from the opening in which the box will be installed - width, height and depth - and it will be made according to them. In addition, you need to accurately determine the location of the guides along which the shelf will run.

Illustration	Brief description of the operation performed
	Based on the obtained dimensions, all the elements of the box are marked and drawn on the prepared sheet of plywood. It is very important to ensure that all angles are right. The next step is to cut out all the parts of the box, and their edges are processed until smooth.
	To ensure that the assembly of parts is smooth and strong, first the side walls are installed on the edges of the back, and their place of fastening is drawn. The same is done with the front wall.
	The next step is to drill through holes with a diameter of 8 mm in the marked places for furniture confirmations (euroscrews), through which the back and front walls will be screwed to the side ones. There should be two such holes on each side.
	By drilled holes The centers of the holes are outlined at the end of the side wall, with a diameter of 5 mm and a depth of about 50 mm. The walls are assembled, confirmations are inserted into the holes, and then they are tightened using a screwdriver with a hexagonal bit.
	Other drawer junction boxes are assembled in the same way. Confirmats will provide good structural rigidity. True, if plywood with a thickness of 10 millimeters or less is used to make the box, then confirmats will not work, and you will have to use ordinary screws with a diameter of 3.5 ÷ 4 mm.
	To find out whether the box is assembled evenly, you need to measure and compare its diagonals - they must be the same length.
	Next, a hole is drilled in the front of the drawer through which the handle should be attached to the panel. It must be said that very often an additional panel of more thin plywood, but slightly larger than the main wall. It is first glued and then fixed with screws from the inside of the box. The size of the screw must be selected so that it is 5 mm shorter than the total thickness of the front wall including the front panel.
	After securing the handle, the bottom part is secured to the box - usually this is done using self-tapping screws. The bottom panel will finally fix the box in the required rectangular configuration. After this, the finished box can be subjected to the necessary finishing– cleaning with fine-grain sandpaper, polishing, painting, varnishing, covering with laminating film, etc. Sometimes this operation is left until the very end of the work.
	The next step is to mark the side walls of the drawer along the roller guides that were previously installed in the cabinet design. A careful fitting is carried out, and if it goes well, the guides can be secured with self-tapping screws, the length of which should also not exceed 15 mm. All the boxes are assembled in the same way, and, as we have seen, their front panel can have a more complex shape, and the height of the side walls can vary. But this does not significantly affect the technology of their manufacture and assembly. After this it will be possible to carry out general assembly cabinet and its final finishing with all components to perfection. As a result, a beautiful and very functional piece of furniture appeared in the space under the stairs

For the space under the stairs, cabinets and another, simpler one can be made, or vice versa - complex design, which, for example, pull out from the wheel wells, and the division into separate sections and shelves is already done inside. The advantage of this option is that the cabinets can always be completely pulled out from the under-staircase niche in order to carry out general cleaning inside it.

Even if the house has enough space for all the rooms necessary for comfortable living, the space under the stairs will never be superfluous, and it must be used to the maximum rationally. There will always be a lot of useful things on the farm that their owners do not use every day, but they should have established place storage An equipped under-staircase niche is also perfect for this.

Therefore, when planning the construction two-story house and the distribution of communications along it, it is advisable to decide in advance whether and how the area under the stairs will be used. Well, during the final finishing, all this can be decorated in the same style as the room in which the staircase structure will be located. And then a well-equipped and beautifully designed useful space will organically, without burdening the interior, fit into the overall design, and sometimes even become an eye-catching “highlight” of the room.

Many owners of country cottages, multi-level townhouses, private houses and summer cottages are faced with the problem of arranging the space under the stairs indoors. It's a pity to lose part usable area, if the room has a marching or screw structure with platforms and steps. To wisely use the free space, you can install a built-in cabinet under the stairs, made according to an individual project and drawing. Any design and design ideas, so the owner wins doubly - he gets functional furniture and effectively uses the space under the stairs.

Currently, built-in wardrobes are mounted under the stairwells in two-story cottage, multi-level room, architecture country house are no longer considered an exotic design option and belong to common furniture items. Built-in structures organically complement the interior, effectively combining with the staircase and the decor of the room. Purpose of furniture – proper use free space under the stairs. In this case, the closet located under the stairs is functional design for ergonomic use of furniture in Everyday life. Features and advantages of original furniture:

rational use of free space for compact installation of furniture for various purposes - library, mini dressing room, storage module, hallway, workplace;
absence of unused and inconvenient areas - a cabinet made strictly according to the dimensions of the space under the stairs is distinguished by ergonomics and functionality;
installation of a built-in type structure - installing a stationary model under the stairs is irrational, since the walls, roof, floor will take away useful centimeters of space;
implementation of non-standard design solutions, the ability to mount a cabinet model of any design in an empty area under the stairs - sliding compartment, hinged, cabinet, cabinet, rack;
an aesthetically attractive addition to the interior of the room, visual effect a complete tandem of a cabinet and a staircase (flight, spiral, on rails or stringers);
the versatility of the products in the living space - it is important to install cabinets under the stairs in a private house, cottage, townhouse, or country house.

Furniture companies are engaged in the manufacture of cabinets according to individual projects customers after measuring the free space for installation of the product. As an option, you can make a simple cabinet in the under-stairs area yourself - it’s easy to equip a rack with open shelves with your own hands. In built-in models load-bearing elements the walls of the room protrude, the roof is the steps of the stairs, the bottom of the cabinet is the floor in the room, but you can install a separate slab made of modern particle board materials.

Kinds

In a private house, cottage, or country house, two types of stairs are installed - marching stairs with straight flights of steps, intermediate platforms, and spiral ones, the design of which is made in a spiral around the supporting axis. Building a closet into the space of a spiral staircase is problematic - it’s easier to limit yourself to creating a small corner for relaxation with a compact table, install a chest of drawers or a cabinet. Spiral structures are equipped with a main support on which degrees are hung. The staircase to the attic or floor looks attractive as an independent element of the interior, takes up little space, so cabinets are built under the flight steps. Main types of cabinets:

compartment model - fits perfectly with all interior styles, takes up a minimum of free space. It's attractive that the doors can be finished various options facades, use photo printing, sandblasting for decoration, mirror panels. The internal filling of the cabinet depends on the size of the space under the stairs. It is convenient to install compartments with a sliding door system under small and medium-turn staircases;
built-in wardrobe with hinged doors – optimal solution for spacious rooms. When developing a project, you need to take into account the free space for opening doors. You can use this option to equip a hallway, equipping the furniture with a mirror, devices for storing outerwear, baskets for shoes, drawers for small items, accessories, key holders, stands for umbrellas, hats. If there is a small usable area, a storage room will be equipped here;
a retractable wardrobe based on the principle of a spacious chest of drawers - furniture sections can be mounted in horizontal and vertical versions, as in the photo below. Structural elements(boxes with a slanted top) move on roller wheels, so they do not leave mechanical damage on the floor covering. In spacious retractable modules it is convenient to store large items, clothes, sports equipment (skates, skis, golf sets) or household appliances for cleaning;
shelving with open shelves - often used to equip a library in the under-staircase space. Shelves of different sizes are built into the free niche, fixing the parts on the back and side walls. Open shelving looks organically in a home living room - you can use them to equip cozy corner with memorabilia, souvenirs, family photos, books. It should be taken into account that dust settles faster on open shelves, so the rack needs to be cleaned frequently;
a combined version of furniture is an interesting design solution that combines open sections with closed modules. Behind the doors in the high part of the closet it is convenient to store casual outerwear, and open shelves are suitable for placing original interior items - vases, figurines, fresh flowers and other things. If it allows inner space, a TV is built into the niche, audio and video equipment is placed on the shelves, as in the photo presented.

The space under the stairs can be equipped with a cabinet for any purpose, the area under the steps can be equipped with a bar counter, and shelves for storing a wine collection. The main condition is that the furniture material, decorative fittings, and cabinet finishes must be combined with the staircase in style and color to create a solid structure that complements the interior of the room.

Swing

Retractable

Facade decoration

What gives a closet its designer flair? Original design of facades, for the manufacture of which a variety of materials can be used. There is no need to make a case for a built-in wardrobe, but as an option, the staircase to the attic can be supplemented with a case model. Main materials used on furniture production, - MDF and chipboard, less often - natural solid wood. You can implement and design facades in several options:

mirror panels - visually expand the space of the room, look appropriate in the hallway or dressing room. Behind the mirrored doors you can hide hangers for outerwear, shoe racks, shelves for hats and accessories;
facades with photo printing - using professional equipment a drawing is applied to the base using technology laser engraving, ultraviolet printing. Photographic quality finishing gives images a realistic appearance;
sandblasting on tinted glass. Very interesting design ideas - matte images that give the space near the stairs a luxurious and sophisticated look. Sandblasting designs are not erased and do not require complex care;
glossy plastic facades - this design visually increases the room space, looks impressive in contrast with the floor and carpeted. Plastic is affordable, facades are presented in a wide color palette;
rattan or bamboo doors. The decoration is relevant for interiors in ethnic and oriental styles. The material is light and looks simple and natural. Rattan and bamboo can be incorporated into a minimalist interior style.

In addition, decorative leather is used to decorate the facades - it goes well with furniture made of natural wood. If the staircase to the attic is made in a simple style, with minimal decor, you can equip a modest storage room, and use vertical louvered sashes as façade panels. Such a cabinet looks inconspicuous under the stairs and does not focus attention on the niche under it.

The cabinet rack is equipped with open shelves, so all things and objects will be in sight. If you need to close some sections, it is preferable to install combined furniture.

Popular furniture design ideas are an open section and shelves with curves, a middle compartment, a compartment with a hinged door or a drawer with decorative panel. You can choose any design for the cabinet under the stairs, but the decoration of the facades should be in harmony with the design of the steps, the rest of the furniture, and the style of the room.

Glossy

Mirror

Photo printing

How to fit into the interior

The staircase to the attic or second floor, depending on the size of the room, can be located along one of the walls, start in the central part of the room, and have turns and curves. The easiest way to install a cabinet is under the stairs, located along the wall - you can mount lightweight design, which complements the flights of stairs. The main advantage of using the space under the stairs is that interior elements can be made invisible or, on the contrary, attention can be focused on an interesting idea for decorating a room. Depending on the room and building in which you need to equip the space under the stairs, you can choose several ways to harmoniously fit the closet:

if the staircase to the attic, second or third floors is located near the entrance doors, it is worth installing a hallway or dressing area with storage systems under the steps. The room does not have to be additionally equipped with furniture with hangers for outerwear, shoe shelves, hooks for umbrellas, bags;
when the stairs to the upper floors are located in the living room, the space under the stairs is convenient to use for arranging an open library shelving with bookshelves, a wine library, a “souvenir” shop, and a relaxation area with a TV. Option - combined wardrobe with several closed sections;
in a narrow under-staircase space, it is appropriate to install deep and tall retractable cabinets under the stairs, equipped with Cargo extension mechanisms, as an inconspicuous pantry for storing bulky items and items that are needed every day - children's toys, sports equipment, ironing board;
In modern two-level apartments, a staircase is a mandatory attribute. The first tier is traditionally used as a living room, kitchen, and dining area, while the second level is used for sleeping and working space. Under the stairs you can effectively fit a cupboard or furniture with a bar counter into the interior;
at the dacha the area of the rooms is limited, the stairs to the attic ( attic space) or the second floor is small, has a simple design, and the interior is dominated by country, retro, Provence, classic, less often loft, modern, minimalism. It is important to use the free space under the stairs for a cabinet with antique surroundings.

Furniture design depends on both the interior style and the house as a whole. For example, in a country villa, the staircase serves as a decoration of the building; it is better to fit a chic wardrobe, a rich library, furniture with glass display cases and shelves for a collection of expensive wine under it. In small country houses In small-sized cottages of standard architecture, the space under the stairs is used to optimize free space - more often they install inconspicuous cabinets, simple open shelving, secret pantries, and dressing rooms.

When choosing the color of a single design, the cabinet stairs to the second floor are based on the design of the railings and steps. In some cases, deep horizontal drawers are installed, which serve as a natural structural continuation of the winder steps and do not stand out against the general background. You can fit a cabinet correctly into any interior style, simultaneously solving two problems - using the empty space under the stairs and effectively decorating the room.

Placement nuances

An important advantage of equipping a room with a cabinet under the stairs is the optimal spaciousness of the furniture, since the depth of the model corresponds to the width of the stair steps, and the height at the maximum point is at least 950 mm. These sizes are quite suitable for organizing storage systems for bulky items, clothing, shoes, household appliances or sales decorative corner with an aquarium, souvenir shelves, TV, mini bar, wine library. To correctly design and place a cabinet under the stairs, you need to take into account several nuances:

When using a sliding door opening system, it is necessary to provide enough space for the panel to move along the lower or upper guides. In some designs, it will not be possible to open the doors completely, so there will be unused areas in the cabinet;
When installing a built-in wardrobe with hinged doors, the width of the doors should not exceed 1000 mm. The weight of the heavy panel causes the hinges to become distorted and the opening/closing mechanisms to fail. It is inconvenient to use a wide swing door - it is better to install two small doors;
When placing drawers under the stairs, you need to ensure they are fully extended for access to back wall under-staircase space - especially important if communication systems pass under the stairs. Vertical boxes are equipped with Teflon-coated rollers - they have a long service life;
during installation open cabinet The rack needs to combine shelves in height and width in order to place objects of different sizes on them. Installation of shelves is carried out in the wall and to the steps, so the base is made strong, finishing. The weight of shelves filled with things should moderately load the stairs;
An alternative solution is to install a compact-sized cabinet staircase, suitable for arranging a flight of stairs that is small in height and length. The steps simultaneously serve as the roof of the furniture structure; durable materials are used for their manufacture, for example, boards or natural wood.

There are a lot of interesting ideas for equipping the under-staircase space. In addition to installing a closet, you can design a separate room under the steps - a playroom for children, a study, a relaxation lounge with a comfortable sofa.

Sometimes the space under the stairs is used to install washing machines inside the cabinet, but care should be taken to supply communications and constantly ventilate the area under the stairs. A variety of design solutions allows you to rationally use the unused space under the stairs and add bright accents to the interior.

Video

Photo

If more than one person lives in the house, an additional bathroom will definitely not be superfluous. And if there are often guests there, even more so. And sometimes you have to look for a place for the only “corner of thoughtfulness” in the house if the opportunity to create it arose much later than the completion of construction. But you can always find a way out - for example, placing a toilet under the stairs in the house.

The space under it is often not used in any way, or is used for storing rarely needed things - seasonal clothes and shoes, vacuum cleaner, etc. So why not make this area functional and useful, and at the same time beautiful?

It doesn’t matter what style the room with the stairs is decorated in. The partitions that hide the restroom underneath can be finished to suit any style - from rustic to the most modern. This is not the most important or difficult task. Difficulties may arise in a completely different way.

Requirements for toilet design

Unfortunately, to implement this idea, you need not only funds and desire, but also compliance with certain conditions that take into account the specifics of the bathroom, and the materials from which the staircase and the house itself are made.

Among them:

Technical feasibility of connecting water supply and sewerage systems to the selected location;
Mandatory forced ventilation device;
The need for waterproofing.

But that's not all. A bathroom underneath can only be placed in a niche with sufficient dimensions.

The minimum dimensions are 0.8 x 1.2 meters, provided that only the toilet is installed. If a sink, bathtub or washing machine is planned, they are increased accordingly.

For reference. If the size of your niche is a little smaller, it doesn’t matter. In city apartments, a very tiny room is often allocated for a toilet room. Modern plumbing fixtures that take up little space will help you get out of this situation. But more on that later.

Where the toilet is installed, the ceiling height must be at least one meter;
And his height in front of him is at least a few centimeters greater than the height of the tallest member of the family. Of course, if we are not talking about a children's toilet;
The same applies to the ceiling height at the sink and other plumbing fixtures:
The door to the room must open outward.

Advice. If there is no room for a swing door to the bathroom, you can consider sliding or folding structures. But keep in mind that they do not provide high-quality sound insulation and odor protection.

Communications

The easiest way is to install a water supply under the stairs and drain the wastewater if there is a kitchen or other nearby. utility room with communications. We will not describe in detail how such work is carried out; we will only touch on the most important points.

Effluent from the toilet can be discharged directly into a septic tank or shambo using a separate pipe, or connected to a common house pipe. sewer system. In this case, it is necessary to provide an angle of inclination of the pipeline for the free passage of waste by gravity.

It depends on the diameter of the pipe. The instructions recommend using pipes of the following diameters for sewer installation in a private house:

50 mm– for indoor sewerage from bathtubs, sinks and showers. The optimal angle of inclination for them is 2.5-3.5 cm per linear meter;
100 or 110 mm– for drainage of wastewater from the toilet with a slope of 1.2-2.0 cm per linear meter;
Pipes of the same diameter or the next standard size (150 mm) used for external laying and give them a slope of 0.7-1.0 cm per linear meter.

The water supply line can be laid from the nearest node using the same pipes as the entire system in the house. If it is not there, water is supplied from a well or well with the installation of a pumping station, for which a place must also be found.

In this case, for year-round living, water pipes are laid below the ground freezing level, or they are insulated and equipped with a heating cable.

It is important! If the house is intended only for summer living, the water from the system must be drained in the winter.

Another important point: before making a toilet under the stairs, take care of the ventilation of this room. Otherwise, you risk constantly smelling unpleasant odors, as well as developing mold, which is very difficult to get rid of.

This is quite a difficult task if the stairs are located far from the external walls. You will either have to run the duct under the first floor ceiling, or route it through the second floor to the roof or attic space.

Finishing

Before finishing the toilet in the house under the stairs, you need to think about waterproofing the floor. And protecting walls from mold and rot if they are wooden. This also applies to elements.

All wooden structures treated with special protective compounds. If you decide not to hide them under tiles or plastic panels, you can use stains, varnishes or tinting impregnations.

The choice of waterproofing depends on the material from which the floor is made and the type of finished floor covering:

Natural wooden floors are covered with several layers of varnish or water-repellent impregnation;
Bitumen-polymer mastic is applied to the concrete base, then a screed is made and tiles or linoleum are laid;
You can lay bitumen-based roll insulation under the laminate.

The toilet and bathtub under the stairs in a country house are finished with standard moisture-resistant materials: tiles, plastic panels, moisture-resistant paint, etc. Below are some examples.

Advice. For the installation of partitions it is best to use moisture resistant drywall. It can be painted over putty and tiles can be glued to it.

It is important to think carefully about lighting. If the ceiling height is small, pendant and built-in lamps are unlikely to be relevant. Flat ceiling lamps and wall sconces will help out.

Equipment and furnishings

As a rule, the bathroom under the stairs has very modest dimensions, limited by the width of the span and the slope of the structure. And in such a limited space you can’t walk around, so you have to select plumbing fixtures very carefully.

Pay attention to the following items that differ in functionality and optimal dimensions:

Wall-hung toilet with installation. It does not have a visible tank - it hides in a niche in the wall or in a box specially built for it. In our case, if the toilet is placed at the end of a niche, there will be a place for installation under the lower steps of the stairs, which is still not used.

Mini-sink. If you only need it to rinse your hands, there is no need to buy a large product. Compact sinks are wall-mounted and corner, built-in and wall-mounted, deep and flat. There are even those that can be installed on a washing machine, which greatly saves space in a small bathroom.

Hygienic shower will successfully replace a bidet and allow you to easily fill a bucket with water for wet cleaning.

As for furniture, such a small room is unlikely to fit full-fledged cabinets or cabinets for linen, household tools and household chemicals. But you can find or make to order narrow cabinets or hanging cabinets.

In any case, you can always find a place for small shelves for hygiene items. And if you have a box built for installation, you can make good use of both its horizontal surface and its cavity, in which it is easy to hide pipes and water supply.

What else can you do under the stairs?

If you live in an urban two-level apartment, where “wet” zones cannot be placed above dry ones.

Or you don’t have the desire or ability to run communications throughout the house.
Or the niche is too small to fit a toilet.
Or you just don’t need another bathroom under the stairs - what else can be installed there?

Many things. For example, small niche, adjacent to the bathroom or kitchen, can accommodate a washing machine, dishwasher or dryer. You just need to put hoses there to supply and drain water. And if you want, you can make such a structure with your own hands from a metal frame and plasterboard.

And if there is no need to lay communications, then a huge number of options arise. And the price for arranging such a space is reduced significantly.

It's easier to show examples than to describe possible solutions, so see for yourself:

It can also become a place to store bicycles and skis, a small workshop or a house for a pet.

And you need to use it not only because there is not enough space in the house for these purposes. A simply furnished niche looks much more aesthetically pleasing than empty space or a warehouse of unnecessary things.

Conclusion

In the video in this article you will find many other examples of the use of under-staircase niches. And if you want to thoroughly understand how to make a toilet under the stairs, then you will have to become a little plumber and a little builder. We wish you success in this.

Aug 14/11

Interesting ideas using the space under the stairs inside the house

Often in private houses or cottages there is a staircase leading to the second floor or to the attic room (under the attic). The design of the stairs is so varied that under each of them a space of different sizes and shapes is formed. To prevent such places from being empty, they can be arranged according to several scenarios.

One of the most common options for using the space under the stairs is to locate a built-in wardrobe there. This can be a quite spacious wardrobe under the stairs, in which you can hide a lot of things and at the same time, add a new note to the interior design of a room with a staircase.

This is the most practical option use spaces under the stairs. In the closet you can put a children's bicycle, skis, sleds, fishing gear, folding clothes, winter outerwear and much more. In principle, an analogue of a balcony, which is often used in the same way, but on the balcony or loggia there are rubbles, and in the closet under the stairs there is everything that is unnecessary in this moment, neatly hidden.

The closet can be designed so that it impresses or matches the decoration of the walls of the room. Ideally, the closet door will be invisible. The inside of the closet can be equipped with various shelves, and then it will turn into a pantry. Even winter supplies can be hidden in this small room under the stairs.

If you have small house, in which it is difficult to accelerate when decorating an interior design, use space under the stairs to create another room. If there is enough space under the stairs, you can even place a double bed or corner sofa, and thus you will get additional sleeping area. Particularly suitable would be a bed-wardrobe, which, if not necessary, can simply be pushed into the wall.

A laundry room or Walk-in closet under the stairs.

Even a small kitchen set or built-in household appliances - a refrigerator, etc. will fit under the stairs. And the compact kitchenette is ready.

You can also make a guest toilet under the stairs or a small additional bathroom with a sink. You won't need to go up to the second floor to the bathroom so often.

Very often, home owners set up a children's room under the stairs or a play area for children.

In spacious houses, the room under the stairs is equipped with a living room.

Workplace under the stairs

If the stairs in the house lead both up and down to the basement, then the space remains small. You can mount it there.

In the presence of larger area, try to arrange it under the stairs. Post it there computer desk with armchair and built-in bookshelves.

If the room in which the staircase is located is a living room, then one of original options The use of the space under the stairs will include placing a TV, DVD player, and shelves for discs. In a word, you can organize an excellent space under the stairs, and you will no longer be bored with your guests.

How to use the space under the stairs in an original way

Unusual creative ideas may come to your mind when you are designing the arrangement of the space under the stairs. You can put there a greenhouse of large flowers floor vases or pots, wine cellar.

Wine cellar under the stairs photo

Place it under the stairs, and make recesses or windows in the walls for drinks and glasses. Such a small home minibar will delight you and your friends who come to your party or just to visit.

If there is a catastrophic lack of free space in the house, then it is necessary to rationally use every corner, every meter and the space under the stairs is no exception.

Very often, home owners simply neglect this area, sealing it tightly, and completely in vain: with a little imagination, time and building materials, the space under the stairs will not only allow you to effectively use precious space, but will also become some kind of original solution in the interior.

How to use the space under the stairs - arranging a niche

Arranging the space under the stairs requires careful design. The following points must be taken into account:

staircase size. Sometimes you can equip a whole office under it, and sometimes you have to limit yourself to just some small piece of furniture;
design features: shape, presence of risers;
location. If it is located, for example, in the hallway, then it is advisable to use the area under the stairs as a dressing room, if in the living room - as a library;
availability of utilities. If you plan to place a mini-toilet under the stairs, then water supply and sewerage pipes must be connected here. It is also necessary to take care of lighting;
the use of space under the stairs requires compliance with safety regulations, taking into account the number and age of residents, the need for certain premises and functional areas. Do not forget that the design of the space under the stairs should harmoniously fit into the decor of the entire room.

Room under the stairs - photos of rooms

In a country house or country house, the space under the stairs can be equipped as a full-fledged room. The room under the stairs, although it has a small area, can become very useful if the space is used rationally.

Kitchen under the stairs - interior photo

A staircase in the kitchen is not common, but it does happen, especially if we are talking about a room decorated in the “loft” style, that is, a studio apartment. In this case, it is advisable to use the area as rationally as possible. To do this, you can place some of the equipment in a niche under the stairs. Thus, the entire structure ceases to look like a foreign body in the interior.

Kitchens under the stairs, as a rule, consist of a sink, cabinets and shelves for every little thing; sometimes in this area you can see a gas water heater or boiler. Find suitable furniture It will be quite difficult, so you will have to either do it yourself or order it.

The kitchen under the stairs has its own nuances associated with the inclined shape of the flight. Consider whether you will hit your head on the steps while washing dishes. Plan in advance the supply of communications to the under-staircase area.

It is also important to take into account that the hot steam rising from the sink will not have the most beneficial effect on the condition of the stairs (especially wooden ones). Therefore, you should take care of good vapor and moisture insulation, as well as provide this area with good ventilation.

The drawing shows a kitchen under the stairs, consisting of a sink and cabinets.

If there is another place for the sink and kitchen cabinets, then any household appliances can be installed in the niche under the stairs. A refrigerator for which you will allocate the most will fit perfectly. high place. And next to it, where there is a little less space, you can put a dishwasher or small table With microwave. If the bathroom is a bit cramped, you can also place a washing machine under the stairs.

Toilet under the stairs in a house or country house - photo of a bathroom

Usually under flight of stairs 8 or 10 steps provide enough space to install a toilet and washbasin. A toilet under the stairs, located on the lower floors of the house, will come in handy if you have guests. And at the dacha it can easily pass for the main bathroom.

The arrangement of a toilet room begins with enclosing the space with walls. The bathroom under the stairs is located on the square:

minimum height 1 meter;
maximum height 2.6 meters;
room length 2.3 meters;
The width of the room is 1.2 meters.

If space allows, you can install a small bathroom under the stairs. In this case, it is better to use a small-sized bathtub or replace it with a shower stall.

When arranging this room, take into account its specifics: changes in humidity and temperature. The understairs finishing should be such as to protect the stairs from dampness and water. When arranging a bathroom, be sure to ensure ventilation, good vapor and heat insulation, and compliance with all safety requirements.

It is also important to consider that the bathroom space will most likely be small and cramped. Therefore, when designing it, it is better to use bright hues, avoiding a dark border around the perimeter, which visually reduces the room. You should also stop using facing tiles large sizes. Mirrors and shiny surfaces will help to visually enlarge a cramped room. It is better to replace the point light source with several lamps installed around the perimeter of the ceiling.

Hallway under the stairs - photo of a functional interior

If the staircase is located in the hallway, you need to carefully plan the room. Some of the furniture can be placed under a flight of stairs, for example, installing a small sofa or bench, where you can sit down and take off your shoes.

If there is enough space, it can fit under the stairs coffee table and an armchair or mirror with a wooden bedside table for bags and things that you need to take with you when leaving the house.

How to make a storage room under the stairs - photos of storage rooms

A small closet under the stairs is ideal for storing household items. If there are animals in the house, it is in the pantry room that you can place everything you need for your pet. For every little thing, install shelves, securing them not only to the walls, but also to back side rise. If the pantry does not look very aesthetically pleasing, then you can fence it off by installing a door under the stairs.

There should be no heating pipes or radiators in the under-staircase area. It is necessary to maintain room temperature and humidity. Under-stairs storage is ideal for storing items that need a “dark and dry place.”

Wardrobe under the stairs - photo of dressing room design

A dressing room under the stairs will save the hallway from a clutter of closets with outerwear and shoes and save space. With a well-chosen project, it is possible to create a very interesting design.

The figure shows an option for arranging a dressing room with a height of more than 2 meters. In the cabinets (6) and mezzanines (12) it is possible to store shoes and small items. A closet (10) is provided for storing outerwear.

A wardrobe under the stairs is ideal for storing items that are rarely used and require careful storage, such as fur coats.

If the hallway is small, then you shouldn’t do it closed room, otherwise, use mirror doors to visually expand the space. So, the dressing room under the stairs will not look massive, and the mirror will definitely come in handy in the hall.

Cellar under the stairs with bar

If the house does not have a real cellar, then a niche under the stairs is suitable for this. At the same time, in the very bottom part of the span there is room for wine cabinet, and the higher one can be used to install a bar counter and a pair of chairs. With this design of the space, you get not only a cellar, but also a bar under the stairs.

For storage alcoholic drinks Racks with cells are installed, each of which holds a bottle.

When equipping a wine cellar, you should remember that if the staircase is in the house, then a full-fledged storage facility suitable for aging and long-term storage of wine will not work, because it is impossible to meet strict requirements for temperature conditions and lighting.

A real wine cellar can only be made in the basement. It is here that the air temperature ranges from 8 to 14 degrees, the humidity is slightly high and there is no light, that is, there are all the conditions for storing wines.

The closet under the stairs is a secluded corner in the house

Everyone in their home has a bunch of unnecessary things that they hate to throw away. The closet under the stairs is just the place where such household items can be stored.

When arranging a closet a good decision there will be the use of retractable sections that will make it easier to find the necessary things in a tight space.

Place a vacuum cleaner, children's bicycle, skis, sleds in the closet, and these items will not clutter up your home. It is better to make the door invisible, merging with the partition.

If the area of the closet is large enough, then it can be converted into a living space. A cozy closet under the stairs will appeal to children and can serve as a sleeping place for guests.

Office under the stairs or home office - photo of the workspace

If you want to equip every meter of your home with maximum benefit, then you can place a small office in the space under the stairs. Depending on the design and size of the flight of stairs, it can be either a desk with a couple of shelves, or a full-fledged room with all the accompanying attributes. The photo shows how you can equip a home office under the stairs.

As a rule, the disadvantage of an office under the stairs is the acute lack of light, so when designing a work space, you need to carefully consider the local lighting system.

It is best to arrange a workplace under the stairs with folding furniture, lots of drawers and hanging shelves. This approach will allow you to use every corner.

If you like privacy, then you should isolate your office using sliding doors or a static partition. Such a decision is sometimes dictated by the need to hide expensive office equipment or important documents from children's eyes.

If you have an entire home office under a flight of stairs, you'll need a sophisticated storage system. . These can be just shelves attached to the bottom of the stairs, or drawers, cabinets and racks - it all depends on the area of the room and your imagination.

Library under the stairs - shelves and racks for books

IN modern interior It can be difficult to find a place for books, especially if you like minimalism. In this case, the space under the stairs is perfect for equipping a small home library. Books are placed either on special shelves or in drawers and racks.

Books installed on shelves under the stairs will successfully complement internal view any home. Fortunately, the design of the library and its functionality do not conflict with each other: books with beautiful spines add completeness to the interior, making the library look elegant and monumental.

If you also install a neat table with a cozy chair, you will have a comfortable reading place under the stairs.

Garage for bicycles or strollers under the stairs

Any family, especially if there are children, has bicycles, strollers, skateboards and other vehicles that take up quite a lot of space. Therefore, using the space under the stairs as a mini-garage will be absolutely justified.

This solution works especially well if the stairs are located close to the front door.

Furniture under the stairs - photo of built-in fittings

As a rule, the area under the stairs is equipped with special furniture, made to order or made by hand. This is due to the specifics of this space.

Wardrobe under the stairs in the house - design and photos of built-in wardrobes

Today it is possible to manufacture cabinets of the most unexpected shapes, which allow maximum use of the space under the stairs. These include a wardrobe, pull-out models, and a built-in wardrobe under the stairs.

Doors can be solid, sliding, glass or mirror. Cabinets under the stairs are installed in all cases where it is necessary to rationally use the free space. Such fittings also perform a purely aesthetic function, decorating the interior.

Installing drawers allows you to make the most efficient use of the area under the flight of stairs. Their depth is usually equal to the width of the stairs, so they are very roomy.

The drawers are equipped with special mechanisms that make it easy to remove everything you need from them. This is the best option for storing small items.

Shelves under the stairs

Using shelves of various configurations under the stairs, you can create an entire storage system. The shelves will not be empty, because in the house there will always be a bunch of little things that have nowhere to go. They can be attached to a wall or to the underside of a flight of stairs.

Bed under the flight of stairs - photo of sleeping places

A bed located under the stairs is a fairly common attribute of country houses. This lounger is very cozy; you can sit on it with a book or take a nap after lunch.

Under the bed there are drawers for storing bedding. Although such a bed is unlikely to be suitable as a permanent sleeping place, it can help you out if guests arrive.

Sofa under the stairs - photos of places to relax

A small sofa can become your favorite place to relax. A few small pillows, an old blanket and a cozy place is ready.

In the case where the staircase is located in the bedroom, which is quite possible in studio apartments, the niches under the stairs can be equipped as a sleeping place by placing a transforming sofa there. In this case, it is necessary to choose a mechanism that will be most convenient in the given conditions.

Shelving under the stairs

Rack – functional furniture, allowing for the most optimal use of the space under the stairs. Moreover, the entire structure is divided into cells, which allows you to sort things into groups.

The main requirements that shelving designs must meet are capacity and functionality. Outwardly, they seem light, airy and do not create a feeling of bulkiness. And that's all you need for effective use substaircase space.

Modern shelving units are equipped with drawers and sliding doors that make them even more functional. To fill the space under the stairs, mobile racks are especially popular, which, thanks to their compact size and mobility, can fit into any nook.

What else can be done under the stairs - alternative options

If the owners of the house are not concerned with the idea of rational use of every centimeter, but simply want to diversify the interior of their home, then placing a TV, flowers, paintings, an artificial waterfall, a piano or an aquarium under the stairs is a very good idea.

In living rooms with access to the second floor, you can install a fireplace under the stairs. However, you must adhere to all the rules fire safety. Such an interior detail will become stylish decoration Houses.

If you decide to place it in the under-staircase space Dollhouse With a real door and window, the child will enthusiastically support such an idea. Availability of additional play area will help eliminate constant quarrels between children.

You should think about arranging the space under the stairs in advance, even at the stage of designing the house. After all, even installing a TV requires an outlet, not to mention such complex projects, like a boiler or stove under the stairs.