Built-in wardrobe under the stairs in a private house, built-in wardrobe options under the stairs, do-it-yourself installation
There is never enough storage space. At the same time, in any home there is a small free space that can be used to equip a built-in wardrobe or a spacious shelving unit.
This time we will talk about the rational use of the empty space under the stairs. What cabinet options can be placed under the stairs, and is it possible to install the built-in furniture on your own? Let's try to figure it out.
Rational use of space under the stairs
Owners of small private houses sometimes face the problem of stair placement, looking for options for the most convenient and compact installation. Indeed, often marching stairs are located in the hallway, where, in addition to the incoming door, there are two or three more doors from other rooms of the house.
To make up for the missing storage space, some craftsmen are trying to somehow use and use the empty space under the stairs.
If space allows, then you can build a room under the stairs. It can be a place to relax (corner sofa), a children's corner, an office or a kitchenette.
There are a lot of ideas for arranging the space under the stairs. It all depends on the imagination, the desire of the owners of the house and the size of the room. If desired, under the stairs you can organize: a wine cellar, a flower greenhouse, place a fireplace, an aquarium, a chest of drawers, an artificial pond, equip a mini-bar or install a piano.
Among all the options for the rational use of space under the stairs, the most common and practical is the arrangement of a closet in the house under the stairs. An impromptu wardrobe turns out to be quite roomy, because its depth will be equal to the width of the flight of stairs. Here you can organize a dressing room, make a pantry for out-of-season things, arrange an open hallway or closet for storing small folding furniture, sleds, skis, children's bicycles or blanks for the winter.
It should be noted that the interior of the house with the appearance of a built-in wardrobe under the marching stairs becomes complemented and more harmonious. In order for the cabinet to be useful and consistent with the general appearance of the room, it is necessary to choose the optimal type of built-in structure - this will allow you to effectively exploit free square meters.
Options for built-in wardrobes under the stairs
Sliding wardrobe - maximum space saving
The sliding wardrobe under the stairs will harmoniously look against the background of any interior. A variety of exterior furniture finishes (mirror doors, photo printing or original, exquisite painting on the closet) allows you to design and practical equip the hallway, nursery, living room or bedroom.
Built-in wardrobes are especially recommended for use in small spaces - they will save the space needed to open swing doors. In addition, such a cabinet is very spacious and uses all the space under the stairs (you can install mezzanine shelves).
Usually, the wardrobe under the stairs is combined with other types of wardrobes, since the movement of sliding doors along the rails can be limited by the slope of the stairs.
Wardrobe with hinged doors - the best solution for the hallway
If the staircase is located near the entrance doors, then an interesting option for using the space under it would be the arrangement of the hallway. It is better to make a wardrobe with hinged doors, and the design itself can have disparate elements or act as an integral composition.
It is not necessary to occupy all the space under the stairs under the closet for the hallway. It is better for them to occupy a small part (on the bottom side of the stairs), so that not only adults, but also children can reach the shelves.
Wardrobe departments should be equipped with hangers, hooks, as well as a shelf for storing hats and scarves. Near the closet, it would be appropriate to look at a comfortable soft ottoman, stands for slippers, umbrellas and a key holder. Be sure to provide a roomy department with shelves for seasonal and out-of-season shoes.
The remaining part under the stairs can be used as a pantry (you can do without installing shelves) for a vacuum cleaner, mops, buckets, children's toys for the street and various household equipment.
Open shelving - practical decoration of the back side of the steps
An original design solution that can “beat” the space under the stairs, hide the back side of the steps and add a functionally useful place, is the arrangement of open shelving.
In addition, this type of wardrobe under the stairs with your own hands is much easier to make than other built-in furniture options. It is enough to mount a set of homemade shelves to get an interesting, practical and decorative element of the interior.
Open shelving is perfect for homes with modest dimensions. Of course, it will be inconvenient to store clothes and shoes on such shelves, but memorable souvenirs and favorite photographs will add more comfort, warmth and originality to the atmosphere of the house.
You can arrange a home library under the stairs. Shelves, racks in an open cabinet should duplicate the steps and go parallel with them. An unusual effect can be achieved if steps and shelves are made in the same color scheme. However, if you want to focus on built-in furniture, cabinet shelves can be painted in a color contrasting with the steps.
Next to such a staircase, you can put a cozy reading chair or a guest sofa. If space allows, arrange a work area with a table and a computer.
An open rack with small shelves can be used to store wines. This approach will especially appeal to gourmets and connoisseurs of the “drink of the Gods”.
Drawer cabinet and its varieties
The design of drawers is suitable for storing documents, tools and other not too voluminous things. This applies to boxes of a horizontal (chest of drawers) type.
Due to the roller guide mechanisms, the use of boxes is very convenient and comfortable. Such drawers do not burden the interior of the room.
To arrange the space under oversized stairs, you can make sliding cabinets (two or three along the length of the stairs) of a vertical type, that is, not divided into separate drawers.
Such a cabinet “leaves” on special wheels that do not scratch the floor surface and are almost silent. If necessary, the drawer can be moved to another location. Such a cabinet is convenient to use if under the stairs there is an exit to the pantry or other utility room, which is rarely used.
Things in vertical-type drawers are usually placed on hangers or in boxes - this is necessary so that the contents of the cabinet do not fall out when it is moved.
The versatility of combined cabinets under the stairs
You can make a cabinet under the stairs of a combined type - this is the most convenient and functional option. You can put clothes, shoes, tools in the closed part of the closet, and display decorative figurines, fresh flowers and photographs on open shelves.
In addition to practicality, the combined cabinet also performs a decorative function. The combination of various textures and design elements makes the cabinet a universal decor element for any room. In the decoration of the closed part of the cabinet, you can use stained-glass windows, mirrors, colored films. Open cabinet shelving adds lightness to the design and visually expands the space.
Tips for arranging and completing the cabinet under the stairs
Starting to solve the main question “How to make a closet under the stairs?”, You need to familiarize yourself with the recommendations for the configuration and arrangement of built-in furniture under the stairs:
Do-it-yourself installation of a built-in wardrobe under the stairs
Preparatory stage (plan-scheme of the future cabinet, necessary tools, interior decoration)
First of all, you need to decide on the type of cabinet, prepare a plan for the planned built-in cabinet, calculate all dimensions (depth, width of the cabinet, number and dimensions of internal shelves, partitions and doors). All possible dimensions must be indicated on the drawing.
The configuration and “stuffing” of the wardrobe will be determined by the size of the space under the stairs, the need to store certain things (clothes, books, tools, etc.), and of course, the designer’s imagination.
After developing a detailed scheme, it is necessary to prepare all the necessary materials and tools:
- material for interior decoration (chipboard, paint);
- facades of drawers or doors;
- grinder, drill, hacksaw, screwdriver;
- roulette;
- bars with a section of 5 * 5 cm;
- self-tapping screws;
- accessories (canopies, handles, hooks).
Before you build a wardrobe, you need to prepare the space under the stairs:
- The place under the stairs must be freed from unnecessary items. Partitions may need to be removed.
- Perform decorative wall decoration under the stairs. To do this, you can use: drywall, wall paneling, wallpaper or painting.
After the preliminary work is completed, you can proceed directly to the installation of the cabinet.
Sequence of installation of the built-in wardrobe
Installation of the under-staircase cabinet is carried out in the following sequence:
With self-installation, it is better to use swing doors - they are the easiest to install. Installation of sliding systems is best left to professionals.
The final stage of installation (external finish)
After completing the installation work, you can experiment with the decorative finish of the built-in wardrobe. From the inside, the walls of the shelves and cabinet can be painted in one color or pasted over with self-adhesive film under natural wood.
The color scheme must be selected in accordance with the interior of the room. Traditional white is a classic option, but if there are children in the house, then it is better to choose a less easily soiled color for the cabinet.
A staircase with drawers can be decorated with handles that complement the style of the surrounding furniture. It would be nice to complement the place near the closet with suitable accessories: a hanging mirror, flowerpots, a comfortable ottoman or a small armchair.
The empty space under the stairs can be quickly and inexpensively turned into a neat, comfortable and spacious closet in which you can place a variety of things. You can create such a locker with your own hands, but at the difficult stages of installation, you should not refuse the help of professionals.
