Maximising every inch of space in your home through bespoke, made-to-measure furniture has been the trend this year. That was the case for fitted wardrobes in the bedroom and alcove shelving in the living room, with more homeowners now turning their attention to the underutilised space beneath the stairs in most modern homes. This area is often relegated to a dumping ground for large, bulky items that can’t fit anywhere else, but with the right understair storage tips, we hope to help you transform this space into a functional, high-value asset that will enhance your home’s aesthetic and functionality.
This is a six-minute read explaining understairs storage and its benefits, some of its most common types, and how you can work with Propafit Interiors to help build the perfect one tailored exactly to your needs.
Benefits of Understairs Storage
Understairs storage is a type of bespoke, made-to-measure solution designed to fit into the specific footprint of your hallway or living room, specifically the nook under your stairs. It is common for homeowners to opt for this kind of feature to both make use of this often underutilised space and enhance the overall aesthetic of their home.
It is beneficial to get understairs storage if:
- You want to keep your hallways clutter-free: Understairs storage helps keep your belongings organised and out of view
- You have a small home: You want to make the most of your vertical space, especially around your living room
- You need to store specific, high-value items while keeping them accessible: You can modify your bespoke understairs storage to store specific items such as appliances or even sports gear
- You want to increase your property’s value: High-quality, built-in understairs storage is perceived as a premium feature and will be desirable for future buyers
- You want to obtain a minimalist look: Bespoke understairs storage units can be made to fit with your existing decor seamlessly
Popular Understairs Storage Ideas
Your bespoke understairs storage depends on the layout of your home, its aesthetic, your lifestyle, and the specific items you want to store. When considering understairs storage, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to how you can maximise your space.
However, we also understand that choosing the right one can be quite overwhelming, so below are three of the most common understairs storage designs. Try to see what resonates with you and feel free to start from there.
Pull-Out Shoe Drawers
These are deep, vertical drawers that slide out on heavy-duty runners to let you utilise the full depth of your stairs.
This style of understairs storage is best for:
- Large families with numerous pairs of shoes
- Stairs beside narrow hallways where swinging doors could obstruct the path
- Keeping the floor completely clear
Built-In Home Office
With work-from-home setups becoming a trend, you can consider turning your understairs area into a compact office. You can make use of a custom desk and overhead shelving, following the slope of the stairs.
This style of understairs storage is best for:
- Creating a workspace without losing a spare room
- Maintaining a compact working environment
Hidden Utility Cupboards
You can utilise the entirety of your understairs area through full-height cupboard doors, where you can hide bulkier items and appliances such as an ironing board, your vacuum cleaner, and more. You can also consider using hidden drawers for more storage options.
This style of understairs storage is best for:
- Creating a space to make your household cleaning supplies more accessible
- Storing seasonal items such as heavy winter coats and umbrellas
- Homes lacking a separate utility room
How to Customise Your Understairs Storage
The beauty of opting for bespoke, made-to-measure understairs storage solutions is in the details; this means having the freedom to create something that is truly unique to you and your home. This can also be a bit overwhelming, so feel free to treat the points below as a collection of understairs storage tips that you can use to build the perfect space with Propafit Interiors.
And remember, it is our wish to create a final product that is as functional as it is beautiful, and you should aim for that too.
Internal Configuration
Try to base the interior of your understairs storage around what you need to store. Do you need more shelves or more shoe compartments? Do you need a place to put your appliances? Use this opportunity to ensure that no space is wasted.
Door Styles and Opening Mechanisms
To start, you can choose between traditional hinged doors, more modern handleless “push-to-open” panels, or deep pull-out drawers, among many others. You have to make sure that you have enough room to fully access the storage space you have created without creating obstructions.
Integrated Lighting
If your understairs storage area is large enough, you may wish to customise the unit with integrated LED strip lights or even motion-sensor spotlights to make it more accessible.
Material and Colour Matching
To ensure that your understairs storage unit does not stick out, ensure that its material and finish complement your existing decor. But of course, regardless of whether you want to make your unit seamless or stand out, the choice is entirely yours.
Specialised Storage Features
This strengthens the point that your understairs storage solutions need to reflect your lifestyle as much as they do your home. Beyond standard shelving, you can modify your understairs storage’s configuration to incorporate specialised features such as wine racks, among many others.
Suggested read: How to Use Your Kitchen Wine Rack for an Easy At-Home Tasting Party?
Why Work with Propafit Interiors
If you are looking to transform your hallway or living room with elegant, made-to-measure understairs storage solutions, Propafit Interiors is here to help. With over 20 years of experience, rest assured that our expert team will deliver bespoke units that are beautiful, functional, and tailored exactly to your needs.
With our extensive experience in the design, manufacture, and installation of bespoke furniture, our services also extend to:
- Loft rooms
- Living areas
- Kitchens
- Offices
- Media units
- Dressing rooms
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can understair storage be installed on any type of staircase?
Most staircases—whether they are straight, turned, or with landings—can accommodate understairs storage units. We can send a team over to check your stairs and suggest a few designs that can fit perfectly within the specific footprint of your space.
Do I need to remove my existing carpet or flooring?
In most cases, no. Our bespoke units can be designed to sit on top of or work around your existing flooring. We advise you to raise this with our team during the initial inspection of your stairs.
Can I turn my understairs space into a wine cellar?
Absolutely. Our team can incorporate custom wine racks as part of your many configuration options. We’ll ensure that the final product is as beautiful as it is functional.
Reclaim Your Understairs Space with Propafit Interiors
Making the most of your home’s footprint continues to be one of the main reasons why homeowners are choosing to invest in made-to-measure storage solutions. Not only do these units provide access to often underutilised areas such as the nook beneath your staircase, they also enhance your hallway or living room’s style and overall functionality.
If you’re considering bespoke understairs storage solutions, there’s no better way to start than here at Propafit Interiors. With the expertise we’ve built as a family-run business for over 20 years, rest assured that your fitted furniture will be made beautiful, affordable, and tailored exactly to your needs. Contact us at 01462 814080 or send us an email at [email protected] today.