i agree it would look great with built in drawers. it's an awkward space with the curve above. besides, if the drawers are built in? you won't have to clean behind a chest :)

Maybe a custom built set of shelves.

If it's near an entrance door you might also consider having a somewhat larger toe-kick area underneath built-in drawers. This would give you a place to kick off your shoes and keep them slightly out of sight from the rest of the hall.

Storage is probably your best choice for the space. What kind of storage might also depend on what looks at the space. If there was a living room opposite from it then it might look nice with a few bookshelves and possibly a small lamp.

Don't fixate on absolutely "maximizing" use of the space. It's all being wasted now, so even if you put some shelves or drawers that don't go "all the way back" you'd still be getting more out of it than nothing at all.

The stairs are beautiful and an architectural feature just as they are. I would NOT build anything in . Just have maybe an interesting old trunk there or a big asian fish pot with a parlor palm placed just in front of the opening . I think building something there is just going to ruin the look and charm of the stairs.

I agree the staircase is beautiful as is.

Thanks. We do have a small antique trunk that fits in that space. I think that we'll use that to "define" that space. Thanks for the contribution and ideas!

A wine "cellar" with glass and wrought iron door would rock! Even small spaces can become very productive space...and way more fun than a vacuum.

i think an antique trunk would look great. i have one in the attic :) and i agree about the vacuum because if you stored one there? you would have to get one of those horrible vac covers that look like bunnies or giraffes or bears :) that you find at "art" fairs :)

I would not fill it in with drawers--the architecture is beautiful and should stand alone. You would lose the entire period feel of the staircase. Why put anything in at all? If it seems a bit hollow, then the antique trunk is by far the best suggestion here.

I suggest built in storage, drawers or even a custom door to hide storage (such as the vacuum or out of season footwear etc.) Have a carpenter do the work to ensure a proper fit, trip with same or similar mouldings that are in the area.
Good luck.

The stairs are beautiful. I would add some wainscoting or trim on the wall going up the stairs and maybe paint the trim a contrasting color.

We have a row of coat hangers under our stair way - I think the trunk idea might be good for shoes too! All i need then is a stand or bucket for wet umbrella's! Lovely :)

Recessed lighting and a great piece of art -sculpture

highlight it either with a plant or multi display case

Hello. I think the stairs are beautiful. A built in would take away from the design of the stairs. A simple pot of fern would add some softness and highlight the architectural features. Somethimes less is more.The cost of custome cabinetry is expensieve. You won't see a 100% return on your money. Vine cellars are cool but also taste specific. I think this is a perfect kids hide out :) My son would love it.

I saw a nice idea to put a custom made desk for a small "office area. Shelves above the desk area. Seemed a very good way to use this space if you do not a HUGE desk.

I agree that the staircase is beautiful as is. I would go with the antique trunk idea, and just "live with it" for a while. In time, you will come up with many ideas that suit your needs, something you can do only with experience in the home. Take your time.

The trunk is the best idea and can easily store either mittens and scarves or used for shoes. My other idea was also metioned where you could put wine racks in this area. I prefer the trunk only because the focus can still be on the beautiful staircase. Think about what your needs are and please don't build anything into it. You need some airiness in my opinion under the staircase to keep the focus on how pretty that is. Hope this is helpful.

It looks like the stairway has a gentle curve to it which would make building anything into it a real chore anyhow (plus distract from its lovely design) - also, does the adjoining door open into it? A plant may find it too shady there. A trunk and and umbrella stand sound good. But you may want to try an extension (pressure fit) type rod if it is generally not visible - could come in handy if it works.

You might consider a cluster of decorative pottery of varying sizes, and, if there's plug back there, a cannister floor lamp (throwing light upwards) to back-light the arrangement. That avoids the trouble of installing a recessed down-light.

I like the ideas that mention art - an antique trunk could qualify - a fine architectural piece - a little lighting -
something that would accent the beauty of the stairs.

How about a built-in wine "cellar". It could be done without doors, but I think doors with glasses inserts would be nice using the beautiful wood tones from your staircase, Good Luck!

I agree with so many others, the stairs are beautiful - especially the decorative post. Since you say you haven't moved in yet, I'd wait until the room off of the entry - living room? - is furnished and see what direction to take then but an interesting piece of art/small sculpture or colorful pottery that ties into the adjacent room would be the easiest solution and the least expensive...moving into a new house always costs more than we think it's going to...best of luck in your new home.

Your staircase is beautiful! In the event you find you require more storage space for your entry way, the cubby would provide the perfect space to do so. (There are plenty of ideas on the Internet.) Plan to have it custom built though.

If you are too engaged in filling it up, just be careful on the things youll buy just to fill it up. If I have that space, I will definitely put a good lighting. Couple of pin lights will do the trick and a gourgeous plant will bring in needed life to it.

We have a very similar space in our home. Actually, our young grandchildren liked to take their book and sit in there to read, so we made it into a miniature "library" and they love it. We put a tiny table and chairs and some small bookcases in there with an overhead light. Our "library" has a wall to close it off from the adjoining room with a small door (about 4 feet tall) which makes it very private for them. When they outgrow it, we can use it for an out-of-sight storage area.

Great place for some 3-dimensional sculpture. Have you seen the white wooly sheep pieces? A few of those sheep wandering out of that area would add whimsy!

A telephone closet...take a look.

This is a very traditional use for an under the stairs space. Hope this helps.
Charmean Neithart

i was jsut thinking of a phone when i scrolled down to your post!!! i was in a historic and beautiful home on Sat. and there is a phone ledge by teh stairs, but not under them. even so, wondrous woodwork and outta my league :)

Funny mousemaker. Phone closets were always under staircases or just next to an entry if no stairs existed, very old fashioned. It made sense back then. I suppose now you could make it a docking station.

in her kitchen is a laundry chute door and a milk delivery door..they used the inside of the laundry door to match the stain/wood for the cabinets they had built (because the kitchen needed help:)) but they left as much of the old features as possible. so the milk door still works :) and she told me that when her kids were young that the neighbor kids would come over and knock on the outside and then she would open the inside :) and there would be a little face asking for friends to come out and play..
i thought that was really sweet..and old fashioned..makes me kind of sad that in our world things have changed so much..

I had a milk door in the house I grew up in. We also had a bread truck that would come in the mornings. I would love milk service! My boys drink milk like crazy, can barely keep up with them :)

Charmean, i wish you were a knitter!!!! do i have a home for you!! :)

Ha!

The stairs are gorgeous and more gorgeous. I would leave it just as is.

Over 2 year old thread but this may be where mousemaker has been hiding;)

You can also add wood shelves in that empty space under the stairs. Here are some ideas.

Would love the keep it open and shelf it out, love the ideas Ive seen in the thread!

Check this link out. Really unique ideas:

http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/creative-space-under-stairs/

get some unique lighting in there to accentuate whatever you chose to do...perhaps a backlit sculpture?

time out space for a misbehaving significant other !

ORIGINAL POST IS 4 YEARS OLD!!!!!!!