We are in the very beginning stages of planning a new home. We like a plan from the builder which he had built before on a slab. Our lot will have a drive-under garage so we need to make room for stairs going down. The logical place will mean we lose the hall coat closet and closet off the office. We can live without a closet in the office but could really use a coat closet.

We considered cubbies and hooks on the landing going downstairs. We're not sure there will be enough room and we're nervous about our small children taking a tumble while they get shoes on and off. Maybe a baby gate could solve the latter issue but we're trying to come up with something more elegant.

Thanks in advance for your advice.