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Hallway help needed!

last month
last modified: last month

I’ve recently bought a house and I’m trying to find a practical way to make use of the high ceiling void above my stairs.The first-floor hallway (landing) feels wasted, it has plenty of headroom, but the area above the stairs is just open air.
I’m thinking maybe storage? ideally something useable and not decorative.
I’m mainly looking for input from joiners, builders, or anyone who’s tackled this kind of stair void conversion before:

  • What’s structurally realistic?
  • What have you seen work well in similar setups?
  • Anything to watch out for with building regs or load-bearing walls?

thanks


image not best but can see what i mean at left hand side.


Comments (17)

  • last month

    Additional pics are needed. Maybe take some from the bottom and top of the stairs.

  • last month

    How tall are you? 5'2" me has a different idea about navigating storage above stairs than my 5'10" son in law.

  • PRO
    last month
    last modified: last month

    What is it you plan to store in the "wasted" space? What is if F.O.R ..........before you feel compelled to use the air?








  • last month

    Apologies here are some better images. does anyone have ideas of what could be possible?



  • PRO
    last month

    "Possible"

    is the determined result of a need, a purpose.

    You aren't even answering the question, you are just determined to use something...for WHAT?

    Get a contractor in your home, AFTER you figure out what it is you want to store. He won't be able to read your mind, either.



  • last month

    Jan’s image above seems like an option - although if it were me, I’d wait and live in house before a project like this - it’s a narrow staircase so hard to imagine wanting to reduce any perceived volume


    (totally a me thing but if storage was needed in the home, I would add it a lot of other places before considering something over the stairs)

    Paul thanked la_la Girl
  • last month

    Steady on jan, looking for some ideas and inspiration not an argument. understand the opinion but it’s horrible looking imo. Feel it’s best to do the work now while the whole house is being rennovated.


    we don’t have much storage so we could see we need that?

  • last month

    Can you post a photo from the middle of the stair case looking up so we can see the landing area? Where is your attic entrance?

  • last month



  • PRO
    last month

    You mean the attic space ???? The rest of the space above the staircase is for head room. Attic spave usually great for storing stuff you rarely use like luggage, Christmas or other seasonal decor and sometimes even sports eqipment not used in ceratin seasons . Anything is possible so see theguy with the harness working in a space like that how good are you at wearing that to access stuff ? Use the attic put a fab light fixture in that space and be done

  • last month

    I'd think about how you'd design a staircase going up to an imaginary 3rd floor, then use that space for storage. It will look the most normal to build the storage at a slope parallel to the current staircase. Nobody will hit their heads. The last pic that Jan posted seems the best to capture this idea. It truly looks like an enclosed staircase to a 3rd floor.



  • last month

    Are you in the UK? Building codes differ by country.


  • last month
    last modified: last month

    If it were me, I’d have one or two pro’s come in to suggest/quote, as there are a lot of factors to consider structurally and of course cost wise. Also consider: the effect visually as it could feel a bit oppressive (from both floors), and the actual functionality/ease of using.

    If storage is the driver vs closing up the expanse, consider using the attic if feasible. Then add ceiling lighting and large art (or wallpaper) on the staircase to add interest.


  • last month

    What about making the landing wider at the highest ceiling point and having a wardrobe there?

  • last month

    For the question of whether you should add storage over the flight of stairs, a single photo is all you need:



    See the existing angle over the last 2 stair treads? That is painstakingly framed to provide a clearance of 6'-8" (+ or - if you are not in the U.S.) clear over the stair tread directly below it, and that must remain all the way up the flight.

    The "air" over the stair flight actually helps to open up the second floor visually and provide a feeling that you are not in a tightly controlled maze. The hallway is a collection and congregation point of circulation from the rooms which benefits from feeling more open.

    Surely better located/accessed, more functional, and more matching-to-current-level-of-aesthetics storage can be found somewhere in the house.



  • PRO
    last month

    ^^^


    Especially that

  • last month

    What landing, where for a wardrobe? You have no landing that I see. Just hallway and steps.


    I wonder if you are maximizing layout in all of your rooms and getting the most storage in that that you can get.

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