Upstate New YorkContemporary Staircase, New York

LibraryThe thing about books on shelves is that they fill up spaces and allow the air around them to move. They’re both storage and decoration, but they don’t close in a room. So building spaces under the stairs for books is an ideal solution. There’s a hint of what’s behind, rather than a solid piece of wall, and this makes things seem airy and deeper than they probably are.

Take care of oversized tomes. Books like to be supported, and proper shelving is one way to ensure that they are. If you have a large collection of oversized art and design books, consider laying them flat instead of standing them up — it will reduce wear and tear on the spines. Just be sure to stack them in ascending order, with smallest books on top and largest on the bottom, so each book is completely supported by the one beneath it. And if you want to be able to easily access your books, don’t let the stacks get too tall.

1. Create open shelving. Don’t assume the understairs area should be reserved for hiding the vacuum and shopping bags. Open shelving can look stylish, as these chic box shelves show. Here they provide a home for oversized art and travel books, while the soft gray woodwork contrasts with the hallway and adds an elegant feel.Tip: You could divide up your understairs area into narrow display shelves, while retaining a skinny hidden cabinet behind.

Possibility for cookbooks, charging station computer etc.

Storage idea under stairs; want to be able to fit cubes (don't want all open)