12 Home Decor Ideas for Under the Stairs

For anyone that has a set of stairs in their home you have likely wondered if there was something you could do with that space - it seems like such a waste! Well there are some really creative and useful things you can do with that space under the stairs. Whether you are looking for a weekend project or a great idea to add on to your renovation to-do list - there is something on this list for everyone!

1. Reading Nook: this is a perfect little reading hide away for any member of the family.  Add a custom cushion for seating and lots of pillows for comfort. You can add some shelving for books and some art for a personal and decorative touch.  Don't forget some light - a pot light or a sconce is perfect for a space like this!




 2. Work space: this isn't a substitute for a full home office but it is perfect for a small work center at home for catching up on bills and emails or a great homework station.  Hiding your desk under the stairs keeps papers and files out of plain sight but you still have easy access to the space.

 

3. Closet: often home owners use the under the stair space as storage for items that are not needed on a daily basis like season clothing or decor, but why not make that useful everyday storage? Having easy access to our needed items but keeping them tucked away is a great idea for the space. This is also a great idea if you don't have a front entry closet.




4.  Powder Room: Short on space? Adding a powder room under the stairs is a great way to use this space whether it's on the main floor in the basement - this is a great renovation for your property in terms of use but also for resale of your home.



5.  Book case: are you a book lover? Need more space for your books? Use the stairs for extra book storage - it's simple and tucked away.  You could keep children's books on the lower shelves for easy access.  Add some baskets and you could storage puzzles, small toys or even board games.  Extra storage is never a bad thing.



6. Dog House: Or pet space!  Even our fur babies need a place of their own, so why not a little retreat under the stairs?  You can have their toys, beds etc....some home owners have even built in a gate or crate into the space to keep the pet area looking neat and tidy.




7. TV cabinet: Most of us don't like the TV to be the focal point of any room and those TV units can be so big and bulky.  Depending on your room arrangement you might be able to create a TV unit under the stairs like the one in this image.

 

 8. Bar: Love to entertain? This a perfect idea for the host or hostess - create your own bar (or wine storage) under the stairs.  You could even have a beer fridge and shelving for stemware.



9. Sports equipment storage :  this idea isn't as glamorous  but for the active this is great!  If you don't have a shed or garage for items like bikes this is for you.  Trying hanging your bike under the stairs.  It's out of the way but easy enough to access it when you need it.



10. Mudroom: If you have kids and don't have a proper mud room this might be all you need.  Use that nook under the stairs to create a mud room space for the kids day to day things - jackets, hats, back packs, shoes and more.  Under the stairs keeps it out of sight but not so much that the kids can't find their things. Try adding a bulletin or even a chalk board to keep track of events and appointments as well.


11. Laundry Room: Doing a remodel on a smaller space? Need a a better laundry room? Under the stairs could work for you! Stacked laundry machines can fit nicely leaving you room for storage of the cleaners and a folding space too.  This is perfect to add to the space if you are renovating as you will need the plumbing to be installed so if you are in a renovation and need a laundry room this might be all you need.



12.  Playroom or Kids' Clubhouse: Harry Potter may have lived under the stairs and it wasn't pleasant but you really can make a beautiful and fun clubhouse for the kids only under the stairs! You can get as creative as you like with this one!  Kids love to hide and play and under the stairs could be the perfect spot for a little playhouse!  You can paint it - add toys, books, bean bag, large pillows, sticker on the walls, have a door or curtain - it's entirely up to you!

DIY for Dummies

We all get bored of the same look over time, so having something that has lost its shine, or has become very outdated gives you that perfect excuse to get your hands dirty! It is very hard not to take the easy road and go buy what everyone else is buying, something brand new, leaving you no other option than to toss that old object away.

Little do you know that a few simple steps for a do it yourself project isn’t as hard as they look! With just the right patterns of fabric or the right colour of stain/paint, it can make a HUGE difference – and yes, of course also the right accessories to finish it off!

Upholstering that old chair in your basement can be fun, invite a friend over and get to work. You can easily create a beautiful accent chair that no one will be able to buy in stores!

 

 

There are many ways you can love that old piece of furniture again without breaking the bank! Refinishing something gives it that custom one-of-a-kind look, and gives you something to show off at those dinner parties!

 

Some ideas are to stop in at a second hand store and find an old coffee table, bench, or chair and buy it for cheap (if you don’t already have anything lying around at home).

It is very easy to take that first look at something and think that can never be beautiful, but if you put your mind to it, it WILL look amazing!

 

 

 

Furniture Distressing = No Stress at all!

Looking for a quick DIY to spice up your décor? So many times there are budget friendly jobs we can do ourselves at a low cost and with minimal work without even realizing it! Here is an EASY paint do-it-yourself project that will make a difference in any home. 

 

A very popular paint technique we are seeing a lot of these days in magazines and on home décor websites is “Distressed Edging”. This is a technique that creates an aged look using paint and glaze, without any sanding required. Talk about easy DIY! The glazing softens the colours producing an aged/distressed finish. Since no sanding is required, this means that there is no dust and no mess! There are many wooden surfaces in your home that could work with this technique such as a dining room table, kitchen cabinets, headboard, chairs or stools, coffee or end tables, doors and window trim, and that’s just naming a few!

There are only a couple basic tools you will need and no mess to clean up afterwards:
-Basecoat (only needed if you are starting from scratch and painting an entire piece of furniture.)
-Paint/Glaze for your “distressing” (the colour which would be showing through “underneath”)
-Flat Edge Foam Brush (for distressing the surface, this will be the only brush you need.)
-Plastic containers to hold paint & glaze mixtures.
-Soft cloths for wiping (in case of paint running or applying too much at a time.)
-Spray bottle with water for cloths
-Sealer or varnish for final protective coat once distressing is complete.

 

 

Here’s how it works: Paint the surface in the desired colour or use an already painted item or surface. Where you want the surface to look worn and distressed, paint another colour that would represent the colour underneath, this is where the paint and glaze comes into play. Make sure to use small amounts at once. The paint/glaze will likely be a fast drying product. It is much easier to apply less than you need than to try do it all at once, on the off chance you apply to much and cannot fix it. For example, you want to paint your kitchen cabinets yellow, you could chose a medium brown tone to “distress” with. This would look as though the original wood was beginning to show through the paint. This would give the illusion that the previous colour is coming through from normal wear and tear, when in actual fact, this colour is painted on top! Easy! Depending on the extent of the paint job you’re doing, you may want to seal or varnish the surface upon completion. Check with your local paint store for the product they would recommend.

Make sure you record your recipe. When the product is finished and your admiring the fabulous job you did – you want to be sure you remember how such perfection happened!