Even in the last century, the space under the stairs served as a place for the accumulation of many things that were used quite rarely. In other words, it was used as a storage room. With the advent of modern minimalist interior styles, the space under the stairs began to be covered; it became a reflection of the style no less than the staircase itself. In terms of functionality, such a closet is not inferior to a regular one; you can make outdoor shelves for shoes or a bar for outerwear in it.
Built-in wardrobes under the flight of stairs Source dizainexpert.
Features of placement under the stairs
There are several main nuances:
- Walking staircase designs can be straight, U-shaped or rotating L-shaped, which makes them the simplest and most convenient to combine with various types of cabinets.
- In the design of spiral staircases, more compact models are often used, in the form of a wardrobe, chest of drawers or shelves for storing things.
- For a monolithic and large staircase, it is better to choose less bulky cabinets made in light shades.
It is desirable that the material, design and color scheme of the storage system coincide with the design of the interfloor staircase.
Advantages and disadvantages
A built-in wardrobe is more than just a design element - it is an ergonomic and functional design that can provide great benefits in everyday life. The empty space under the stairs in the country can be rationally used by compactly installing furniture that has a specific purpose.
Using the built-in wardrobe you can equip:
- changing room under the stairs;
- storage shelf;
- library;
- workplace;
- corridor, etc.
Built-in structures are much more practical than stationary cabinets. They significantly save useful space, since they do not have a floor, roof or walls. In addition, numerous photos of cabinets under the stairs in a private house, which can be found on the Internet, clearly show how varied the design of an empty area can be.
Homeowners are offered a large selection: swings, compartments, racks, cabinets, etc.
Built-in products will perfectly complement even the most unusual interior. Such furniture looks holistic in combination with a staircase, which can be a spiral or marching one. Over time, the number of things in the house increases, therefore, when buying a custom-made wardrobe for the stairs, it is advisable to take care of the presence of a sufficient number of shelves.
Flaws:
- Lack of finished products on the market. For this reason, as already mentioned, the internal item must be ordered or made by hand. In the first case, a wardrobe can be expensive, in the second, you will have to spend a lot of time and effort on manufacturing the product.
- An accurate drawing of the cabinet is required. It is necessary to determine the location of all shelves, drawers, etc.
- The load must be calculated carefully so as not to damage the stairs. Otherwise, the placement of the cabinet may lead to the collapse of the entire structure.
Peculiarities
The cupboard under the stairs is one of the few interior items that is not presented on the market in finished form. This is due to the fact that the dimensions and shapes of the stairs differ from each other, as does the size of the space under them. Therefore, it is impossible to make a standard piece of furniture. It can only be done to order or with your own hands.
Under the stairs you can arrange a closet to store various things. What exactly to do depends on where the structure is located:
- In the hall. Usually in this room there is a closet for storing clothes and shoes, equipped with doors. You can install a mirror on the facade.
- In the dining room. This is also where they most often set up a place to store dishes. In addition, this room can be used as a bar for drinks, a cabinet for dry goods, etc.
- In the kitchen. The best option for this room is a cabinet for storing dishes. In addition, you can arrange a place for preparations, especially if there is no cellar.
- In the hall. Most often they make a bookcase here, a cabinet for storing dishes, linen or various useful little things.
Types of built-in cabinets under the stairs
The space under the steps has a complex geometry, which makes it difficult to purchase ready-made furniture. Owners of houses and apartments with stairs act in two ways: make an individual order or make a wardrobe under the stairs with their own hands. First, a model is selected, its appearance and internal content are determined.
it is necessary to evaluate the ease of use and practicality of the future model. Small chests of drawers, chests of drawers and light shelves can be conveniently placed under a spiral staircase in limited space. The designs of the flight of stairs allow the successful use of spacious samples.
Built-in open wardrobe
It does not visually clutter the room, gives it spaciousness, practicality and cleanliness. This model assumes an open arrangement of objects, and therefore requires constant care and complete closure on shelves and hangers.
Roll-out
Retractable sections can be either horizontal or vertical. Each individual structural element is driven by roller wheels, which do not leave mechanical damage to the floor covering. These spacious pull-out units require storage of bulky items, belongings, sports equipment or even household appliances for cleaning.
Shelves under the stairs
A rather original design option - open shelves under the stairs. They are suitable for placing a wide variety of things and have a simple design that you can assemble yourself.
Drawers
Horizontal drawers resemble a chest of drawers and are pulled out in the same way using roller mechanisms. It is convenient to store small items and documents here. To keep your private home in order, you will need various devices and tools. They will be stored securely in drawers and always in their place.
For ease of searching and maintaining order in the drawers, you can write on the front side what is stored in each of them. Therefore, they provide compact storage of items and neat sorting.
If the width of the staircase is more than 60 cm, then it is rational to place two or three volumetric compartments under it, each of which will be divided by shelves or drawers.
This system is not only convenient for storing various items, but also looks attractive in any interior. When closed, this design looks like a piece of furniture with doors.
Wardrobe with hinged doors
Hinged doors provide access to all contents, unlike, for example, sliding wardrobes, where doors can cover shelves.
Inside the cabinet there should be the following devices:
- clothes rail;
- hooks for clothes;
- shelf for hats;
- section for storing shoes.
It is also worth placing a wardrobe of outerwear here because of the different heights. This will create a small locker for children in which they can store their things on their own. Having placed a compartment for children's clothing at the beginning of the stairs, it is necessary to equip it with a large number of hooks so that guests have somewhere to hang their jackets.
Behind the cabinet door you can organize a pantry for storing household utensils. Mops, buckets, rags and vacuum cleaners - all of this often has no place, hidden behind curtains and sofas or in the bathroom.
Here you don’t even have to create shelves, but simply place things in their permanent places.
Closet
A practical solution for finishing a basement is to install a piece of furniture with sliding doors. The opening mechanism of this design allows you to save as much space in the room as possible. Also interesting about this model is that the appearance can be different: using glass, mirror, plastic, natural wood, and so on.
It is difficult to design and build such a piece of furniture yourself. Only extensive experience in this field will allow you to accurately integrate the filing system with sliding doors. It is better to entrust the installation of the cabinet to specialists.
The slope of the stairs can interfere with the opening of doors, so the system can be equipped with other types of arrangement of the compartment under the stairs.
Kitchen cabinets
You can organize a work area for cooking in a small country house in the space under the stairs. This will allow you to leave extra space for the bedroom or living room.
The location of the work area in this place has both advantages and disadvantages. The kitchen will be compact, and zones can be separated by partitions. There will be a sink, kitchen table, stove, refrigerator.
When choosing equipment, it is necessary to take into account the maximum possible height of the room used. This condition will not allow installing a tall and bulky refrigerator. In addition, in most cases there are no windows, so it is necessary to install high-power lamps.
Glass showcase
The option of decorating the free space under the rise to the second floor using glass partitions is less often used in residential premises. This idea will allow you to visually lighten any stepped structure, even the heaviest one.
Plates, crafts, cups, certificates, and medals are often stored in a glass cabinet. Glass will prevent dust and moisture from settling on things. It will add sophistication to the interior, and in combination with LED lighting, the new cabinet will also become a bright corner of the house.
It will be difficult to create a design for display displays on your own. It is necessary to take into account many nuances, so turning to specialists is the only right step to achieve the desired result.
Combination of methods
combining different types of cabinets is convenient and practical.
A combined design with drawers, shelves, hinged or sliding doors, and glass elements allows for rational use of all the space under the stairs. A small distance between the floor and the ceiling can be equipped with drawers, a large distance with large cabinets.
Combining any design with open shelving will eliminate the need for a massive staircase.
Accommodation options and ideas
Cabinets under stairs can take on a variety of shapes and be used for a variety of purposes. Here they set up storage rooms, “exhibitions” of collection wines behind glass display cases, small libraries, dressing rooms, shelves for shoes, bedding, and children’s toys. Everyone designs this space “for themselves,” focusing on the lack of places to store certain items. A country house with its own garden usually accumulates a lot of preserved food. Instead of a cellar, jars of jam and pickles can be placed on special stands in a neat cabinet under the stairs. If the height of the steps allows, then here you can create niches for storing kitchen utensils and build in a refrigerator. This option is ideal for those homes with small kitchens. If the staircase communicates with the living room, then under it there is a niche for a TV, complemented by shelves for books and photographs.
Open shelving
An open shelving unit under the stairs is the easiest option to implement. It is easy to build such furniture yourself. Typically, solid wood (boards) is used as the main material. Its derivatives (chipboard, MDF) will look a little “cheap”, especially when it comes to modern interiors. In such racks, either long shelves are made, or they are “cut” with transverse beams, exactly the length of the steps. Then the furniture will be organically combined with the design of the staircase. Here you can set up a library. Open shelves often alternate between orderly rows of books and magazines with potted indoor plants or small sculptures, collections of photographs on stands, vases, and other decor. For ease of use of the library, you can provide a seating area, organically fitting it into the design of the shelving. If the hall and staircase are combined with the kitchen, which is not uncommon in modern townhouses, kitchen utensils can be stored on open shelves. Another creative option is a double shelving unit with a row of hidden shelves. The front part moves away on wheels. On the “front” side you can store decor and books, and on the inside you can store personal items that should not be displayed.
Closet
The wardrobe under the stairs is also very popular. The main advantage of such furniture lies in the special design of the doors, which do not swing open, but slide to the sides on special “rails”. Thanks to this, the wardrobe does not take up much space and it does not need a “reserve” of free space for opening. Mirrored facades look stylish and modern. To diversify the furniture design, you can order etching of a pattern or ornament on the surface. Another option is to disguise the facades to match the color of the trim, so that the storage space becomes inconspicuous and blends into the interior.
Wardrobe with hinged doors
A cabinet with hinged doors under the stairs is rarely used. It loses in comparison with coupe models. If the owners nevertheless decide to install just such furniture, then it is usually divided into several vertical narrow sections. By the way, this makes it possible to stretch out the space and visually “raise the ceiling.” The original models are equipped not with simple horizontal shelves, which everyone is so accustomed to, but with pull-out modules. Such shelves go deep into the structure. This option is suitable for stairs with wide steps, where there is enough space for such shelves, which makes their use advisable.
Drawers
Drawers under the stairs are ideal for storing shoes and even outerwear. If a large family lives in the house, then this method of organizing space will save space in the hall or corridor. There can be many drawers, that is, several on top of each other. Then they are used to place small items. If the space under the stairs is divided vertically (under each step, one drawer), then the higher the steps, the larger the dimensions of the retractable shelf. In the small ones, shoes are laid out, in the larger ones, hooks for outerwear or special stands for umbrellas, canes, and shelves for hats are installed. All the traditional “filling” of the hallway can fit under the stairs, completely freeing up space at the front door.
Glass display cabinet
The glass display cabinet is a modern variation of the “Soviet” sideboards that used to be in every home, being part of the furniture “wall”. It is not at all necessary to store only grandma’s china or family sets “for the holiday.” Modern display cabinets are equipped with spot lighting, which emphasizes the shine of glass facades. Of course, this storage space is ideal for placing beautiful, expensive dishes, but you can go further and move your wine collection to the shelves or fill them with books or ceramic decor.
Combined methods
Combined methods of organizing space under flights of stairs imply a combination of all of the above options. For example, you can fit open and closed shelves, drawers and hinged or sliding compartment doors in one closet. In fact, such furniture is assembled like a construction set. First you need to study the content that will be placed inside. If these are things and books or dishes, then it is advisable to make some of the facades transparent or add open shelves to closed doors.
Wardrobe under the stairs and interior
When thinking about the purpose and appearance, you need to rely on the location of the staircase and the general style of the interior. Only in this case will the new furniture look natural and perform all its functions.
Living room
Combined or open shelving looks harmonious in the living room. They have a TV, library, figurines and decorative utensils. The high segments are distinguished by a dressing room.
Hallway
It is practical to install a closet under the stairs located at the entrance doors. It features casual clothing, shoes, bags, accessories and sports equipment. So that when entering the house you do not have a feeling of clutter, the closet is covered with linens as much as possible, leaving small racks for bags, umbrellas and shoes.
Kitchen area
When the staircase is located near the kitchen or dining room, the most convenient option would be a cascade of drawers and shelves.
They fit all kitchen utensils and some products. If space allows, household appliances are built in, and the façade is covered with flowing fabrics.
Duplex apartment
Shelves, retractable and combined, are appropriate here. Depending on the location of the stairs, a space for storing dishes, wardrobe or household items is equipped. To prevent the wardrobe from looking unnatural, you need to focus on the basic materials of the interior and stairs.
For example, if the staircase to the second floor is wooden, then a glossy model with plastic elements will have a minus. In this case, in addition to solid wood, veneered boards are suitable. Vertical and horizontal lines of shelves, doors and containers are combined with the lines of steps and flights of stairs. It will look natural.
it is necessary to take into account the main colors of the interior - the cabinet should be neutral to them or overlap the shades. In a narrow room, it is advisable to use light shades of materials and dilute the facade with mirrors. This will visually expand the space.
Internal filling
Depending on the type of storage space, the internal content of the piece of furniture may be as follows:
- hanger bar – you can install one or several bars;
- shelves:
- boxes;
- baskets – both stationary and retractable;
- crossbars for trousers, belts, etc.;
- shoe stands.
The filling can be done in any way you like.
Nuances of cabinet placement, design dimensions
The advantage of installing a cabinet under the stairs is the optimal dimensions of this piece of furniture. The depth of the structure is equal to the width of the steps. The height of the cabinet at its maximum point must be at least 0.95 m.
Such dimensions allow you to organize storage systems for household appliances, bulky items, clothes, shoes under the stairs, as well as equip a wine store or mini-bar, shelves for souvenirs, a TV area or a corner with aquarium fish.
The size of the flaps may vary. However, the large hinged cabinet door is inconvenient to use. It is better to install furniture with two small doors. The presence of areas with blind areas is allowed. They are convenient for storing boxes.
The maximum permissible width of hinged cabinet doors is 1 m. If this figure is larger, the hinges are deformed under the weight of the doors, as a result of which the built-in closing/opening mechanism will stop working.
If you plan to install open shelving under the stairs, it is necessary to match the shelves in width and height. This is done so that in the future they can store objects of different sizes. The weight of shelves loaded with things should not overload the stairs. It is better if their mass is moderate and evenly distributed over the entire area.
Filling elements
The filling, fittings, and components for cabinets are selected taking into account the needs of the residents, but there are certain standards that must be adhered to. “Dead” zones form in cabinets, reducing usable space. For a corner model this is a place in the corner, for other products - door frames that prevent the drawers from moving freely. The number of sections of the model depends on the number of sliding wardrobe doors. Internal elements are usually classified into mandatory, built-in, and additional.
Mandatory
Regardless of whether the wardrobe has 2 doors, three, four or more, there are elements of internal content that are present in all models of “correct” furniture. Mandatory details include:
- spacious shelves are a necessary element for a two-door, three-door cabinet or models with a large number of panels. Shelves connect the details of cabinet furniture;
- clothes rails - for an ideal compartment with one section with shelves, you need a section with a rod. Sometimes there is a combination of two compartments equipped with shelves, with one section equipped with a bar;
- drawers - without them, the ergonomics of the product are significantly reduced. The number of planned drawers depends on the number of sections.
The ideal configuration of a cabinet with two doors into two compartments includes a rod and roll-out baskets in the first compartment, shelves and drawers in the second section. Alternative ideas: the first compartment has two rods separated by a horizontal partition, and in the second section there is an installation of shelves and drawers. For the three-door version, the scheme consists of a rod, shelves in the first section, drawers and shelves in the second part, two dimensional compartments in the third section of the cabinet.
Drawers
Shelves
Barbell
Built-in
The layout of the cabinet is not limited to installing the required elements. In addition to traditional shelves, drawers, and hangers, selected built-in filling helps improve the ergonomics of the furniture design. If the closet is high, it will be inconvenient to get things from the upper mezzanine. That's why pantographs are built into furniture. Furniture elements can be installed under the ceiling and you can comfortably take things out and hang them back without using stepladders or chairs.
Furniture elevators or pantographs are metal structures that lift racks of clothes to a great height. They have a limited load of up to 15-18 kilograms. Products must be used strictly in accordance with their load capacity. The device is a simple functional part for filling high-height compartments.
Built-in elements include inclined modules for shoes. They are mounted on the lower tier of the compartment to the sidewalls of the sections. Types of filling of a sliding wardrobe photo demonstrates how convenient it is to position the fittings at an angle. This allows you to fit more pairs of shoes. Retractable mesh baskets can be built into the interior of the furniture, moving along guides with a roller or ball mechanism. Things that are located in such baskets are well ventilated.
Basket
Shoe modules
Pantograph
Decorative finishing
Filling the closet under the stairs in itself serves as an interior decoration. In addition, the sophisticated architecture of furniture will not tolerate decor, which will give it gloom. Just limit yourself to lighting and mirror surfaces.
Firstly, the space under the stairs is usually poorly lit, so additional light bulbs will not be superfluous here.
Secondly, mirror surfaces will make this corner visually larger and more spacious. You can also use furniture fittings - unusual handles, decorative facade ornaments. Cabinet doors can be covered with thermal film with an image and create a real panorama on the surface of the cabinet.
Do it yourself or to order?
Owners of country houses in most cases are proactive people and can build anything with their own hands, but is it necessary to do this?
The creation of such a piece of furniture requires precision measurements and high-quality execution of drawings. A qualified designer will be able to create an interesting project that takes into account the client’s wishes and fits organically into the interior. It is better to entrust installation work to experienced specialists.
Making custom staircase cabinets is more expensive than making the structure yourself. But in this case, the owner will receive not only a high-quality piece of furniture, created taking into account all the possibilities of space and desires, but also a guarantee for the product.
FAQ
What kind of cabinet under the stairs would be easiest for a novice craftsman with no experience to make?
The simplest model is an open shelving unit. In this case, you only need to assemble the frame and install the shelves.
Is it possible to install a spacious dressing room under the stairs?
Yes, but only if the space in the room allows. The dressing room is made behind closed doors, and the internal filling is made in the form of crossbars for hangers, shelves, shoe stands, drawers, etc.
Can a cupboard under the stairs replace a regular cupboard?
Yes, if the space under the stairs is of appropriate dimensions. In this case, you can make a full-fledged closet with several compartments.
What shape can I make a built-in wardrobe under the stairs?
Usually standard geometric shapes are used - rectangles, squares, trapezoids, etc. However, you can make a semicircular or other option, if space allows and it will fit harmoniously into the interior of the room.
What design is suitable for a built-in wardrobe under the stairs?
This piece of furniture fits any style. The main thing is to choose a suitable finish, for example, lining for country, bamboo for ethnic design, etc.
How to arrange the space under the stairs with your own hands
If you want to make a wardrobe yourself and install it under the stairs, you should start implementing such a project by developing a detailed drawing. Be sure to decide on the number of shelves, doors and storage compartments. In addition, it doesn’t hurt to choose the material for the exterior and interior decoration.
The back, side and top walls of the closet are replaced with the walls of the room and stairwell. This greatly simplifies installation work. Only the doors need external finishing.
Before you start building a cabinet under the stairs, you need to decide what will be stored in it
Tools and materials for installing a cabinet under the stairs yourself
To install furniture you will need a certain set of tools and materials. Before starting work, you should ensure that you have:
- furniture brackets and screws;
- pencil and tape measure;
- materials for the construction of the frame and interior decoration;
- drills, jigsaws and electric screwdrivers;
- material for external façade finishing;
- furniture fittings.
First you need to prepare the space under the stairs. To do this, you need to remove all unnecessary elements. To avoid damaging the coating during installation work, the floor surface must be covered with foil or cloth. It is better to make shelves for storing shoes compact, but larger sections are needed for outerwear. To create partitions, you can use sheets of chipboard or plasterboard.
The basic tools for making an under stairs cabinet are a drill, a jigsaw and a screwdriver. Immediately after manufacturing, it is recommended to mark each shelf so as not to mix up the parts during installation.
How to install a cabinet under the stairs: a step-by-step guide
Installation work is carried out in a certain sequence. All parts must be cut strictly according to the drawing, strictly adhering to the established dimensions. An electric jigsaw is suitable for this. You can also use a hacksaw. All operations must be performed very carefully.
Decorative panels can be used for interior decoration. The simplest design option is to apply paint or wallpaper. The choice of material and finishing method depends on the interior of the room, as well as on the individual preferences of the homeowners. To divide the space inside the closet, use internal partitions.
Before installing the shelves and fasteners, you need to mark them with a pencil. The length of these elements should correspond to the length of the niche. To secure the shelf, you will need two strips.
The most difficult stage of installation work is installing the door frame. This task requires a painstaking approach and careful calculations. Therefore, in the absence of the necessary skills, it is advisable to entrust the manufacture and installation of doors to specialists. The door is finished before it is installed. At the final stage, the internal fittings are fixed.
These include tremor hanging rods and coat hooks. In general, making a cabinet for installation under the stairs with your own hands does not cause serious difficulties. If you want to acquire not only a functional design, but also an exclusive piece of furniture that will become a worthy decoration of the room, it is better to hire professionals for this work.
In this case, the range of design solutions that can be used when creating a wardrobe expands significantly.
Door installation
Doors can be of two types:
- Wall-mounted, attached to the cabinet “drawer” on hinges.
- A “coupe” that “travels” along two monorails installed on the floor and ceiling.
In the first case, the hinges are selected based on the material from which the piece of furniture is made and the thickness of its doors. In addition, this essential element of swinging furniture is divided into several subtypes, which have minor differences in design features. There are seven groups of hinges in total: overhead, semi-overlay, reverse, mortise, adit, piano and heel.
The first option is most often used. There are marks on the furniture for the hinges. First, the “cups” are mounted into the frame, and then they begin to secure the connecting parts to the sashes. Installation of sliding doors is carried out according to a different algorithm:
- First, attach the track to the ceiling.
- Attach the profile to the floor.
- a latch is installed that will securely fix the doors in the closed state, preventing them from moving apart.
- Adjusting the position of the dampers.
The work is completed by securing the buffer tape around the perimeter of the cabinet. This additional element will prevent dust from entering the furniture.
Installation
You can build a cabinet under the stairs yourself if you properly prepare for the work and follow the step-by-step installation instructions.
Materials and tools
To make this piece of furniture, you will need the following materials and tools:
- materials for frames, internal filling, facades;
- fittings for doors, shelves, drawers, etc.;
- fasteners;
- brackets;
- electric drill, screwdriver;
- jigsaw;
- pencil, tape measure.
Preparing for work
Before starting installation of the product, you need to carefully prepare for work.
The preparation looks like this:
- Make a drawing of an interior item. To do this, calculate the size of the shelves, the height of the doors, etc. In order not to create a project yourself, you can take a ready-made version and adjust your dimensions to it.
- Sawing parts . It is carried out in accordance with the project. First, markings are made on the material, after which the corresponding elements are cut out. Each of them is marked with a serial number so as not to get confused during installation.
- Free up space under the stairs. They remove all unnecessary things and dismantle the flooring if necessary. Next, the floor and interior items located next to the stairs are covered with film to protect them from contamination.
Installation
To install the cabinet, proceed as follows:
- Assembling the frame. To do this, use either a metal profile or wooden racks. The frame is fixed to the floor and stairs using fasteners. At the same time, take into account that you need to leave a small gap for installing elements of the interior item.
- The frame is covered with material. For this, drywall, MDF, etc. are used. Next, install shelves, drawers, hanger bars, etc.
- The doors are fixed. First, the door frame is fixed, then the hinges are attached with fasteners. Only after this the sashes are installed.
Decoration
Decoration of the cabinet is carried out only after the complete assembly of the interior item.
Typically used:
- paint;
- wallpaper;
- decorative panels.
The main thing is to choose a finishing option that will harmoniously fit into the interior of the room.
Important note! Decoration of the sashes is carried out before they are fixed on the hinges.
Lighting
Any built-in closet under the stairs can be equipped with lighting. To do this, it is not necessary to extend wiring to the interior item, groove surfaces, etc. You can simply attach special lamps to battery-powered suction cups. Such lighting fixtures are installed either on the ceiling for general illumination of the space, or on each shelf to illuminate a specific area.
A built-in wardrobe under the stairs is a piece of furniture that does not take up useful space and helps optimize the space in the room. The main thing is to choose the right model for a specific design.
How to choose cabinet materials
When choosing a material, they are guided by the budget, operational characteristics of the staircase, purpose, future load and location of the structure. Therefore, they pay attention to strength, moisture resistance, environmental friendliness and compliance with the entire interior.
Wood boards
These are wood-based materials that are obtained by pressing sawdust, shavings and fibers. According to the pressing method, there are 2 types - chipboard and MDF.
Chipboard: sawdust and wood chips are pressed with formaldehyde resins. Cons: low strength (crumbling) and moisture resistance. Not suitable for cutting shaped products. Pros: low price.
Chipboard panels are available in a variety of finishes. The most popular are laminated chipboards.
MDF - fine shavings and sawdust compressed with natural substances. Pros: strength, moisture resistance, environmental friendliness, density and ductility. You can make complex carvings on the sheets, fasten fittings without any problems and create curved surfaces. Cons: the cost is more expensive than chipboard.
MDF panels are highly dense and are as strong as wood.
Wooden boards are available with coatings:
- Veneer. A thin layer of wood of different species, obtained by peeling or planing. The sheets are glued to wood boards. Therefore, the primary material is given the expensive and beautiful appearance of natural wood. Veneer increases resistance to the external environment and the service life of furniture.
- Lamination. Regular textured paper is used for coating. Pros: low price. Cons: vulnerability to moisture, shock loads and low strength. The situation requires extremely careful attention.
- Lamination. To cover the boards, several layers of paper are impregnated with melamine-formaldehyde resins. The result is a smooth and beautiful surface that is resistant to humidity, high temperatures and mechanical stress.
- Coloring. Covering slabs with different colorful compositions. To find out the characteristics, they are interested in the properties of the paint itself.
The face of the veneer corresponds to the type of wood from which it is made. Artificial coatings are available in different colors and textures, and can be ordered with a pattern if desired.
Tree
Solid wood cabinets are strong, beautiful and durable. Wooden furniture is rightly called elite, but it is expensive. Another disadvantage is the heavy weight and the need for special care.
An alternative to solid wood is furniture panels.
These are vertical or horizontal strips of different types of trees, fixed to a common panel. The material has a characteristic checkerboard surface.
Glass
It is used to decorate the facade, gives a beautiful appearance and eliminates the feeling of clutter in the structure.
Glasses are:
- mirror: hardened, different thicknesses, colored, with patterns and motifs;
- wavy: molded, figured, decorated, relief;
- matte: rough, matte surface, sometimes with patterns;
- painted: multi-colored glass, smooth or with a pattern.
Cabinets with mirrors, for example, in the hallway, play a functional role and visually expand the room. You should not skimp on accessories; too cheap products cannot be of high quality. Failures and improper operation of sliding, sliding and swinging mechanisms will inevitably lead to deformation of the entire furniture structure.
When purchasing, consider the expected load on the mechanisms and fasteners.
Plastic
It is used for making furniture in rooms with high humidity or for decorating facades. Pros: practicality and low price. Cons: toxic when heated, fading, quick scratching and chipping.
Facade decoration
What gives a wardrobe a designer look? Original design of facades, for the manufacture of which a variety of materials can be used. It is not necessary to make a cabinet for a built-in wardrobe, but as an option, the attic staircase can be supplemented with a cabinet model. The main materials used in the manufacture of furniture are MDF and chipboard, less often - solid natural wood. There are several ways to make and design facades:
- mirror panels - visually expand the space of the room, look appropriate in the hallway or dressing room. Behind the mirrored doors you can hide coat hangers, shoe shelves, hat shelves, and accessories;
- facades with photo printing - using professional equipment, a drawing is applied to the base using laser engraving and ultraviolet printing technology. Photo-quality finishing gives images a lifelike appearance;
- Sandblasting of colored glass. Very interesting design ideas - matte images that give the space near the stairs a luxurious and sophisticated look. Sandblasting structures are not erased and do not require complex maintenance;
- glossy plastic facades - this design visually increases the space of the room and looks impressive in contrast with the floor and carpet. Plastic is affordable, facades are presented in a wide color palette;
- doors made of rattan or bamboo. The decor is relevant in an interior in an ethno-oriental style. The material is lightweight and looks simple and natural. Rattan and bamboo can fit into a minimalist interior.
In addition, decorative leather is used to decorate the facades - it goes well with furniture made of natural wood. If the staircase in the attic is made in a simple style, with minimal furniture, then you can equip a modest wardrobe and use vertical blinds as facade panels.
This wardrobe looks inconspicuous under the stairs; it does not focus attention on the niche underneath
The closet-rack is equipped with open shelves, so all things and objects will be in sight. If it is necessary to close some sections, it is better to install combined furniture.
Popular design ideas for furniture frames include an open section and shelves with a curve, a central compartment, a compartment with a hinged door, or a drawer with a decorative panel. You can choose any furniture design for the staircase, but the decoration of the facades should be in harmony with the design of the steps, the rest of the furniture and the style of the room.
Varieties
There are several types of cabinets that can be installed under the stairs. This allows you to choose the optimal piece of furniture.
Without doors
This is an open shelving unit with lots of shelves. They are easy to install and therefore are in high demand. Typically, such a piece of furniture is installed in the living room or kitchen to store books, dishes, etc. The rack fits harmoniously into any room design. The main drawback is that things on the shelves quickly gather dust due to the lack of doors.
With hinged doors
A classic wardrobe with a standard way of opening the doors. Inside the product you can install hanging rods, shelves, drawers, baskets, etc. This piece of furniture can replace not only a standard wardrobe, but also a dressing room, if the space under the stairs allows. The model is distinguished by ease of manufacture, functionality, and visual appeal.
With sliding doors
A sliding wardrobe is a compact piece of furniture. Thanks to the sliding doors, it does not take up much space. The model fits harmoniously into any interior. Mirrors are usually installed on doors to evaluate your appearance before leaving the house. The main disadvantage of a sliding wardrobe is the complexity of execution. To make sliding doors, you need to have the appropriate knowledge and skills. For this reason, it is better for inexperienced craftsmen to choose another model.
With drawers
A cabinet with drawers is usually used when storage space is required for small items for various purposes - various accessories, kitchen utensils, etc. Boxes can be made of different sizes, capacities, etc. The interior item can be made not only with drawers, but also with baskets. The latter elements are most often used for linen.
A cabinet with only drawers is rarely equipped, since it is difficult to make a large number of facades yourself and is not economically profitable.
Modular cabinet
Stylish modern piece of furniture. It is assembled from several modules, which eliminates the need to independently assemble the frame, install shelves, drawers, doors, etc. However, the main difficulty is that it is difficult to select modules of suitable sizes for a specific staircase space.
Combined
Combined cabinets under the stairs are the most popular interior items. They combine several models at once - open shelving, products with drawers, with doors, etc. Such cabinets are characterized by functionality, ease of use, and visual appeal. These interior items can be selected to suit any room design.
Expert opinion
Erokhin Sergey Nikolaevich
cabinetmaker, work experience - more than 15 years
If you need to make your own built-in wardrobe under the stairs, then it is best to choose models with a minimum number of doors and facades. Each such element complicates the work of the master, since it must first be cut, then decorated, and only then installed. That is why it is easiest to make open shelving. All that is needed in this case is to install the frame and screw the shelves to it. No special finishing is required here. If you need a stylish wardrobe, then it is best to entrust its manufacture to professionals.
Filling the space under the stairs
The space under the stairs can be decorated with a variety of storage systems, for example:
- For clothes and shoes.
- Bookshelf.
- For storing kitchen utensils.
- Household goods.
- Decorative elements.
What can be arranged under the staircase space
Under the staircase space you can arrange a variety of storage spaces:
- Open shelving. Essentially, cabinets without doors on which dishes, books, magazine files, small decor or, for example, collections of dolls are placed if the staircase is located next to the children's room.
- Cabinets for things (towels, bedding) and kitchen utensils.
- Pantry. Another simple but very useful option. Behind its closed doors you can store food supplies, canned goods and homemade pickles. In such a pantry, jars will not become moldy, as often happens in basements and cellars.
- Wardrobe. An ideal option for small country houses where there is no room for this interior element either in the bedroom or in the attic. You can arrange a small dressing room for seasonal clothes and shoes near the hallway, or a full-fledged storage space for most things. The closet space is divided into sections: in the center there is a rod for hangers, on the sides there are shelves, and at the bottom there are drawers for shoes. Hinged doors from the inside are complemented with special holders for belts and jewelry. The finishing touch will be a small ottoman or bench, which, if necessary, can be pulled out and you can comfortably try on shoes on it.
- A bookcase or shelving unit with open shelves. This option can be supplemented with a free-standing couch or a seating area can be built in instead of a window sill if there is a window nearby.
- Part of a set with several vertices of the “working triangle” of the kitchen. For example, a refrigerator, oven, sink or stove. The remaining components of the kitchen set are placed side by side on the adjacent wall. The finished kitchen is very compact and ergonomic. This option is suitable for two-story apartments, which are designed according to studio principles.
In addition to storage space, under the stairs you can arrange a compact office, a mini-workshop for a needlewoman, and even a full-fledged bathroom. The latter option is very popular in large houses, where there is a bathroom on each floor. The original ceiling configuration will only add charm and creativity to a small room.
Here you can also install a pull-out bed, which, when assembled, is disguised as fake cabinet fronts. This option is suitable for those houses where guests often gather, but there is no separate room for receiving them.
Interesting ideas in a private house
The staircase leading to the second floor in a country cottage can be located along the wall or in the center of the room, have a straight shape or have a design with a certain bend.
Inside a private house, under a flight of stairs, there are several storage systems, such as a pantry, a lighted display case for collectible wine bottles, a small library, a dressing room and others.
At the dacha, the space under the stairs is often occupied by special supports, a clean cabinet or shelves for jars of jam or other storage.
If the height of the steps is sufficient, the space under the stairs is designed in sections to accommodate various dishes and other utensils. This solution will be especially appropriate for a small kitchen in the house. In the living room under the stairs, there is mainly a structure that occupies the position of the TV, and there are also additional shelves for books, photo frames and other furnishings.
Also in this area you can arrange a compact work area or a mini-workshop, where, thanks to the original configuration of the cabinet, the room will acquire a special charm and creative look.
Materials
The following materials are used for the manufacture of interior items:
- Tree. Eco-friendly durable material. It is used to make both the frame of the interior item and the internal filling and facades. The disadvantages of wood are high cost and lack of resistance to the negative effects of moisture. For this reason, it is usually used to arrange small cabinets or open shelving under the stairs in the hall or hallway.
- Chipboard, MDF, laminated chipboard . Such materials are used as an alternative to wood. They have a more affordable price, so they are in high demand. However, before purchasing, you need to pay special attention to the availability of certificates, since the production of some materials may use harmful substances, which makes their use unsafe for the manufacture of interior items.
- Glass, bamboo, rattan, etc. Such materials are usually used for facades or interior decoration.
- Metal. This material can be used to make a frame, individual filling elements of the product - rods, etc.
Photos of cabinets in the interior
The basement is decorated using any furniture. It is desirable that this furniture have decorative accessories, finishing and materials that match the flight of stairs in color and style. In this way, you can get a more durable structure that favorably integrates the interior of the entire room.
Quite often, the design includes products made from MDF, chipboard or wooden models. For furniture facades, photo printing, sandblasted patterns, opaque images, colored and transparent glass with backlighting or mirrored doors are sometimes used, which are especially suitable for organizing a dressing room or corridor.
A shelf-shaped wine bar with compartments and racks for bottles will fit perfectly under the stairs in the dining room or living room. For the kitchen space, you can equip a suite in this area, and in the hallway you can take up space under the steps with a hanger, shoe shelves or small racks for storing things, keys and umbrellas.
The nursery has space to store children's toys, books, clothes and shoes. If there is a more spacious closet under the stairs, you can store a bicycle and various sports equipment.
