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What to Do With That Awkward Spot by the Stairs
That curious spot at the bottom of the staircase could be more useful than you think
Rethinking the space around the stairs could give you a special reading nook, a place to stash your keys, or even the impetus to rearrange a whole room. Look to these houses for inspiration – it just might spark an idea for what to do at your place.
Hang it. If your home lacks a formal entrance, there’s no reason you can’t put the spot by the stairs to good use with a rack or stand for coats and bags. Or, in this case, beach towels.
If your coat rack is stylish or quirky, it will add form as well as function to an otherwise dead space.
Art at work. Pictures don’t always have to be hung on walls to be noticed. The stairs in this eclectic Sydney home serve as a gallery. The collection is sure to catch people’s attention as they make their way up or down the stairs.
Instant lift. If the stairs at your house dominate the entrance area, adding a bench seat can make great use of the space. This one has been custom designed to blend in with the stair design, but it could be just as lovely to pop a standalone bench seat there – no carpentry required.
Like this one, for example.
Space enhancer. Pushing a sofa up against the staircase might mean the living area becomes a thoroughfare, but it may be just what you need to make the room appear bigger.
On show. No matter how small the space you have to work with, don’t discount the possibility of adding a narrow table. A small display surface is all you need to add interest and loveliness.
Cosy addition. Armchairs can be such useful items, even if you never sit on them. Just like bedrooms, where an armchair or two can add grace and charm, an armchair at the bottom of the stairs can add a positively homely touch. Necessary? Probably not. Nice? Definitely.
View point. This is a great solution for homes tight on space. Staircase shelving that incorporates the TV can free up a whole wall in the rest of the room for fabulous artwork and extra seating. Brilliant.
Thoughtful touches. You don’t have to make elaborate changes to that awkward spot to make a difference. A chair you love and an umbrella stand, for example, add loads of character. It’s often the small details that make a house feel like a home.
Clutter buster. A house can never have too much storage, and when it ties in with the tones and materials of the rest of the house, adding more can only be a winning move.
YOUR SAY
How have you made the most of the space near the stairs at your house? Share your ideas in the comments section.
MORE
On the Way Up: Stairs That Elevate to a New Level
Step Back: How to Use the Space Under Your Stairs
A Dozen Ways to Give Your Stairs a Creative Makeover
Bambooozled by Balustrades? Read On
YOUR SAY
How have you made the most of the space near the stairs at your house? Share your ideas in the comments section.
MORE
On the Way Up: Stairs That Elevate to a New Level
Step Back: How to Use the Space Under Your Stairs
A Dozen Ways to Give Your Stairs a Creative Makeover
Bambooozled by Balustrades? Read On
More: 13 Ways to Make Space for All Your Books