Inspiration for a small eclectic home office in Other with a library, brown walls, light hardwood floors, no fireplace, a built-in desk, brown floor and wood walls.

Office space under the stairs.
Photo of a small contemporary home office in San Francisco with white walls, medium hardwood floors and a freestanding desk.

In order to meld with the clean lines of this contemporary Boulder residence, lights were detailed such that they float each step at night. This hidden lighting detail was the perfect complement to the cascading hardscape. Architect: Mosaic Architects, Boulder Colorado Landscape Architect: R Design, Denver Colorado Photographer: Jim Bartsch Photography Key Words: Lights under stairs, step lights, lights under treads, stair lighting, exterior stair lighting, exterior stairs, outdoor stairs outdoor stair lighting, landscape stair lighting, landscape step lighting, outdoor step lighting, LED step lighting, LED stair Lighting, hardscape lighting, outdoor lighting, exterior lighting, lighting designer, lighting design, contemporary exterior, modern exterior, contemporary exterior lighting, exterior modern, modern exterior lighting, modern exteriors, contemporary exteriors, modern lighting, modern lighting, modern lighting design, modern lighting, modern design, modern lighting design, modern design

This innovative fitted furniture solution converts a previously unused area under the staircase and transforms it into a stylish home study area with plenty of storage. Each element of the bespoke, handcrafted understairs office has been carefully considered to not only maximise space but work as efficiently as possible. Everything is in easy reach yet stored away neatly and conveniently to create a sophisticated home office area.

The space under the stairs was made useful as a coffee bar and for overflow storage. Ample lighting and a sink make it useful for entertaining as well. Photos: Dave Remple

FAMILY HOME IN SURREY The architectural remodelling, fitting out and decoration of a lovely semi-detached Edwardian house in Weybridge, Surrey. We were approached by an ambitious couple who’d recently sold up and moved out of London in pursuit of a slower-paced life in Surrey. They had just bought this house and already had grand visions of transforming it into a spacious, classy family home. Architecturally, the existing house needed a complete rethink. It had lots of poky rooms with a small galley kitchen, all connected by a narrow corridor – the typical layout of a semi-detached property of its era; dated and unsuitable for modern life. MODERNIST INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE Our plan was to remove all of the internal walls – to relocate the central stairwell and to extend out at the back to create one giant open-plan living space! To maximise the impact of this on entering the house, we wanted to create an uninterrupted view from the front door, all the way to the end of the garden. Working closely with the architect, structural engineer, LPA and Building Control, we produced the technical drawings required for planning and tendering and managed both of these stages of the project. QUIRKY DESIGN FEATURES At our clients’ request, we incorporated a contemporary wall mounted wood burning stove in the dining area of the house, with external flue and dedicated log store. The staircase was an unusually simple design, with feature LED lighting, designed and built as a real labour of love (not forgetting the secret cloak room inside!) The hallway cupboards were designed with asymmetrical niches painted in different colours, backlit with LED strips as a central feature of the house. The side wall of the kitchen is broken up by three slot windows which create an architectural feel to the space.

Convert a small space to a polished eye-catching and functional home office. We used white painted maple wood veneers and solid wood painted doors, moldings and trims to give the space a formal style. This home office boasts under cabinet LED lighting, doors with glass inserts, upper cabinets surrounded by wrap around shelving for books and accent pieces and sturdy maple wood drawers for storing office supplies or filing important documents.

Super functional under stair storage cabinets. Super heavy duty glides give access to the huge storage cabinets.
Traditional staircase in Orange County.

FAMILY HOME IN SURREY The architectural remodelling, fitting out and decoration of a lovely semi-detached Edwardian house in Weybridge, Surrey. We were approached by an ambitious couple who’d recently sold up and moved out of London in pursuit of a slower-paced life in Surrey. They had just bought this house and already had grand visions of transforming it into a spacious, classy family home. Architecturally, the existing house needed a complete rethink. It had lots of poky rooms with a small galley kitchen, all connected by a narrow corridor – the typical layout of a semi-detached property of its era; dated and unsuitable for modern life. MODERNIST INTERIOR ARCHITECTURE Our plan was to remove all of the internal walls – to relocate the central stairwell and to extend out at the back to create one giant open-plan living space! To maximise the impact of this on entering the house, we wanted to create an uninterrupted view from the front door, all the way to the end of the garden. Working closely with the architect, structural engineer, LPA and Building Control, we produced the technical drawings required for planning and tendering and managed both of these stages of the project. QUIRKY DESIGN FEATURES At our clients’ request, we incorporated a contemporary wall mounted wood burning stove in the dining area of the house, with external flue and dedicated log store. The staircase was an unusually simple design, with feature LED lighting, designed and built as a real labour of love (not forgetting the secret cloak room inside!) The hallway cupboards were designed with asymmetrical niches painted in different colours, backlit with LED strips as a central feature of the house. The side wall of the kitchen is broken up by three slot windows which create an architectural feel to the space.

Solid jatoba treads accent this closed riser cherry wood staircase. This traditional stair blends fine details with simple design. The natural finish accentuates the true colour of the solid wood. The stairs’ open, saw tooth style stringers show the beautiful craftsmanship of the treads. Photography by Jason Ness

The staircase combines a custom walnut millwork screen and industrial steel detailing. Below the stairs, we designed a built in workspace. © Joe Fletcher Photography

Here we have a good example of under stairs cupboard with pull out doors, it has a beautiful design and is functional
This is an example of a contemporary staircase in Other.

The designers of this home brought us a real challenge; to build a unsupported curved stair that looks like stacked lumber. We believe this solid oak curved stair meets that challenge. LED lighting adds a modern touch to a rustic project. The widening effect at the bottom of the stair creates a welcoming impression. Our innovative design creates a look that floats on air. Photography by Jason Ness

Here we have a good example of under stairs cupboard with pull out doors, it has a beautiful design and is functional
Photo of a contemporary staircase in Other.

Utilizing residual space under stair for laundry and pet nook. photo by Pk Langshaw
Design ideas for an eclectic laundry room in Montreal with white walls and a side-by-side washer and dryer.

Built on the former site of a casino, this residence reflects the client's desire to have a home that is welcoming to family members and friends while complementing the historic site on which it is located. This home is formal and stately, with classic American detailing outside and in. Photo Credit: Brian Vanden Brink

Contemporary hallway in London.

A book loving family of four, Dan, Julia and their two daughters were looking to add on to and rearrange their three bedroom, one bathroom home to suit their unique needs for places to study, rest, play, and hide and go seek. A generous lot allowed for a addition to the north of the house connecting to the middle bedroom/den, and the design process, while initially motivated by the need for a more spacious and private master bedroom and bathroom, evolved to focus around Dan & Julia distinct desires for home offices. Dan, a Minnesotan Medievalist, craved a cozy, wood paneled room with a nook for his reading chair and ample space for books, and, Julia, an American Studies professor with a focus on history of progressive children's literature, imagined a bright and airy space with plenty of shelf and desk space where she could peacefully focus on her latest project. What resulted was an addition with two offices, one upstairs, one downstairs, that were animated very differently by the presence of the connecting stair--Dan's reading nook nestled under the stair and Julia's office defined by a custom bookshelf stair rail that gave her plenty of storage down low and a sense of spaciousness above. A generous corridor with large windows on both sides serves as the transitional space between the addition and the original house as well as impromptu yoga room. The master suite extends from the end of the corridor towards the street creating a sense of separation from the original house which was remodeled to create a variety of family rooms and utility spaces including a small "office" for the girls, an entry hall with storage for shoes and jackets, a mud room, a new linen closet, an improved great room that reused an original window that had to be removed to connect to the addition. A palette of local and reclaimed wood provide prominent accents throughout the house including pecan flooring in the addition, barn doors faced with reclaimed pine flooring, reused solid wood doors from the original house, and shiplap paneling that was reclaimed during remodel. Photography by: Michael Hsu

Super functional under stair storage cabinets. Super heavy duty glides give access to the huge storage cabinets.
Design ideas for a traditional staircase in Orange County.