UP FRONT | TRENDS
UNDER THE STAIR SPACE How to make the most of your home’s hidden gem BY KRISTEN SEYMOUR
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inding clever ways to utilize previously unused space in your house is always a smart idea — and it’s never been more on trend than during the last several months, when so many of us are spending more time than ever at home. One of the areas homeowners and designers alike are finding creative uses for is the space beneath the staircase. Whether you opt to tackle this project yourself or enlist the help of a professional, “The space under the staircase is a hidden gem,” says Nicole White, president and principal designer for Nicole White Designs in Miami. From streamlined
26 HOME | 2021
storage and workstations to mud nooks and powder rooms, this space has the potential to become a cozy and coveted corner of your home — especially if you keep the following in mind.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN Don’t start swinging that sledgehammer just yet, cautions White, who says you should never assume the space exists. “There could be plumbing or electrical (systems beneath your stairs), so don’t just start knocking out walls.” In fact, if you have a bathroom at the top of your stairs, it’s very likely that you’ll have plumbing in that area — which can be a good thing if you’re interested
in turning the space into a powder room. You may be able to tap into that existing plumbing, but you’ll need to embark on the demolition process with care. If your home has a staircase below your main stairs, you may not be able to do much with that space, says Ben Herzog, principal at Ben Herzog Architect, PC, in Brooklyn, N.Y. At least, not without a little extra work. “If you can relocate that lower stair or eliminate it, there are loads of options,” he says, although he recommends thinking long and hard before removing a lower staircase entirely in case you (or a prospective buyer) need access to your basement in >
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Whether you’re writing the great American novel or just enjoy reading them, you might love a reading nook with a comfy bench, plush pillows, shelves to store all your favorites and plenty of light.
