Even the owners of private houses, despite the large areas, strive to use all the space as efficiently as possible. One of the places that allows you to do this is the flight staircase. Rather, not the structure itself, designed to climb to the upper floor, but a rather large area under it. A competent approach will allow you to build a wardrobe under the stairs, which will have enough space to store not only clothes, but also other things.
Features of placing the cabinet under the stairs
Such unusual furniture will provide a number of advantages.
- First of all, it is a rational approach to the use of free space.
- The ability to choose the most interesting solution that can make the interior unique and complete.
- This will make it easier to maintain order.
If we talk about the weaknesses of such a solution, then they include the following:
- a serious approach to drawing up a project, if you do not feel sufficient skill in yourself, it is better to turn to professionals;
- non-standard geometry of the space increases the complexity of installation;
- the construction of the stairs should not suffer from such a neighborhood.
The idea of arranging a space under the stairs can be peeped on the Internet, adapting it to the characteristics of the room and the planned purpose. The closet under the stairs can become a storage place for clothes, books, household items, wine stocks, etc. You can even equip a corner in which several lockers, a sofa and a table can easily fit. Sometimes you just need to isolate yourself from everyone, work or relax alone.
Since the sizes and shapes of stairs are very different, ready-made models for installation simply do not exist, moreover, parts of cabinet furniture will reduce the usable area. It is best to build a cabinet into the resulting niche, using the walls, the floor and the part located under the steps in the form of the main structural elements.
Types of designs for built-in cabinets under the stairs
If desired, several approaches can be used simultaneously to create a built-in cabinet in order to obtain the most optimal and non-trivial solution.
The load-bearing elements of the built-in furniture will be the walls, a section of the staircase and the floor. A so-called false frame is sufficient to secure the sashes. It is a frame made around the perimeter, 10 cm wide. For production, laminated chipboard is used. Guides are mounted on the lower and upper elements. Side strips serve as bumpers for sliding doors. This approach will help hide small irregularities and give the facade a finished look.
If plasterboard cladding is performed, you will first need to make a frame from metal profiles or wooden bars. Shelves and a door system are subsequently attached to it.
The materials used are:
- wood, not only a frame is made of it, but also boxes, doors, shelves;
- Particleboard and MDF are more affordable and can serve as an alternative to expensive natural wood;
- the main purpose of the metal - fasteners, fittings, frame structure, guides, elements for organizing a storage system;
- glass, mirrors, plastic, bamboo, rattan, leather are used to decorate the facade.
Internal filling of the cabinet built under the stairs
It is important to decide in advance what exactly the cabinet under the stairs will be used for. This approach will help you more accurately determine the internal content.
If the furniture is intended to store clothes, the following items will be required:
- a bar (one or more) for hangers;
- shelves;
- pull-out baskets or drawers;
- inclined shoe racks;
- trouser;
- device for storing scarves, ties, belts;
- shallow drawer with compartments where you can quickly find small items.
Several rows of shelves provide storage for books. The back wall with mirror and lighting will present any collection in all its glory. A similar design is appropriate for a rack with beautiful dishes.
It is convenient to put your homemade products on the shelves in a closed cabinet.
The makeshift wine cellar consists of shelves divided into sections sized to hold a standard bottle.
Types and arrangement of facades of built-in wardrobes
Particular attention should be paid to the facade. It is he who will be responsible for the design style. For these purposes, all types of materials used in the manufacture of furniture are used.
The budget option in the form of laminated chipboard is not highly reliable, it would be preferable to stay on MDF.
Natural wood, of course, has a lot of advantages, the only drawback is the high price.
Good opportunities are provided by the use of glass. Matte canvases are adorned with whimsical images and patterns made using sandblasting technique. Stained glass inserts will give the facade a luxurious look. The application of colored varnish from a wide palette of shades will allow you to choose the tone that is most suitable for the rest of the interior items.
Mirrors add light and volume, visually expand the boundaries of the room. And also such a surface will play the role of a kind of pier glass, which, undoubtedly, will be appreciated by the entire female part of the family.
High-quality plastic requires minimal maintenance, has a wide range of colors and textures, weighs little and is affordable.
Natural materials (rattan, bamboo) will bring ethnic notes to the design of the room, add warmth and comfort. They look simple and elegant at the same time.
You can also decorate the facade using photo printing, cover it with leather.
Another unusual method involves a combination of natural and artificial materials. The elements of natural origin that you like are placed between the two acrylic panels: shells, leaves, grass, bamboo, etc.
An interesting solution is to make the facade not from a single sheet, but to make a separate door for each section. This approach is used in the case of internal filling from drawers. It should be borne in mind that in material terms, the design will cost more, but this will allow you to get quick access to the content.
Other facade options include combinations of different materials. The plots can be in the form of different geometric shapes.
Also, the facade can be straight or radius. The combination of the convex and concave portions creates a wave effect.
What mechanism for opening the facades to choose for the cabinet under the stairs
Different door opening systems are used for built-in wardrobes.
Swing structures are considered the simplest and most reliable. The door leaves are attached to the frame with hinges. The advantages of this type include:
- ease of use;
- lack of noise during operation;
- full accessibility to the interior space;
- reasonable price.
Modern models can be equipped with door closers and hinges for better performance.
The only weak point is the need for free space in front of the cabinet. If the room is not large in size, then you should choose another option.
Sliding doors move along guides within the cabinet, and do not need additional space. The movement takes place thanks to a roller system.
Such doors look very impressive and can decorate any interior.
It is worth considering that their service life depends on the material of the guides. Aluminum rails will last up to 25 years, but steel rails can fail much earlier.
The device of sliding doors is rather complicated, which is reflected in their cost.
Quite often their work is accompanied by noise.
The view of the interior is cut in half, as one part of the cabinet is always left behind the sash.
The useful volume of furniture is reduced due to the installation of a sliding system.
The cargo system is a series of 2-3 pull-out sections that follow the geometry of the space under the stairs. By their design, they are similar to racks, the movement of which is provided by rollers. The highest unit can be equipped with a bar to hang clothes on hangers.
Folding doors take an intermediate position. The canvas consists of several parts, held together by loops. During opening, they are folded like a book or an accordion, and displaced to the walls of the cabinet. The movement takes place along the guide located in the upper part. Currently there are 2-rail models. This technique allows you to increase the stability of the door leaf.
Folding doors are usually lightweight, do not obstruct access to things located in any part of the cabinet, and also take up little space.
DIY cabinet under the stairs
Before making a closet under the stairs in the house, it is necessary to carry out the appropriate work. After the question of the purpose of the furniture has been resolved, they proceed to the preparatory stage.
What you need to know to mount the cabinet
Actions begin with the execution of the drawing. The necessary measurements (depth, height and width) will help with this. It is important to think over the filling of the product to the smallest detail: the number, dimensions and location of shelves, boxes, partitions, etc. The dimensions of the structure are determined by the space under the stairs. Carefully study the condition of the surfaces, and make corrections for curvature. Measurements of width, height and depth are taken at several points. For a built-in cabinet, it is customary to take the maximum values.
Professionals advise to indent about 60 cm from the bottom step, since this area will not provide much storage space, and it will be inconvenient to use it. It is more appropriate to plan a partition in this place.
When determining the dimensions of the shelves, it is necessary to take into account the thickness of the material from which they will be made. The recommended maximum length is 60 cm, if this value is exceeded, deflection occurs. For a bookcase, the shelves should be even shorter due to the heavy load.
The location of the sliding sections is determined by the width of the doors, otherwise it will be problematic to use them.
The method of opening the flaps is also chosen. It is better for a novice master to stop at the simplest option - swing doors.
According to the detailed drawing, it is much easier to calculate the necessary materials, accessories, fasteners. To the received quantity it is worth adding a stock in case of unforeseen situations.
If you plan to make a closet under the stairs with your own hands, tools are prepared in advance. For work you may need:
- grinder with a set of discs;
- hammer;
- jigsaw;
- screwdriver;
- electric drill;
- tape measure and pencil.
Stages of mounting the cabinet under the stairs
Before proceeding with the installation, the material is cut. If in doubt that you will do this work carefully, it is worth contacting a furniture workshop.
Assembling the frame
They start with the manufacture of the frame. It is made of wood or a metal profile reinforced with wooden bars. Each post is attached to the surface at a 90 ° angle. Holes are drilled in the wall and floor, dowels are driven in, the structure is fixed with thin and long screws. Be sure to leave a small backlash in order to finally align the structure after connecting all the parts. Check it again and only then fix it. Sheathing is carried out with plasterboard, and the canvases are fixed with self-tapping screws. The resulting ends are closed with an aluminum corner. This technique will protect the material from destruction and add additional rigidity.
Installation of internal filling
The next stage involves the installation of partitions according to the preliminary marking. To install the shelves, you will need 2 bars for each unit. If they are attached directly to the wall surface, then Euro screws are used, and they are fixed on the frame with self-tapping screws. Stationary shelves are fastened to the supports.
The bar is inserted into the prepared recesses and securely fixed.
They try to keep all the details in the same style. To do this, they can be painted or pasted over with a special film. It is better to choose light shades so that the space does not look very gloomy.
Installation of built-in wardrobe doors (swing mechanism)
The most difficult stage is hanging the doors. It begins with the installation of the door frame. Its parts are attached to the frame with self-tapping screws. Hinges are installed on the door frame, and the leaves are screwed to them. For these purposes, an invoice type of fittings is used. With its help, you can eliminate small distortions that arise over time.
[email protected] site
P.S. We do not sell furniture, we only help you get acquainted with what happens and navigate in the choice.
Staircase is an essential element of any multi-storey building, including duplex apartments and private houses. For its organization, a certain area is allocated, which, with a competent approach, can be used to store various household items and clothes.
Functional wardrobe located under the stairs
Modern constructors, architects and designers pay a lot of attention to the organization of the space located under the stairs. One of the most successful and popular options is to install a built-in wardrobe under the stairs. There is enough space under the aisle to store things here.
The cabinet under the stairs allows you to use every centimeter of free space, use it profitably and for its intended purpose. This solution allows you to beautifully arrange a place for storing household items, unnecessary trifles or clothes. In addition, the closet under the stairs can act as a decor, giving the interior a special charm and beauty.
Today there are a huge number of ideas that make it possible to translate this dream into reality. Before starting work, look at the photos of the finished work, and you will also need competent and detailed instructions for installing a built-in structure with your own hands. This can be either a written instruction or video material.
Types of cabinets built into the staircase: 5 options
If you decide that the closet under the stairs is vital for you, then you should decide on its type. There are the following options for under the stairs:
- Closed wardrobes in traditional design. Inside, you can use completely different filling options: shelves, hooks. All this is closed by ordinary hinged doors. The sizes of the doors can be very different. It is allowed to make blind areas for storing boxes.
- Sliding wardrobes are an excellent alternative to wardrobes with hinged doors. They allow you to save a lot of free space due to the fact that their doors do not swing open, but move along the guides. In this case, the doors are best done with the same height. Otherwise, it may be difficult to move them along the guides.
- It is very convenient to place open shelving under the steps. Simple shelves are great for storing books or decor. Multilevel racks with beveled or rectangular sections can be installed.
- The drawers are very easy to use. They are suitable for storing small items that should not be put on public display and are difficult to place in cabinets on the shelves. These boxes can be mounted on a special frame using internal rails.
- Glass showcases are suitable for storing tableware, souvenirs and other decorative items. Ideal if the staircase is located in the living room or dining room. The presence of glass doors at the showcase will reliably protect things from dust. And to achieve the maximum decorative effect, you can equip the showcase with an LED strip. Such glass showcases will give the interior a feeling of incredible lightness and visually expand the space, making it more functional.
Having decided on the design of the cabinet under the stairs, you should pay attention to the material from which it will be made. The most common today are the following materials:
- A tree that can be used to create the frame of the product, as well as in the manufacture of individual elements of cabinets (drawers, shelves, doors, and so on).
- Particleboard and MDF are materials that are used as an alternative to wood. They are cheaper and can be used to create doors and shelves.
- Almost all fasteners are based on metal. The frame of some models, as well as guides, are made from it. This also includes fasteners for internal filling.
- Mirrors and glass are ideal for decorating structures. Cabinet doors and shelves can be created from these materials.
Solid wood cabinet under the stairs In order for the staircase structure to turn into a functional wardrobe under the stairs, you need to carefully consider the appearance, as well as choose the material for the structure. And then it’s a matter of technology. Making your dream come true will not be a problem.
Focus on photo and video materials, and also make sure that you always have instructions on how to install a built-in structure with your own hands. With this approach, you are guaranteed to get excellent results.
Do-it-yourself detailed instructions for installing a built-in structure
Having made the decision to make the cabinet under the stairs yourself, you need to make a detailed drawing. Count the number of shelves, sections and doors. Decide on the texture of the interior and exterior. The work is simplified by the fact that the role of the top, side and back walls of the cabinet is played by the staircase and the walls of the room. Therefore, finishing is required only for the doors of the product.
Required tools and materials
To work you will need certain materials and tools:
- Roulette and pencil.
- Self-tapping screws and brackets for furniture.
- Electric jigsaw, drill and screwdriver.
- Material for creating the frame and interior decoration.
- Material for finishing the front side.
- Furniture fittings.
Prepare the space under the stairs by freeing it from foreign objects. In order not to damage the flooring during operation, cover it with a cloth or film.
Be sure to label the shelves according to their location immediately after production. It is best to make small sections for shoes, and large ones for outerwear. Partitions are erected from plasterboard or chipboard. Combine clothing sections with different shelves or drawers.
Stages of self-assembly of the cabinet under the stairs
Adhere to the following sequence of actions:
- Cut out the details strictly with the dimensions indicated in the drawing. You can use a hacksaw or electric jigsaw for this. Do not forget that all elements require a careful approach and adherence to dimensions.
- The interior space can be finished with decorative panels. The easiest option is to wallpaper or paint. It all depends on the individual preferences of the residents.
- Install internal partitions for zoning the space.
- Use a pencil to mark places for shelves and other fasteners. To install one shelf, use two sticks. The length of the shelves must match the length of the niche.
It is better to entrust the installation of exclusive cabinets under the stairs to experienced craftsmen.
- The door leaf is decorated before installation.
- At the last stage, hooks and rods are installed inside the cabinets for hanging the hangers.
Result
Making a wardrobe under the stairs with your own hands is quite simple. But, if you want to get not just a functional product, but an exclusive model that adequately decorates the room, then it is best to turn to professionals for help.
Experts will make all dreams come trueThe end result, created by the company's craftsmen, is guaranteed to please not only all family members, but also guests.
There is a constant lack of storage space. At the same time, in any home there is a small free space that can be used to equip a built-in wardrobe or a spacious shelving unit.
This time we will focus on the rational use of the empty space under the stairs. What cabinet options can be placed under the stairs, and is it realistic to install built-in furniture yourself? Let's try to figure it out.
Rational use of space under the stairs
Owners of small private houses sometimes face the problem of staircase placement, looking for the most convenient and compact installation options. After all, marching stairs are often located in the hallway, where, in addition to the entrance door, there are two or three more doors from other rooms of the house.
To make up for the missing storage space, some craftsmen try to somehow use and use the empty space under the stairs.
If space allows, then you can build a room under the stairs. This can be a place to relax (a corner sofa), a children's corner, a study or a kitchenette.
There are a lot of ideas for arranging the understairs space. It all depends on the imagination, the wishes of the owners of the house and the size of the premises. If desired, you can organize under the stairs: a wine cellar, a flower greenhouse, place a fireplace, an aquarium, a chest of drawers, an artificial reservoir, equip a minibar or install a piano.
Among all the options for the rational use of the space under the stairs, the most common and practical is the arrangement of the closet in the house under the stairs. The improvised wardrobe turns out to be quite roomy, because its depth will be equal to the width of the flight of stairs. Here you can organize a dressing room, make a storage room for off-season things, arrange an open hallway or closet for storing small folding furniture, sledges, skis, children's bicycles or blanks for the winter.
It should be noted that the interior of the house with the advent of the built-in wardrobe under the flight staircase becomes supplemented and more harmonious. In order for the cabinet to be useful and correspond to the general appearance of the room, it is necessary to choose the optimal type of built-in structure - this will allow you to effectively exploit free square meters.
Understairs Built-in Wardrobes Options
Sliding wardrobe - maximum space saving
The sliding wardrobe under the stairs will look harmonious against the background of any interior. A variety of external furniture finishes (mirrored doors, photo printing or original, exquisite painting on the wardrobe) allows you to design and practically equip an entrance hall, nursery, living room or bedroom.
The built-in wardrobe is especially recommended for use in small rooms - they will save space required to open swing doors. In addition, such a cabinet is very spacious and uses the entire space under the stairs (mezzanine shelves can be installed).
Usually, the sliding wardrobe under the stairs is combined with other types of cabinets, since the movement of sliding doors along the slats can be limited by the slope of the stairs.
Wardrobe with hinged doors - the optimal solution for the hallway
If the staircase is located near the entrance doors, then an interesting option for using the space under it will be the arrangement of the hallway. It is better to make a wardrobe with hinged doors, and the structure itself can have scattered elements or act as a solid composition.
It is not necessary to occupy all the space under the stairs under the wardrobe for the hallway. It is better for them to take a small part (on the bottom of the stairs) so that not only adults, but also children can reach the shelves.
Wardrobe sections should be equipped with hangers, hooks, and a shelf for storing hats and scarves. A comfortable soft ottoman, stands for slippers, umbrellas and a housekeeper will look appropriate near the wardrobe. It is imperative to provide a spacious section with shelves for seasonal and off-season shoes.
The rest under the stairs can be used as a storage room (you can do without installing shelves) for a vacuum cleaner, mops, buckets, children's outdoor toys and various household equipment.
Open shelving - practical decoration for the back of the steps
Arrangement of open shelving is an original design solution that can "beat" the space under the stairs, hide the back side of the steps and add functionally useful space.
In addition, this type of cabinet under the stairs with your own hands is much easier to make than other options for built-in furniture. It is enough to mount a set of homemade shelves to get an interesting, practical and decorative element of the interior.
Open shelving is perfect for small houses. Of course, storing clothes and shoes on such shelves will be inconvenient, but souvenirs and favorite photographs will add coziness, warmth and originality to the atmosphere at home.
You can equip your home library under the stairs. Shelves, racks in an open cabinet should duplicate the step of steps and go parallel with them. An unusual effect can be achieved by making steps and shelves in the same color scheme. However, if you want to focus on the built-in furniture, the cabinet shelves can be painted in a color contrasting with the steps.
Next to such a staircase, you can put a cozy reading chair or a guest sofa. If space allows, equip a work area with a table and a computer.
An open rack with small shelves can be used to store wines. This approach will especially appeal to gourmets and connoisseurs of the "drink of the Gods".
Pull-out wardrobe and its varieties
The drawer design is suitable for storing documents, tools and other not too bulky items. This applies to drawers of the horizontal (chest of drawers) type.
Due to roller guiding mechanisms, the use of boxes is very convenient and comfortable. Drawers like these do not make the interior of the room heavy.
To arrange the space under non-dimensional staircases, sliding cabinets (two or three along the length of the stairs) of the vertical type can be made, that is, they are not divided into separate boxes.
Such a cabinet "leaves" on special wheels that do not scratch the floor surface and are practically noiseless. If necessary, the drawer can be moved to another place. Such a cabinet is convenient to use if there is an exit to the closet or other utility room under the stairs, which is rarely used.
Items in vertical-type drawers are usually placed on hangers or in boxes - this is necessary so that the contents of the cabinet do not fall out when it is moved.
The versatility of the combination cupboards under the stairs
You can make a cabinet under the stairs of a combined type - this is the most convenient and functional option. Clothes, shoes, tools can be placed in the closed part of the cabinet, and decorative figurines, fresh flowers and photographs can be displayed on open shelves.
In addition to practicality, the combined wardrobe also performs a decorative function. The combination of various textures and structural elements makes the wardrobe a universal element of decor in any room. In the decoration of the closed part of the cabinet, you can use stained glass windows, mirrors, colored films. Open cabinet racks add lightness to the structure and visually expand the space.
Tips for arranging and completing a cabinet under the stairs
When starting to solve the main question "How to make a wardrobe under the stairs?"
DIY installation of a built-in cabinet under the stairs
Preparatory stage (plan-diagram of the future cabinet, necessary tools, interior decoration)
The first step is to decide on the type of cabinet, prepare a schematic diagram of the planned built-in cabinet, calculate all dimensions (depth, width of the cabinet, the number and dimensions of internal shelves, partitions and doors). All possible dimensions must be indicated on the drawing.
The set and "filling" of the cabinet will be determined by the size of the space under the stairs, the need to store certain things (clothes, books, tools, etc.), and, of course, by the designer's imagination.
After developing a detailed diagram, you need to prepare all the necessary materials and tools:
- material for interior decoration (chipboard, paint);
- fronts of boxes or doors;
- grinder, drill, hacksaw, screwdriver;
- roulette;
- bars with a cross section of 5 * 5 cm;
- self-tapping screws;
- accessories (awnings, handles, hooks).
Before you build in the wardrobe, you need to prepare the space under the stairs:
- The space under the stairs must be freed of unnecessary items. It may be necessary to dismantle partitions.
- Decorate the wall under the stairs. To do this, you can use: drywall, lining, wallpaper or painting.
After the preliminary work has been completed, you can proceed directly to the installation of the cabinet.
Installation sequence of the built-in cabinet
Installation of the under-ladder cabinet is carried out in the following sequence:
When installing it yourself, it is better to use swing doors - they are the easiest to install. It is better to entrust the installation of sliding systems to professionals.
The final stage of installation (external finishing)
After finishing the installation work, you can experiment with the decorative finish of the built-in wardrobe. From the inside, the walls of the shelves and the cabinet can be painted in one color or pasted over with a self-adhesive film imitating natural wood.
The color scheme must be selected in accordance with the interior of the room. Traditional white is a classic option, but if there are children in the house, then it is better to choose a less branded color for the cabinet.
Pull-out stairs can be decorated with handles to complement the style of the surrounding furniture. It would be nice to supplement the place near the cabinet with suitable accessories: a hanging mirror, flowerpots with flowers, a comfortable ottoman or a small armchair.
The empty space under the stairs can be quickly and inexpensively turned into a neat, comfortable and spacious wardrobe in which you can place a variety of things. You can create such a cabinet with your own hands, but at difficult stages of installation, you should not refuse the help of professionals.
When designing or even already building a two-story or two-level house, it is recommended to immediately think over the questions of how to arrange the space under the stairs. The lead time will be especially important in cases where the useful use of this area will require the summing up of various engineering communications, the installation of which is carried out at the stage of foundation construction.
The features of the arrangement of the under-staircase space depend on several factors: on the location of the staircase itself, on its dimensions - width, height and length in the plan, on the possibility of bringing water supply and sewerage to this section, and, of course, on the planned general interior design.
There can be many interesting solutions for the useful use of such a seemingly "lost space" - it can be a built-in kitchen set, bookshelves, a sleeping or work space, various wardrobes, dressers, a pantry, an entrance hall and even a bathroom.
Types of stairs, and what kind of space is formed under them
Before determining how you can use the space under the stairs, you need to choose its design, which will depend on how much space it will take in the house, and what area is formed under it.
There are many types of stairs, and the choice of a particular one depends primarily on what area for it can be allocated in the house. It should be understood that the more compact its design is, the less space is formed under it.
- it is necessary to provide for a rational arrangement of elements of kitchen furniture for comfortable processing of food and cooking, as well as for convenient washing of dishes.
In order to determine all these nuances, it is recommended to draw up a detailed drawing indicating the location of each of the elements, and put down all dimensions to scale. Even if it is a simple drawing, of the type shown in the figure, it will still be easier to navigate with it when drawing up a detailed plan of your kitchen under the stairs.
- Bathroom.
Another rather difficult, but solvable task is the arrangement of the bathroom under the stairs.
If the staircase is located on an external wall, then there should not be any special problems with the supply of sewerage and water supply to the area under it.
In the case when there is a lot of space under the stairs, then it must be organized in such a way that a toilet bowl, a sink can be placed on it, as well as a mirror and towel racks can be fixed on the wall. Ideal if it also fits.
The increased complexity in organizing a bathroom in the under-staircase space is also due to the need to build a well-fitted door. In addition, it is very important for this room to provide and install effective ventilation, since condensation must not be allowed to accumulate on the walls, which will negatively affect the wooden elements of the stairs.
It is better to decorate the bathroom in light colors and not choose large tiles, as it will visually make the room smaller. In addition, it is recommended to mount a mirror of a sufficiently large size on the wall - it will also contribute to the visual expansion of the room. An important point in this case is the correct lighting - it is desirable to make it sufficiently intense.
- Other options for arranging the space.
When arranging a hallway, bed, wardrobes, dressers, pantry, workplace or other options under the stairs, a number of other nuances are taken into account:
- it will be necessary to carry out power supply and install a switch and a socket, organize sufficient lighting of the space;
- accessories of the necessary functionality, suitable in size, must be thought out;
- very important is the requirement that the ceiling of the room or the area under the stairs does not have cracks and gaps. The fact is that dust will inevitably collect under the steps, and when vibrating from steps, it can fall from above into the equipped space.
Video: several original solutions for the rational use of the under-ladder space
We do it ourselves - an original spacious wardrobe in the space under the stairs
One of the most popular ways to use understairs space is to install shelves or drawers. An example of how you can carry out similar work under an existing staircase, with a closed drywall space under it, will be discussed below.
Prices for wardrobes
closet
Manufacturing and installation of the cabinet frame structure
| Illustration | |
|---|---|
 | In this case, the space will be arranged under a small staircase, which means that the area under it will not be too spacious. But even such a small area can be used quite rationally. Earlier, during the construction of the stairs to the second floor, the space under it was sheathed with sheets of drywall, some of which, by the way, can be used with benefit to create the future design. |
 | The first step is to mark up previously installed sheets. On them, using a ruler, a building level and a pencil or marker, lines are drawn to define the area that will need to be removed. When making markings, it is necessary to take into account the height of the steps of the stairs, since they must remain closed with plasterboard sheathing. In addition, the location of the guides of the frame structure, on which the drywall is fixed, is also taken into account. The areas where these elements are installed can be identified by the screwed in self-tapping screws. Vertical lateral lines are drawn with an indent from the self-tapping screws by 25 ÷ 30 mm. The upper line of the future cut should pass along the lower points of the steps and be parallel to the cut line of the drywall, fixed at the upper points of the steps. |
 | The middle part of the plasterboard sheathing is cut along the drawn lines - an electric jigsaw is perfect for this operation. Here you need to take into account the fact that in places where the drywall is adjacent to the frame guides, it is cut off with a sharp construction knife, and the screws are unscrewed with a screwdriver. |
 | After the excess drywall is removed, the remaining edges are trimmed with a hacksaw around the entire perimeter of the opening. The vertical sides are cut exactly along the inner edge of the side vertical guides of the frame. In addition to removing excess material, the edges of the resulting triangle, with a truncated bottom acute corner, will be aligned. |
 | When the finishing material is removed, a space will open that needs to be equipped for installing a cabinet in it. The cut drywall is temporarily removed for now, as it will now interfere with further work. |
 | In addition to the empty space, a wooden frame structure will also open under the stairs, which must also be carefully partially dismantled. |
 | The frame bars are cut along the top line of the drywall at the same angle as the remaining drywall cladding. The work is carried out using an electric jigsaw or a reciprocating saw. |
 | The vertical racks of the battens cut off in the upper part are detached from the lower horizontal bar, which must then also be carefully removed without damaging the floor covering. |
 | Further, in the lower part of the truncated triangle, at its upper vertex, the angle is measured (in the case under consideration, it was 49 degrees). This parameter is required for the end cut of the board, which will become one of the parts of the frame of the opening. The board is taken 150 mm wide and 25 ÷ 30 mm thick. |
 | The finished board, cut from the end at the desired angle, is tried on to the place of its attachment. It must be installed exactly flush with the cut drywall. |
 | Further, in the same way, with exact fit in the corners, the entire perimeter of the cut-out space is framed. The boards are fixed between the scraps of the vertical racks remaining after dismantling. As a result, the installed ones should get a solid inner surface, on which the external boards will then be fixed, which will create a "finishing" frame of the cut out opening. |
 | This illustration well shows the resulting structure at this stage, after fixing the internal wooden lintels. Then it is necessary to fix the cut edge of the drywall to them with self-tapping screws - this will achieve the maximum strength of the edges of the opening. |
 | If necessary, another wooden lath is fixed from below to the stringer of the stairs in order to add thickness to it to the general level of the drywall line and the boards fixed immediately behind it. |
 | Further, a board is fixed to the beam, installed vertically on the high side of the triangular opening, from its rear part. It will be necessary to fix the finished shelf structure. |
 | The next step is to finish framing the cut-out opening. To do this, along its entire perimeter, to the previously fixed internal boards, boards are installed and screwed, which should completely cover the unsightly picture of the drywall cut. |
 | In order for the frame to look neat, the end parts of each of the boards are carefully adjusted to a certain, pre-measured angle. Only in this case they will fit snugly together. |
 | Before fixing these structural elements with self-tapping screws, their ends are coated with wood glue, and glued together at the corners. In this case, the vertical boards are set according to the level - if a skew is found, then between the inner and outer boards, small gaskets are made of thinner wooden wedges. |
 | The next step, at the place of future installation, forms the frame of the front part of the shelf structure. The boards intended for this are temporarily fixed to the opening framing boards already fixed to the stairs. In addition, the frame boards are fastened together at the corners. |
 | Further, on the temporary frame, the installation of the middle vertical bars is marked. The markup is carried out using a building level. These elements will be the facade for the walls of the shelf structure. |
 | Then, the bars are cut at an angle of inclination of the stairs. Their height should be equal to the distance between the top and bottom, horizontally installed board. There should be two such jumpers, and they are installed at the same distance from each other and from the side posts, that is, the length of the opening is divided by exactly three. |
 | Further, the temporarily fixed bars are removed from the opening, and from them the front frame structure for the shelves is laid out on a flat surface. Then they are finally, according to the marking, fastened together. |
 | For the convenience of gluing individual parts into a single structure, short wooden blocks are evenly laid out under the mating parts. They will also help to align the frame with one level. This is how vertical bars are exposed and fixed, and then horizontal jumpers. |
 | The cross members will determine the number of shelves or drawers. They are stacked between vertical rails so that the shelves installed in different sections of the structure are on the same level. Of course, it is important to observe the perpendicularity of the parts to be connected. |
 | The connection can be carried out in different ways - it can be wooden chops (dowels, pins), saws and the installation of special fastening parts, for example, wooden dowels, on glue. After the entire structure is assembled and glued, it is clamped in clamps until the glue is completely dry. |
 | This photo shows one of the elements, with the help of which individual bars are fastened into a common structure - a wooden dowel installed in the place of the connecting unit. |
 | While the front of the frame of the structure is drying, you can start making partitions that will be installed between the rows of shelves. They are made of plywood with a thickness of 10 ÷ 15 mm, on which a frame made of strips cut from the same plywood is fixed with glue. These elements are needed to strengthen the rigidity of the partitions. |
 | Glue is again applied to the fixed planks and another plywood sheet is glued on top of them. The entire structure is additionally secured with brackets or self-tapping screws, and is compressed in thickness with clamps. There are three such walls, in this case - they have different heights equal to the vertical bars of the front part of the structure frame, which was assembled earlier. Their width should be equal to the depth of the space under the stairs. |
 | The next step is to cut out the back wall, which will hold the partitions together. In order not to be mistaken, the finished front frame is laid on a sheet of plywood, then outlined with a pencil, and then the necessary figure is cut out with a jigsaw. |
 | Vertical partitions are held together by a common jumper - a board, which will fix them in the front part from above. All planes must be set at the building level. Then, the back side of the walls is also fastened along the top with a wooden strip. After that, the rear plywood wall is tried on and fixed to the structure. |
 | The structure turns and fits on the back, just fixed, wall, and the end sides of the front part of the dividing partitions are coated with glue. |
 | The next step is to lay the wooden frame of the front of the structure on top of the missed end sides. It is carefully leveled and then secured with self-tapping screws. |
 | Now, with the help of glue, and then with self-tapping screws, you can fix the lowest wall, that is, the side wall on the truncated side of the triangle. All glued parts of the structure are again fixed with clamps. |
 | Further, on the inner walls, the location of the roller guides for the shelves is marked. |
 | Two guides are temporarily fixed on both sides of the partition with a special retainer, which allows them to be set exactly in the desired plane and screwed perfectly evenly on the surface and in relation to each other. |
 | In the next step, the guides are fixed on the walls with self-tapping screws 15 ÷ 17 mm long. |
 | After the roller guides are fixed, a wide board is dismantled from the upper part of the structure, which provided temporary fixation of the frame, as it was unnecessary. Instead, a prepared-sized plywood sheet with a thickness of 8 ÷ 10 mm is placed on the upper end sides of the partitions. |
 | Plywood is fixed on the end sides of the partitions and side walls with staples or self-tapping screws. |
 | In this photo, you can see the assembled structure in full, and evaluate its quality. |
 | Then the finished frame is gently pushed into place - in the opening under the stairs. |
 | Before finally fixing it, it is necessary to check the verticality of the installation again. It's not too late to make small adjustments by placing thin wooden wedges in the right places. |
 | After the structure is installed perfectly evenly and fixed, the gaps around its perimeter can be closed with a neat narrow glazing bead, and a decorative plinth can be fixed in the lower part. |
Drawer manufacturing
Now you should consider several important points for the manufacture of drawers.
In this version, the master chose plywood 20 mm thick, but high-quality 10 mm material is also quite suitable for this purpose. Chipboards with a standard thickness of 16 or 18 mm are quite suitable for these purposes.
The main nuances in this process are the preparation of parts and their fastening, which will be discussed below.
The first step from the opening in which the box will be installed, the dimensions are removed - width, height and depth - according to which it will be made. In addition, you need to accurately determine the place of fixing the guides along which the shelf will walk.
| Illustration | Brief description of the performed operation |
|---|---|
 | According to the dimensions obtained, all the elements of the box are marked and drawn on the prepared plywood sheet. It is very important to ensure that all corners are straight. In the next step, all the details of the box are cut out, and their edges are processed to smoothness. |
 | To ensure that the assembly of parts is even and strong, first the side walls are installed on the edges of the back, and their attachment point is drawn. The same is done with the front wall. |
 | The next step in the marked places is drilled through holes with a diameter of 8 mm for furniture confirmations (euro screws), through which the back and front walls will be screwed to the side ones. There should be two such holes on each side. |
 | The centers of the holes at the end of the side wall are marked along the drilled holes, with a diameter of 5 mm and a depth of about 50 mm. The walls are assembled, confirmations are inserted into the holes, and then they are screwed using a screwdriver with a hexagon bit. |
 | The other junction boxes of the drawer are assembled in the same way. Confirmates will provide good structural rigidity. True, if plywood with a thickness of 10 millimeters or less is used for the manufacture of a box, then confirmations will not work, and you will have to use ordinary screws with a diameter of 3.5 ÷ 4 mm. |
 | To find out whether the box is evenly assembled, it is necessary to measure and compare its diagonals - they must be of the same length. |
 | Next, a hole is drilled in the front of the box through which the handle should be fixed to the panel. I must say that very often an additional panel made of thinner plywood is attached to the front wall, but somewhat larger than the main wall. It is first glued, and then fixed with self-tapping screws from the inside of the box. The size of the self-tapping screw must be selected so that it is 5 mm shorter than the total thickness of the front wall together with the front panel. |
 | After fixing the handle, the bottom part is fixed to the box - usually this is done using self-tapping screws. The bottom panel will finally fix the box in the required rectangular configuration. After that, the finished box can be subjected to the necessary finishing treatment - cleaning with fine-grain sandpaper, polishing, painting, varnishing, pasting with laminating film, etc. Sometimes this operation is left for the very completion of work. |
 | The next step on the side walls of the box is marking, along the roller guides that were previously installed in the cabinet structure. A careful fitting is made, and if it goes well, the guides can be fixed with self-tapping screws, the length of which should also not exceed 15 mm. All boxes are assembled in the same way, and, as we have seen, their front panel can have a more complex shape, and the height of the side walls can vary. But this does not significantly affect the technology of their manufacture and assembly. After that, it will already be possible to carry out the general assembly of the cabinet and its final finishing with all the components to the ideal. As a result, a beautiful and very functional piece of furniture appeared in the space under the stairs. |
For the space under the stairs, cabinets and other, simpler, or vice versa, complex structures can be made, which, for example, slide out of niches on wheels, and the division into separate sections and shelves is already made inside. The advantage of this option is that the cabinets can always be fully pulled out of the under-ladder niche in order to perform general cleaning inside it.
Even if there is enough space in the house for all the premises necessary for comfortable living, the space under the stairs will never be superfluous, and it must be used to the maximum rationally. The farm will always find a lot of useful things that their owners do not use every day, but they must have an established storage place. An equipped under-ladder niche is also perfect for this.
Therefore, when planning the construction of a two-story house and the wiring of communications along it, it is advisable to determine in advance whether and how the area under the stairs will be used. Well, with the final finishing, all this can be decorated in the same style as the room in which the staircase structure will be located. And then a competently equipped and beautifully designed useful space will organically, without burdening the interior, fit into the overall design, and sometimes even become an eye-catching "highlight" of the room.
A built-in wardrobe under the stairs can be a very convenient place to store a variety of things. Considering that its width is usually about 1 m, the space under the steps can be quite extensive and will allow you to place there a large number of items needed in the household.
A wardrobe built-in under the aisle can have a different purpose and be decorated in accordance with it: an open rack or pull-out shelves, a compartment or swing doors will help save space in the home and add new notes to the interior design.
How to choose the right cabinet design
This type of furniture is not standard, and every home craftsman will assemble a wardrobe under the stairs with his own hands.
Therefore, there can be as many design options as you like: for decorative purposes, for storage or other household needs. Depending on this, it is worth determining whether the space under the stairs will be closed or serve as a rack for souvenirs, books or a TV. Rice. 1.
Figure 1. Options for the cabinet under the stairs.
In a small hallway or a room in the country, it will be most profitable to place a wardrobe under the stairs. The panels sliding to the side, serving as doors, will not block the passage while searching for the necessary things.
In the case of choosing an open rack, shelves for books, a mirror or landline telephone in the hallway, a TV or other electronics in a small living room can be mounted here.
If the size of the premises in a country house allows, then the cabinet can also be closed with hinged doors. An interesting option and drawers of vertical or horizontal type. In such conditions, you can store small household items, clothes and shoes, documents, toys.
Panels that function as doors of any type can be selected to match other furnishings in the room, giving the understairs cupboard the look of a regular piece of furniture. Making them in accordance with the decor of the staircase, the owners of the apartment will have the opportunity to emphasize it as an independent element.
When focusing attention, one should not single out the staircase too much from the general style of the furnishings. It is best to maintain harmony between the details of decoration and furniture, unobtrusively inscribing both the span with the railings and the wardrobe under it into the overall style of the interior.
Mounting technology for built-in wardrobes
Before making a wardrobe under the stairs, you need to measure the space under it and determine how many compartments a built-in wardrobe will have, the height of each of them, the type of drawers and shelves.
It is better to depict all the data on paper in the form of a diagram with marked marks for the installation of partitions and doors.
Figure 2. Layout of cabinets under the stairs.
To arrange shelves under the stairs you will need:
- wooden block 5x5 cm;
- Fiberboard, plywood, drywall or other sheet materials;
- furniture facade, laminated with chipboard, etc. for doors or panels;
- fittings for the installation of drawers, hinges, mechanisms for sliding doors;
- power saw or hacksaw;
- drill, screwdriver;
- plumb line and level, measuring tool.
The frame for the shelves and partitions will be made of a 5x5 cm bar. Focusing on the height of the side walls of each compartment, cut the material into paired parts of the required length for mounting vertical supports. Rice. 2. Fastening the bars closest to the wall on dowels in brickwork or concrete, and for a wooden surface, nails or self-tapping screws of sufficient length are suitable. Install internal partitions by attaching the bar to the bottom of the steps at the top and to the floor below.
Figure 3. Assembling the cabinet.
On the installed vertical supports, fasten horizontally located pieces of the bar. Their length is equal to the depth of the shelves or cabinet compartments. Some of them are usually made the basis for attaching shelves or drawer fittings, so the distance between the bars must be chosen depending on the height of each tier.
Sheathed the prepared frame from the inside with the selected sheet material (plywood, drywall, etc.), forming partitions. If you planned to build an open rack, then at this stage you can already proceed to finishing the inner surfaces of the cabinet and installing shelves.
If the built-in cabinet is to have doors or drawers, work will continue. The sliding wardrobe under the stairs will require complex operations to install a mechanism for doors of different heights. For the high-quality performance of such work, the best solution would be to invite a professional specialist.
How to make swing doors or drawers
A home master can also handle this work. On the front vertical supports of the frame and the bottom of the stairs, fix the bars for the door frame. Under the inclined part of the span, the box will have a complex shape, so you need to carefully measure the angles at which its vertical and inclined elements will join. Having achieved an exact match of the parts, you need to fasten them together with screws and mount the box under the span, screwing it to the frame with self-tapping screws.
When hanging doors, it is important to install the hinges so that the sash does not warp when closed. It is difficult to check the horizontality of the hinge on an inclined section, so you will have to focus on the visual coincidence of the upper edge and the door frame.
Make horizontal boxes in such a way that a gap of 5 mm remains between their sides and the frame. This is necessary for the installation of fittings and free movement inside the cabinet.
After all the boxes are made and tried on, the movement mechanism is mounted, you can proceed to attaching decorative facades to them. It must be remembered that the height of the outer panel should be chosen so as not to interfere with neighboring drawers, but also not to leave too much gap.
Fastening the facade must be done through the front wall of the drawer, screwing the screws into the pre-drilled holes. The length of the fastener should be 2-3 mm less than the combined thickness of the material of the front wall and facade, so that the point of the self-tapping screw does not come out from the front side.
Vertical-type boxes are mounted according to the same principle. Rice. 3. Unlike horizontal ones, they do not need a roller mechanism, since the movement takes place thanks to the wheels fixed at the bottom of the box. Therefore, when calculating and assembling the inside of the boxes, you need to be guided only by the ease of movement of these elements relative to each other.
The outer panel should be slightly wider than the front of the drawer to close the gap between adjacent elements, but not interfere with movement.
Usually the width of the allowance is calculated as ½ the width of the desired gap between the boxes, minus 1 mm. When 2 panels are adjacent, in this case, a visually inconspicuous gap of 2 mm will turn out, and the facades of the boxes will not touch each other.
Install handles on facades, mirrors on wardrobes and other decor last.
These elements can repeat the style of the fittings on the rest of the furniture in the room, thereby uniting with it.