To open a staircase?
Hi all, looking for an advice of how to brighten up a space.
I am thinking of making an offer for the house, it's a 1900s 2 bedroom terraced house.
Otherwise, it's perfect for me but the problem is that it's quite dark.
Back of the house (2nd reception room and kitchen) are facing North East and so they are quite dark, especially 2nd reception room.
1st reception room is bright, though, facing South West and to the open parkland.
I was wondering how complicated/expensive is to "open a staircase" to share a little bit of the light from the front of the house.
This is a 2nd reception room, highlighted is an entrance to the staircase. The staircase is very steep, as well! Under stairs there is currently a storage cupboard.
Insipration is this:
For a context, I am a single mother with a small child (1.5 y.o.), I always want her to stay in my sight when I am cooking/working etc. So the open space works for us but I would consider any at all other ideas to brighten the 2nd reception room, I can't think of anything else more feasible besides this radical solution.
Is it possible to ditch the under stairs cupboard and add something like a window in the staircase without ruining it completely? Never seen anything like this, though.
Please help! :)
Comments (11)
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Comments (4)I have same in my house. I got carpenter to build it up with flip lid. Storage is slopped inside the box but I store items I use seldom (eg. Ski clothes etc!). Then over head I hung a shelving open unit ( same width, but depth smaller). I use shelf for books etc and still have the top of built up box for other bits....See MoreHelp, trying to decide whether to enclose a staircase
Comments (3)thanks both & sorry for not getting back sooner. Appreciate it! unfortunately, while lovely, glass panels are going to be too expensive as is upgrading the doors/walls upstairs (realistically we would have to take down all the upstairs walls and start again to make any difference). But thanks. Obviously if we do enclose it will use a glazed door at the base (the rules about the size of landing you need don't seem to be too strict here in Ireland - must have 40 cm from the base step completely free) so we are thinking door at the base of the stairs opening towards the front door. My sister in law however suggests using the entire width between the front door and the stairs as storage, fairly similar to now, but with a door opening out into the kitchen. still thinking. thanks again for your input anyway....See MoreOpen Plan Kitchen & Living Area Advice Please...
Comments (4)A few things I would change from experience...instead of a single and double door I would spend the extra money and put in a bifold corner section...would open up the space so much more. as for the kitchen...completely flip your design...put your breakfast bar closer to the window...make it large and multipurpose with the hob in it and then put your main band of cabinets either left, right or behind? We have recently restructured our existing cabinets to this layout and put in new countertops and it works far better than before!...See MoreWall colour change in open hallway
Comments (3)Love your room, we have Farrow & Ball Mizzle, its a light greyish green with Little Green Clay Mid which is really a soft white with a tiny hint of grey on skirtings and doors. That would leave you free to go for a stronger colour on the back alcove walls without 'darking' the room much. The upper sample green on your wall should match well with these colours. Colour would be easily brought (and changed) in with rug, cushions etc, HTHs...See More
PRO3 months agoI will suggest just changing the type of stairs into cantilever with glass or metal wire and open up the kitchen wall so it open plan
Alex thanked Devyra Atelier- 3 months ago
- 3 months ago
- PRO3 months ago
- 3 months ago
- PRO3 months ago
no problem these type of stair is beautiful and has many variation, as you dont have large wall area for the stair foundation (as my first pic the stair cantilevered to the side wall) I think local contractor will suggest you floating stairs with load bearing steel. do keep the LED though the maintenance is cheap, useful at night and looks lit.
Alex thanked Devyra Atelier 
3 months agoCould you do something like this but obviously open both sides? You could potentially keep the cupboard
I did look at the house (sorry!) and it seems like there is a wooden structure in front of the window plus a lot of greenery which will be reducing light. Look at Little Greene paint as they show the Light Reflectance Value. pale paving like limestone could help plus a mirror on the tv wall
Alex thanked minnie101- 3 months ago
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