10 Smart Ways to Add Some Shelves to Your Stairwell
So you've run out of places to store or display all your bits and bobs. How about adding shelving to your staircase?
If you’re looking for extra storage or display space, your stairs might provide the answer. Take a look at the walls around your staircase to see if you can install some shelving. If your stairs don’t have walls, perhaps there’s a way to add a vertical surface of storage. Still not sure if your stairs are up for the job? Check out these cleverly designed staircases for a little inspiration.
Tuck it in a small space
Here, the space is slightly limited by the window, but that hasn’t stopped the owners from adding some nifty storage. They’ve installed a neat unit of box shelving that stops at the bottom of the window. As the unit is located at the foot of the staircase, the multi-sized recesses are ideal for jacket and shoe storage.
Here, the space is slightly limited by the window, but that hasn’t stopped the owners from adding some nifty storage. They’ve installed a neat unit of box shelving that stops at the bottom of the window. As the unit is located at the foot of the staircase, the multi-sized recesses are ideal for jacket and shoe storage.
Don’t be limited by size
The owners of this cosy staircase have made use of every inch by installing a bookcase where the stairs turn. There’s still enough space to walk up and down, plus plenty of room for a library of books.
In a small cottage like this, it’s a good idea to maximise every corner in order to find a place for everything and keep the property neat and tidy. At first glance the wall here might have appeared too small for storage, but with a little lateral thinking the owners have created room for all of their reading matter.
The owners of this cosy staircase have made use of every inch by installing a bookcase where the stairs turn. There’s still enough space to walk up and down, plus plenty of room for a library of books.
In a small cottage like this, it’s a good idea to maximise every corner in order to find a place for everything and keep the property neat and tidy. At first glance the wall here might have appeared too small for storage, but with a little lateral thinking the owners have created room for all of their reading matter.
Go low for a spacious feel
Even a small amount of shelving can help your storage needs, so don’t dismiss a low-level unit like this one. The joiners have built into a stud wall to create some neat and recessed box shelves. By only using the bottom half of the wall, they’ve kept the top half clean and spacious, which works particularly well with the glass balustrade on the landing.
Even a small amount of shelving can help your storage needs, so don’t dismiss a low-level unit like this one. The joiners have built into a stud wall to create some neat and recessed box shelves. By only using the bottom half of the wall, they’ve kept the top half clean and spacious, which works particularly well with the glass balustrade on the landing.
Lighten up
Recessed shelves are a great space saver, so if you have the opportunity to add them it’s worth going for it. These ones form a design feature both above and below the open staircase. For added drama, the designers have added LED strip lighting to the top of the shelves.
Check out these staircases that make an impact in contemporary spaces
Recessed shelves are a great space saver, so if you have the opportunity to add them it’s worth going for it. These ones form a design feature both above and below the open staircase. For added drama, the designers have added LED strip lighting to the top of the shelves.
Check out these staircases that make an impact in contemporary spaces
Keep it light and open
Fancy a shelving unit, but don’t want to block the light? Here, the owners have given themselves the best of both worlds – plenty of light flowing through the room, and a handy shelving unit next to the staircase. The tall, open shelves look striking and elegant, and are an ideal place to show off ornaments and plants.
Fancy a shelving unit, but don’t want to block the light? Here, the owners have given themselves the best of both worlds – plenty of light flowing through the room, and a handy shelving unit next to the staircase. The tall, open shelves look striking and elegant, and are an ideal place to show off ornaments and plants.
Max out on storage
On this staircase, the designers have upped the storage game with a combined cupboard and shelving system. The useful cupboard with a sliding door is encased on all sides, giving the designers the opportunity to incorporate shelves next to the stairs.
Discover sliding pocket door ideas you’re going to love
On this staircase, the designers have upped the storage game with a combined cupboard and shelving system. The useful cupboard with a sliding door is encased on all sides, giving the designers the opportunity to incorporate shelves next to the stairs.
Discover sliding pocket door ideas you’re going to love
Install some standard shelves…
If you’re lucky enough to have a wide staircase like this one, you could install some standard shelves. Here, the width of the stairs gives the owners enough room to navigate around the shelves without encountering a sharp edge.
In a home that doesn’t have this luxury, you could go for narrow shelves and use them to store small ornaments, or line up your books with their covers showing.
If you’re lucky enough to have a wide staircase like this one, you could install some standard shelves. Here, the width of the stairs gives the owners enough room to navigate around the shelves without encountering a sharp edge.
In a home that doesn’t have this luxury, you could go for narrow shelves and use them to store small ornaments, or line up your books with their covers showing.
…or opt for shallow ledges
This stunning charcoal wall illustrates how narrow shelves can work along a staircase. The rows of ledges are the ideal spot for displaying beautiful book covers. The owners have picked books with brightly coloured artwork to create a striking contrast with the dark shelves and wall.
This stunning charcoal wall illustrates how narrow shelves can work along a staircase. The rows of ledges are the ideal spot for displaying beautiful book covers. The owners have picked books with brightly coloured artwork to create a striking contrast with the dark shelves and wall.
Go solo
Of course you don’t have to cram in lots of shelves when just one might do the trick. The wooden ledge at the top of this concrete stairwell is a handy spot for ornaments, but doesn’t impinge on the minimal design of the steps and balustrade.
Have you put up some creative shelving in your home? Share your photos/ideas in the Comments section.
Of course you don’t have to cram in lots of shelves when just one might do the trick. The wooden ledge at the top of this concrete stairwell is a handy spot for ornaments, but doesn’t impinge on the minimal design of the steps and balustrade.
Have you put up some creative shelving in your home? Share your photos/ideas in the Comments section.
Make the most of stairs that run into the middle of a room by adding a false wall to one side. The wooden one here replicates the stairs to form a stunning feature, and the wide shelves are handy for storing books and ornaments. The designers have retained the feeling of space by keeping the other side quite clear and painting the side panel a bright white.