That awkward triangle under the stairs is usually where shoes, the hoover and a broken umbrella go to be forgotten. With a bit of planning it can become the hardest-working storage in a small home, and these under stairs storage ideas will help you get there without knocking anything down.
Most of us don’t have the budget for bespoke pull-out drawers, and plenty of renters can’t drill into the stairs anyway. So this guide sticks to things you can actually do: measuring properly, zoning the space, choosing baskets and boxes that fit the sloped ceiling, and a few ways to turn the space into something nicer than a cupboard.
Start by measuring the space properly
Before you buy a single basket, get a tape measure out. Under stairs spaces are rarely a simple box. You’ll have a tall end, a short end and a sloped ceiling in between, plus a door that might not open all the way.
Note down three things: the depth from the front to the back wall, the height at the tallest point, and the height at roughly every 30cm (12in) as the ceiling drops. Sketch it on the back of an envelope. It feels fussy, but it stops you buying a lovely storage box that won’t slide under the lowest step. Nearly all the under stairs storage ideas below depend on knowing these numbers.
It’s also worth checking for anything that needs access. Gas meters, electricity meters and stopcocks often live under the stairs, and you’ll want to reach them in a hurry without unpacking half the hallway.
Zone it: tall, middle and low
The easiest way to make sense of storage under stairs is to split it into three zones based on height.
The tall end
This is where long, upright things belong: the vacuum cleaner, an ironing board, a mop and bucket, coats on hooks. If you can, keep this end clear at floor level so the heaviest items roll straight in and out.
The middle
Here’s your everyday zone. Shelves or a row of baskets at waist height work brilliantly for things you grab daily, like dog leads, reusable shopping bags and gloves.
The low end
The shallow space at the back is perfect for things you rarely need: Christmas decorations, spare bedding, the camping stove. Lidded boxes earn their keep here because they keep dust off and stack neatly.
| Zone | Best for | What to use |
|---|---|---|
| Tall end | Hoover, ironing board, coats | Hooks, clear floor space |
| Middle | Everyday bits, shoes, bags | Open baskets, slim shelves |
| Low end | Seasonal and spare items | Lidded boxes, flat baskets |
Under stairs storage ideas for an open space
If your stairs are open at the side rather than closed in with a cupboard, the space is on show. That’s a good thing, because it means your storage can double as decoration.
A low bench or console with baskets lined up underneath makes an instant drop zone for shoes and bags. Matching baskets look calmer than a jumble of mismatched tubs, so pick one material and stick with it. Natural seagrass and jute feel warm in a hallway, while grey fabric bins look smart against painted walls.
We like the StorageWorks narrow storage baskets for open shelving here. They’re long and slim with a metal frame and two wide handles, so you can pull them out easily without the whole thing collapsing. For something more rustic, the WENKO Juna jute storage basket has two handles and sits happily on the floor or a shelf.
Hallway storage baskets that actually get used
Baskets are the backbone of most understairs storage ideas, but only if you give each one a job. A basket marked “misc” will be full of rubbish within a fortnight.
Try this instead: one basket per person for shoes, one for hats and gloves, one for the dog, one for bags for life. Labels help, especially with kids. A simple tag tied to the handle works and doesn’t spoil the look.
Size matters too. Deep baskets swallow small items, so keep those for bulky things like scarves or sports kit. Smaller, rectangular baskets are better for little bits because you can see everything at a glance. The R RUNKA cotton rope basket set comes as three small rectangular baskets in soft cotton rope, which is handy if you’ve got children or pets helping themselves.
If you want more ideas for the rest of the space, our guide to hallway decorating ideas covers lighting, colour and how to make a narrow hall feel bigger.
Lidded boxes for the low, sloped end
The back corner under the lowest steps is where clutter goes to hide. Lidded boxes stop it becoming a black hole.
Flat, shallow boxes fit under the slope better than tall ones, and stacking two shallow boxes is usually more useful than one deep one because you don’t have to dig. The whitewash seagrass baskets with lids come as a large and small pair that stack, with a metal frame inside to hold their shape. For even lower spaces, the flat seagrass storage basket with lid is shallow by design.
If you’d rather something wipeable, the CURVER Stockholm deco storage box is a stackable 22-litre box with a printed finish, so it looks more like furniture than a plastic tub. It’s a good shout for anything that might get a bit grubby, like shoe polish or garden gloves.
Under stairs nook ideas beyond storage
Not every under stairs space has to be about hiding stuff. If yours is open, or you can live without the cupboard, it can become a little nook with its own purpose.
- Reading corner: a small armchair, a floor lamp and a basket of books. Cosy, and nobody will expect it.
- Mini home office: a narrow desk and a wall shelf can fit under the taller end. A clip-on lamp helps, as these spots are rarely bright.
- Pet bed: a dog bed tucked under the stairs gives them a den away from foot traffic. Keep treats and leads in a basket nearby.
- Coat and boot station: hooks on the wall, a bench and a boot tray make a proper landing spot for muddy days.
- Kids’ den: a few cushions, fairy lights and a toy basket. Just make sure anything hazardous is stored elsewhere.
The trick with under stairs nook ideas is to treat the space like a real room. Paint it a deeper colour than the hallway, add a light source, and it stops feeling like leftover space.
Keeping it tidy long term
Even the best storage under stairs slides back into chaos without a couple of habits.
First, do a quick clear-out every season. Swap summer things to the low end and winter coats to the front, then do the opposite in spring. Second, follow a simple “one in, one out” rule for shoes and bags. If a new pair arrives, an old pair goes.
Third, keep the floor as clear as you can. A clear floor makes the space feel bigger, makes cleaning easier, and means you can always get to the meter. If you’ve got a runner leading up to the stairs, our hallway runner guide explains how to pick one that copes with muddy boots.
Our picks for under stairs storage
Here’s a quick round-up of what we picked and why. These are the baskets and boxes that suit the under stairs storage ideas above best, and every one of them would look at home in a hallway.
- StorageWorks narrow storage baskets: long, slim and easy to pull out, ideal for open shelves under the stairs.
- WENKO Juna jute storage basket: a simple 100% jute basket with handles for gloves, hats or even kindling.
- R RUNKA cotton rope basket set: three soft, small baskets that suit family homes.
- Whitewash seagrass baskets with lids: a stackable large and small pair for the low end.
- ARPAN woven storage basket with lid: a black, hand-woven resin hamper with a lid and lock, good for keeping things out of little hands.
- Lavatelli Baulino decorative storage box: a foldable cardboard box with a lid and handles for seasonal bits.
You’ll find plenty more in our decorative baskets and decorative boxes collections.
Under stairs storage FAQs
What is the best way to use space under the stairs?
Split it into zones by height. Use the tall end for upright items like the hoover, the middle for everyday things in open baskets, and the low end for lidded boxes of seasonal kit. That way nothing gets buried.
How can I make under stairs storage look nice?
Stick to one or two materials so the baskets look like a set, and add a light. A strip of battery LED lights or a plug-in lamp makes a big difference in a dark cupboard. Painting the inside a warm colour helps too.
Can you put a desk under the stairs?
Yes, as long as there’s enough headroom at the tall end to sit comfortably. A narrow desk, a slim chair and a wall shelf are usually enough. Keep cables tidy and add a good desk lamp, as under stairs spaces are rarely bright.
What should you not store under the stairs?
Avoid anything flammable, like paint thinners or spare fuel, especially if your meters are there. It’s also wise not to block access to the stopcock or fuse box. Damp-sensitive items like photos and papers are better in a sealed box than an open basket.
Is under stairs storage worth it in a rented home?
Definitely. Freestanding baskets, boxes and a small bench don’t need any drilling, so you can take them with you when you move. Over-door hooks are another renter-friendly option.
Good under stairs storage ideas take pressure off the whole hallway, and none of them need a big budget. Measure first, give every basket a job, and keep the floor clear. For more ideas on getting your entrance in order, have a browse around our hallway section.
