What is often dead space under a staircase can be enclosed and used for storage.
Every bit helps when it comes to storage space. Short of buying a bigger house, your best bet for increasing your storage is creating more closets. Underneath a staircase is an area that's often overlooked. Granted, the configuration of this area makes it somewhat unconventional. But this area is usable space that's often wasted. An under-staircase closet can be fashioned by putting together a stud wall at the front of the space and adding a door for access. Then all you need is a rod inside the space, along with shelves, if you have the room. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Run a tape measure across the floor, from one end of the opening underneath the staircase to the point where it meets the stairs. This is the length of the stud wall needed for your closet. The wall requires 2-by-4-inch boards, called studs, sandwiched between additional 2-by-4 boards, called plates.
2. Measure the same expanse, only along the ceiling instead. This measurement likely runs completely at an angle. Disregard the angle, and find the distance from the wall to the point where the stairs meets the floor. If, by chance, part of the top area is straight, such as under a landing in the stairs above, measure that area separately from the angled area. Cut a top plate to correspond to the length of this top area -- two separate plates if one area is parallel to the floor instead of angled.
3. Lay the floor plate on the floor, just in front of the opening. Hold the top plate in place, along the bottom edge of the stairs, as if you are about to attach it. Allow the bottom end of the top plate to run behind the bottom plate where they intersect. You might need a helper to do this.
4. Rest a pencil flat on the bottom plate. Pull the pencil across the board to draw a line sideways on the top plate behind it. This creates a line showing the exact angle of cut required to allow the plates to join in the corner closest to the spot where the stairs meet the floor. Joining the boards this way provides solid wood framing for the wall covering installed in the corner later.
5. Lay both the top and the bottom plates side by side with their ends flush. Measure over 12 inches, and use a straightedge to mark across both boards at the same time. Continue across, marking every 12 inches. These lines will guide the placement of the studs.
6. Measure and mark the top edge of the opening, underneath the stairs, every 12 inches. Leave a 32- or 34-inch opening between two of the marks to allow for a door, and then continue with additional marks until you're finished. You will not secure studs inside the door area.
7. Headers frame window openings, with doubled studs on both sides, just like doors.
Find the distance, from floor to ceiling, at each 12-inch mark. Subtract 3 inches to compensate for the top and bottom plates -- each 1 1/2-inches-thick. Cut one stud for each measurement -- because they will be under the stairs, they will gradually become smaller.
8. Construct the stud wall to fit under the stairs. Lay both plates on edge, with the wide side of the boards facing you. Align a stud, also on the thin edge, with each mark, spanning the distance between the plates. Ensure that each stud is positioned properly, according to size.
9. Nail through one plate into the end of the stud involved with two nails. Attach the opposite plate similarly. Continue until all of the studs are attached to the plates. When complete, you have a stud wall with one horizontal plate and one rising at an angle in response to the height and shape of the stairs
10. Measure up the wall to the height required for the door -- typically 82 inches. Cut a board the width of the door opening. Nail in place between the studs on either side of the opening at this height.
11. Cut two additional studs to span from the floor to the header. Nail into place beside the door opening to secure. These boards will help to reinforce the door opening and support the door header and door weight.
12. Erect the completed wall, tapping on it as necessary to encourage it to fit under the staircase. Nail through the top plate into the wood framing of the stairs above every 6 to 8 inches. Repeat with the bottom plate, securing to the floor. Drive additional nails through the side of the stud wall into the existing wall on the other side.
13. Hang the door according to the manufacturer's instructions. Align the hinges along the door framing, and anchor with screws.
14. Measure and cut the wall covering you prefer to span across the new stud wall. Attach with nails or screws as appropriate. Paint or finish as desired.
15. Cut trim to size, with an angle on the ends where the two plates join. Install around the door opening, as well as along the wall edges. Use finishing nails to secure.
16. Finish the inside of the closet according to your tastes. Install shelves, hang clothing rods or whatever else you choose. Hang a battery-operated light to complete.
Tags: stud wall, bottom plate, door opening, every inches, this area, boards called, bottom plates