Features of placement under the stairs
There are several main nuances:
- Walking staircase designs can be straight, U-shaped or rotating L-shaped, which makes them the simplest and most convenient to combine with various types of cabinets.
- In the design of spiral staircases, more compact models are often used, in the form of a wardrobe, chest of drawers or shelves for storing things.
- For a monolithic and large staircase, it is better to choose less bulky cabinets made in light shades.
It is desirable that the material, design and color scheme of the storage system coincide with the design of the interfloor staircase.
Advantages and disadvantages
A built-in wardrobe is more than just a design element - it is an ergonomic and functional design that can provide great benefits in everyday life. The empty space under the stairs in the country can be rationally used by compactly installing furniture that has a specific purpose.
Using the built-in wardrobe you can equip:
- changing room under the stairs;
- storage shelf;
- library;
- workplace;
- corridor, etc.
Built-in structures are much more practical than stationary cabinets. They significantly save useful space, since they do not have a floor, roof or walls. In addition, numerous photos of cabinets under the stairs in a private house, which can be found on the Internet, clearly show how varied the design of an empty area can be.
Homeowners are offered a large selection: swings, compartments, racks, cabinets, etc.
Built-in products will perfectly complement even the most unusual interior. Such furniture looks holistic in combination with a staircase, which can be a spiral or marching one. Over time, the number of things in the house increases, therefore, when buying a custom-made wardrobe for the stairs, it is advisable to take care of the presence of a sufficient number of shelves.
Flaws:
- Lack of finished products on the market. For this reason, as already mentioned, the internal item must be ordered or made by hand. In the first case, a wardrobe can be expensive, in the second, you will have to spend a lot of time and effort on manufacturing the product.
- An accurate drawing of the cabinet is required. It is necessary to determine the location of all shelves, drawers, etc.
- The load must be calculated carefully so as not to damage the stairs. Otherwise, the placement of the cabinet may lead to the collapse of the entire structure.
Style solutions
It's no secret that the design and style of the staircase space must fully comply with the overall design of your home. Flowerpots with flowers, as well as a carpet with a bright pattern, look harmonious and homely. If you get tired of this image over time, then you can change the carpeting to a new one and sparkle the interior with new colors!
Flowerpots on a flight of stairs
Next, we offer you some interesting ideas and budget solutions that you can use to make the design of a staircase in a private house a real art and bring joy and satisfaction.
We host the library
Typically, stairwells are equipped with a window. There is always room for sunlight and warmth. Well, why not place a mini-reading room near this window!
Moreover, the whole situation is just right for this!
Here you can retire to read your favorite book or magazine:
- You can place a small comfortable sofa or folding chair. Throw a couple of pillows on it - and a comfortable bed for private reading is ready;
- We fix several bookshelves on the wall with our own hands. It is better to make them a built-in modification. Now your favorite literature is just a stone's throw away!
Photo of the library arrangement under the stairs - use the space wisely!
Advice! The shelving should not be made too wide; let it be adjusted as much as possible to the dimensions of the book. The perfect solution!
Photo gallery
When you walk up the stairs, you involuntarily examine the objects around you. The gaze itself begins to look for something beautiful and sublime
So, if you don't know how to decorate a stairwell in your home, try placing bright and colorful family photos along the staircase wall. If you are interested in art or decorative arts, you can post your masterpieces here.
Photo gallery - an interesting solution
Flower heaven
As you know, plants in a house or apartment are always good:
- and the eye rejoices;
- and the air is purified.
If you place all kinds of greenery on the flight of stairs, then such a place for it will be very successful! Especially if you have a window there.
An example of decorating a staircase with flowers
Advice! You can choose a large plant, such as a palm tree, or decorate the space with small potted flowers.
Luxury and that's it
Now let's talk about decorating the staircase in the house on a fairly respectable scale.
If the flight of stairs is made of solid wood. then the interstaircase space can be decorated in the style of the most magnificent palaces from the times of the Roman patricians, although the price of such design will be high:
- stone bas-reliefs;
- luxurious floor made of expensive marble;
- the walls are decorated with magnificent patterns;
- and the pillars flicker with phosphorescent light.
Luxurious staircase - luxurious interior
Decoration with frescoes and photo wallpapers
Thinking about how to design a flight of stairs in a private house, you can create a structure that with its steps leads to a mysterious corner of the green garden. Rising upward, we seem to penetrate into a mysterious place with many flowers and greenery.
- sounds of a hidden stream;
- Birdsong;
- and the breath of a fresh breeze.
The steps themselves turn into ancient stone structures. Climbing up these stairs, it’s as if you find yourself in an ancient park.
Photo wallpaper + veranda style decor
Advice! You can choose wallpaper with any type that you want to see in the interior of your home. Thus, you will turn an ordinary structure into a staircase to another reality.
You can choose wallpaper with a photo of a window overlooking:
- sea coast;
- mountain range;
- or other natural landscape.
This solution will be the best if the space of your stairwell is dark and does not have a wide span. You can also use staircase lighting in your home. which should be directed to this image.
The design of the structure is limited only by your imagination!
We told you how you can design a flight of stairs to make your staircase unusual and creative. We hope that this article will be useful to you. And in the video presented in this article you will find additional information on this topic.
Types of built-in cabinets under the stairs
The space under the steps has a complex geometry, which makes it difficult to purchase ready-made furniture. Owners of houses and apartments with stairs act in two ways: make an individual order or make a wardrobe under the stairs with their own hands. First, a model is selected, its appearance and internal content are determined.
it is necessary to evaluate the ease of use and practicality of the future model. Small chests of drawers, chests of drawers and light shelves can be conveniently placed under a spiral staircase in limited space. The designs of the flight of stairs allow the successful use of spacious samples.
Built-in open wardrobe
It does not visually clutter the room, gives it spaciousness, practicality and cleanliness. This model assumes an open arrangement of objects, and therefore requires constant care and complete closure on shelves and hangers.
Roll-out
Retractable sections can be either horizontal or vertical. Each individual structural element is driven by roller wheels, which do not leave mechanical damage to the floor covering. These spacious pull-out units require storage of bulky items, belongings, sports equipment or even household appliances for cleaning.
Shelves under the stairs
A rather original design option - open shelves under the stairs. They are suitable for placing a wide variety of things and have a simple design that you can assemble yourself.
Drawers
Horizontal drawers resemble a chest of drawers and are pulled out in the same way using roller mechanisms. It is convenient to store small items and documents here. To keep your private home in order, you will need various devices and tools. They will be stored securely in drawers and always in their place.
For ease of searching and maintaining order in the drawers, you can write on the front side what is stored in each of them. Therefore, they provide compact storage of items and neat sorting.
If the width of the staircase is more than 60 cm, then it is rational to place two or three volumetric compartments under it, each of which will be divided by shelves or drawers.
This system is not only convenient for storing various items, but also looks attractive in any interior. When closed, this design looks like a piece of furniture with doors.
Wardrobe with hinged doors
Hinged doors provide access to all contents, unlike, for example, sliding wardrobes, where doors can cover shelves.
Inside the cabinet there should be the following devices:
- clothes rail;
- hooks for clothes;
- shelf for hats;
- section for storing shoes.
It is also worth placing a wardrobe of outerwear here because of the different heights. This will create a small locker for children in which they can store their things on their own. Having placed a compartment for children's clothing at the beginning of the stairs, it is necessary to equip it with a large number of hooks so that guests have somewhere to hang their jackets.
Behind the cabinet door you can organize a pantry for storing household utensils. Mops, buckets, rags and vacuum cleaners - all of this often has no place, hidden behind curtains and sofas or in the bathroom.
Here you don’t even have to create shelves, but simply place things in their permanent places.
Closet
A practical solution for finishing a basement is to install a piece of furniture with sliding doors. The opening mechanism of this design allows you to save as much space in the room as possible. Also interesting about this model is that the appearance can be different: using glass, mirror, plastic, natural wood, and so on.
It is difficult to design and build such a piece of furniture yourself. Only extensive experience in this field will allow you to accurately integrate the filing system with sliding doors. It is better to entrust the installation of the cabinet to specialists.
The slope of the stairs can interfere with the opening of doors, so the system can be equipped with other types of arrangement of the compartment under the stairs.
Kitchen cabinets
You can organize a work area for cooking in a small country house in the space under the stairs. This will allow you to leave extra space for the bedroom or living room.
The location of the work area in this place has both advantages and disadvantages. The kitchen will be compact, and zones can be separated by partitions. There will be a sink, kitchen table, stove, refrigerator.
When choosing equipment, it is necessary to take into account the maximum possible height of the room used. This condition will not allow installing a tall and bulky refrigerator. In addition, in most cases there are no windows, so it is necessary to install high-power lamps.
Glass showcase
The option of decorating the free space under the rise to the second floor using glass partitions is less often used in residential premises. This idea will allow you to visually lighten any stepped structure, even the heaviest one.
Plates, crafts, cups, certificates, and medals are often stored in a glass cabinet. Glass will prevent dust and moisture from settling on things. It will add sophistication to the interior, and in combination with LED lighting, the new cabinet will also become a bright corner of the house.
It will be difficult to create a design for display displays on your own. It is necessary to take into account many nuances, so turning to specialists is the only right step to achieve the desired result.
Combination of methods
combining different types of cabinets is convenient and practical.
A combined design with drawers, shelves, hinged or sliding doors, and glass elements allows for rational use of all the space under the stairs. A small distance between the floor and the ceiling can be equipped with drawers, a large distance with large cabinets.
Combining any design with open shelving will eliminate the need for a massive staircase.
Step-by-step process for furnishing a pantry
Cabinet design
The initial stage is drawing up a drawing and working out the design. Space comes with a twist, so you can’t do without a visual drawing with dimensions.
Wardrobe sections and cabinets are marked out, and sketches are developed separately:
- the frame of the racks, side walls, taking into account the thickness of the floor and ceiling;
- show the installation locations of runners, hinges, clamps;
- They make a lighting plan and provide a ventilation gap.
It is easier to make changes to a drawing than to correct an already built frame.
Materials and tools used
To process the structure you will need brushes, rollers, and a ditch.
They use wood, glass, metal, and put timber and plywood inside. Preparing piano hinges for swing doors.
The tool depends on the type of structure and material, in any case you will need:
- wood saw, grinder, drill, screwdriver, hammer drill;
- tape measure, square, level, plumb line, screwdriver, knife.
Treat parts of the cabinet with a brush and roller, and prepare a cuvette for paint.
Cabinet preparation and installation
You can prepare and cut out all the parts of the pantry at once, but it is better, after installing each structural element, to take accurate measurements of the next part at the place of its installation. This way you can avoid cracks, gaps and distortions in the structure.
Operating procedure:
- install all frame racks, fix them to the floor, ceiling, wall elements are attached to vertical surfaces;
- put cross members to fix the shelves, they are fastened with self-tapping screws at the end, steel corners are used for strength and stability;
- install shelves by cutting out quarters;
- install hinges, hang doors;
- do the finishing.
Sliding doors are not easy to install, so you need to study the diagram and mark the position at the top and bottom. You can do the insides yourself, and invite a specialist for the facade.
Decorative finishing, lighting and ventilation
Decorative lighting
The cabinet is finished in accordance with the surrounding interior. Before painting, wooden parts are treated with an antiseptic against bugs and fire. Inside the house, it is better to use odorless, water-based compounds. Decorative elements made of polystyrene foam are glued on like decorative molding.
Lamps are installed inside, provide general lighting or provide illumination for each shelf and drawer. The wires are sealed with special hoses, observing fire safety requirements. The switch is installed as a common one or elements that react to opening or pulling out are mounted. You can highlight the mirror separately.
A ventilation gap must be provided at the top to ensure ventilation. This is especially important for the food pantry. In addition, a supply gap is made at the bottom so that a draft is formed inside and the air is discharged outside the cabinet.
Wardrobe under the stairs and interior
When thinking about the purpose and appearance, you need to rely on the location of the staircase and the general style of the interior. Only in this case will the new furniture look natural and perform all its functions.
Living room
Combined or open shelving looks harmonious in the living room. They have a TV, library, figurines and decorative utensils. The high segments are distinguished by a dressing room.
Hallway
It is practical to install a closet under the stairs located at the entrance doors. It features casual clothing, shoes, bags, accessories and sports equipment. So that when entering the house you do not have a feeling of clutter, the closet is covered with linens as much as possible, leaving small racks for bags, umbrellas and shoes.
Kitchen area
When the staircase is located near the kitchen or dining room, the most convenient option would be a cascade of drawers and shelves.
They fit all kitchen utensils and some products. If space allows, household appliances are built in, and the façade is covered with flowing fabrics.
Duplex apartment
Shelves, retractable and combined, are appropriate here. Depending on the location of the stairs, a space for storing dishes, wardrobe or household items is equipped. To prevent the wardrobe from looking unnatural, you need to focus on the basic materials of the interior and stairs.
For example, if the staircase to the second floor is wooden, then a glossy model with plastic elements will have a minus. In this case, in addition to solid wood, veneered boards are suitable. Vertical and horizontal lines of shelves, doors and containers are combined with the lines of steps and flights of stairs. It will look natural.
it is necessary to take into account the main colors of the interior - the cabinet should be neutral to them or overlap the shades. In a narrow room, it is advisable to use light shades of materials and dilute the facade with mirrors. This will visually expand the space.
Filling elements
The filling, fittings, and components for cabinets are selected taking into account the needs of the residents, but there are certain standards that must be adhered to. “Dead” zones form in cabinets, reducing usable space. For a corner model this is a place in the corner, for other products - door frames that prevent the drawers from moving freely. The number of sections of the model depends on the number of sliding wardrobe doors. Internal elements are usually classified into mandatory, built-in, and additional.
Mandatory
Regardless of whether the wardrobe has 2 doors, three, four or more, there are elements of internal content that are present in all models of “correct” furniture. Mandatory details include:
- spacious shelves are a necessary element for a two-door, three-door cabinet or models with a large number of panels. Shelves connect the details of cabinet furniture;
- clothes rails - for an ideal compartment with one section with shelves, you need a section with a rod. Sometimes there is a combination of two compartments equipped with shelves, with one section equipped with a bar;
- drawers - without them, the ergonomics of the product are significantly reduced. The number of planned drawers depends on the number of sections.
The ideal configuration of a cabinet with two doors into two compartments includes a rod and roll-out baskets in the first compartment, shelves and drawers in the second section. Alternative ideas: the first compartment has two rods separated by a horizontal partition, and in the second section there is an installation of shelves and drawers. For the three-door version, the scheme consists of a rod, shelves in the first section, drawers and shelves in the second part, two dimensional compartments in the third section of the cabinet.
Drawers
Shelves
Barbell
Built-in
The layout of the cabinet is not limited to installing the required elements. In addition to traditional shelves, drawers, and hangers, selected built-in filling helps improve the ergonomics of the furniture design. If the closet is high, it will be inconvenient to get things from the upper mezzanine. That's why pantographs are built into furniture. Furniture elements can be installed under the ceiling and you can comfortably take things out and hang them back without using stepladders or chairs.
Furniture elevators or pantographs are metal structures that lift racks of clothes to a great height. They have a limited load of up to 15-18 kilograms. Products must be used strictly in accordance with their load capacity. The device is a simple functional part for filling high-height compartments.
Built-in elements include inclined modules for shoes. They are mounted on the lower tier of the compartment to the sidewalls of the sections. Types of filling of a sliding wardrobe photo demonstrates how convenient it is to position the fittings at an angle. This allows you to fit more pairs of shoes. Retractable mesh baskets can be built into the interior of the furniture, moving along guides with a roller or ball mechanism. Things that are located in such baskets are well ventilated.
Basket
Shoe modules
Pantograph
Nuances of cabinet placement, design dimensions
The advantage of installing a cabinet under the stairs is the optimal dimensions of this piece of furniture. The depth of the structure is equal to the width of the steps. The height of the cabinet at its maximum point must be at least 0.95 m.
Such dimensions allow you to organize storage systems for household appliances, bulky items, clothes, shoes under the stairs, as well as equip a wine store or mini-bar, shelves for souvenirs, a TV area or a corner with aquarium fish.
The size of the flaps may vary. However, the large hinged cabinet door is inconvenient to use. It is better to install furniture with two small doors. The presence of areas with blind areas is allowed. They are convenient for storing boxes.
The maximum permissible width of hinged cabinet doors is 1 m. If this figure is larger, the hinges are deformed under the weight of the doors, as a result of which the built-in closing/opening mechanism will stop working.
If you plan to install open shelving under the stairs, it is necessary to match the shelves in width and height. This is done so that in the future they can store objects of different sizes. The weight of shelves loaded with things should not overload the stairs. It is better if their mass is moderate and evenly distributed over the entire area.
Most popular designs
The main thing is to decide in advance on the configuration of the cabinet, its functional use and design. Depending on the location of the staircase and its design, this can be a closed place for storing seasonal clothes or an open hallway with separate shelves for shoes, a wardrobe with sliding and hinged doors, drawers or convenient shelves. If there is enough space, then the space under the marches is often used to place books and various decorative items.
The most convenient and practical systems:
- Open, closed or combined cabinets with hinged doors. They can be used to store casual shoes and outerwear intended for walking.
- If the staircase is located in the living room, the closet can be supplemented with spectacular glass doors with lighting, expensive dishes, collectible figurines or books can be placed in it.
- Sliding wardrobes of closed or combined design. To decorate doors, you can use various elements with mirrors, photo printing, original painting, stained glass or color film. This piece of furniture gives the surrounding interior a special charm and originality.
- Wardrobes with open shelving. They are optimally suited for small living spaces, as this furniture design visually increases the space. Most often, owners create an open library cabinet under the stairs.
- Pull-out cabinets with convenient sections and a cargo mechanism. These are modern designs that optimally follow the contours of the staircase, making them as practical and convenient as possible for storing non-standard and large items that are not included in ordinary cabinets. For example, vacuum cleaners, bicycles, skis, fishing or hunting equipment.
Ideas for the functional arrangement of space under the stairs can be the most unexpected and unusual. You just need to calculate in advance the exact overall dimensions of all elements and give preference only to high-quality materials.
When designing your own closet or combined structure, you should remember that the number of things and objects increases over time. Therefore, you should not limit yourself to a certain number of drawers and shelves. If there is a financial opportunity, you should equip the entire area under the flight of stairs at once, making maximum use of every centimeter of usable space.
Note!
The structure of the stairs and the walls of the room can be used as the main load-bearing elements of the cabinet. Of course, you cannot take into account sheathing made of plasterboard and other sheathing sheets, which will not withstand the significant weight of things and objects.
Almost any under-stairs cabinet is made using door systems in which great attention should be paid to the opening mechanism. Sliding wardrobes with sliding doors today are equipped with two types of opening systems: in a frame and on a monorail. Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages. The final choice depends on the size of the cabinet and its functional purpose, frequency of use and the magnitude of daily loads. In addition, for the movement of doors you can currently purchase profiles made of steel or aluminum. It all depends on the financial capabilities of the owner and the initial requirements for the reliability of the design.
Note!
Among the component elements, the running system should be highlighted, that is, door wheels, which experts recommend purchasing from high-quality metal or special material with Teflon coating. Plastic should be prudently discarded, since its service life does not exceed one year. Sliding sashes are not made more than 1 m, for ease of use and durability of the fittings used.
A wardrobe with spectacular and practical mirrored doors will fit perfectly into the interior of a hallway or hall. Sliding structures with photo printing or combined systems look very stylish. Abstract drawings or tinted glass with matte coating look original in the entrance area.
Decorative finishing
Filling the closet under the stairs in itself serves as an interior decoration. In addition, the sophisticated architecture of furniture will not tolerate decor, which will give it gloom. Just limit yourself to lighting and mirror surfaces.
Firstly, the space under the stairs is usually poorly lit, so additional light bulbs will not be superfluous here.
Secondly, mirror surfaces will make this corner visually larger and more spacious. You can also use furniture fittings - unusual handles, decorative facade ornaments. Cabinet doors can be covered with thermal film with an image and create a real panorama on the surface of the cabinet.
Do it yourself or to order?
Owners of country houses in most cases are proactive people and can build anything with their own hands, but is it necessary to do this?
The creation of such a piece of furniture requires precision measurements and high-quality execution of drawings. A qualified designer will be able to create an interesting project that takes into account the client’s wishes and fits organically into the interior. It is better to entrust installation work to experienced specialists.
Making custom staircase cabinets is more expensive than making the structure yourself. But in this case, the owner will receive not only a high-quality piece of furniture, created taking into account all the possibilities of space and desires, but also a guarantee for the product.
Rational organization of space
Staircase structures are most often installed in hallways, where it is not possible to place large pieces of furniture. A staircase to the second floor with built-in wardrobes will allow you to rationally solve the problem of storing winter supplies, books, tools, and seasonal items. If the space under the stairs allows, the owners can even equip entire rooms or a mini-kitchen there.
It is convenient to store linen, books, and tools on shelves; put small items in drawers under the stairs. Clothes options with rods and hangers are perfect for a winter wardrobe and equipment: bulky jackets and fur coats, skis, sleds, etc. There are many options, but for each home an individual project is developed taking into account the characteristics of the room.
How to arrange the space under the stairs with your own hands
If you want to make a wardrobe yourself and install it under the stairs, you should start implementing such a project by developing a detailed drawing. Be sure to decide on the number of shelves, doors and storage compartments. In addition, it doesn’t hurt to choose the material for the exterior and interior decoration.
The back, side and top walls of the closet are replaced with the walls of the room and stairwell. This greatly simplifies installation work. Only the doors need external finishing.
Before you start building a cabinet under the stairs, you need to decide what will be stored in it
Tools and materials for installing a cabinet under the stairs yourself
To install furniture you will need a certain set of tools and materials. Before starting work, you should ensure that you have:
- furniture brackets and screws;
- pencil and tape measure;
- materials for the construction of the frame and interior decoration;
- drills, jigsaws and electric screwdrivers;
- material for external façade finishing;
- furniture fittings.
First you need to prepare the space under the stairs. To do this, you need to remove all unnecessary elements. To avoid damaging the coating during installation work, the floor surface must be covered with foil or cloth. It is better to make shelves for storing shoes compact, but larger sections are needed for outerwear. To create partitions, you can use sheets of chipboard or plasterboard.
The basic tools for making an under stairs cabinet are a drill, a jigsaw and a screwdriver. Immediately after manufacturing, it is recommended to mark each shelf so as not to mix up the parts during installation.
How to install a cabinet under the stairs: a step-by-step guide
Installation work is carried out in a certain sequence. All parts must be cut strictly according to the drawing, strictly adhering to the established dimensions. An electric jigsaw is suitable for this. You can also use a hacksaw. All operations must be performed very carefully.
Decorative panels can be used for interior decoration. The simplest design option is to apply paint or wallpaper. The choice of material and finishing method depends on the interior of the room, as well as on the individual preferences of the homeowners. To divide the space inside the closet, use internal partitions.
Before installing the shelves and fasteners, you need to mark them with a pencil. The length of these elements should correspond to the length of the niche. To secure the shelf, you will need two strips.
The most difficult stage of installation work is installing the door frame. This task requires a painstaking approach and careful calculations. Therefore, in the absence of the necessary skills, it is advisable to entrust the manufacture and installation of doors to specialists. The door is finished before it is installed. At the final stage, the internal fittings are fixed.
These include tremor hanging rods and coat hooks. In general, making a cabinet for installation under the stairs with your own hands does not cause serious difficulties. If you want to acquire not only a functional design, but also an exclusive piece of furniture that will become a worthy decoration of the room, it is better to hire professionals for this work.
In this case, the range of design solutions that can be used when creating a wardrobe expands significantly.
Door installation
Doors can be of two types:
- Wall-mounted, attached to the cabinet “drawer” on hinges.
- A “coupe” that “travels” along two monorails installed on the floor and ceiling.
In the first case, the hinges are selected based on the material from which the piece of furniture is made and the thickness of its doors. In addition, this essential element of swinging furniture is divided into several subtypes, which have minor differences in design features. There are seven groups of hinges in total: overhead, semi-overlay, reverse, mortise, adit, piano and heel.
The first option is most often used. There are marks on the furniture for the hinges. First, the “cups” are mounted into the frame, and then they begin to secure the connecting parts to the sashes. Installation of sliding doors is carried out according to a different algorithm:
- First, attach the track to the ceiling.
- Attach the profile to the floor.
- a latch is installed that will securely fix the doors in the closed state, preventing them from moving apart.
- Adjusting the position of the dampers.
The work is completed by securing the buffer tape around the perimeter of the cabinet. This additional element will prevent dust from entering the furniture.
Construction instructions
In order to make a wardrobe out of plasterboard with your own hands, you need to read the instructions, which describe each step step by step. Studying the theoretical part will help you avoid possible mistakes in work and facilitate the assembly process.
Preparing for work
Before you start buying materials and building a box, draw a drawing of the future structure, indicating the required dimensions. You will need to determine the place where the cabinet will be, because the furniture will be located in the wall, and you will not be able to move it to another room.
Be careful when calculating dimensions. Determine the size of each compartment, shelf height, number and location of each drawer, along with hanging structures. You can make a sketch yourself or choose a ready-made option.
At the location of the future structure, markings are left using plumb lines, a construction or laser level, paint cord or pencil. The use of a laser level allows you to make accurate measurements and check the geometry of the base surface and corners.
Frame installation and finishing
If your project involves auxiliary lighting, tackle the wiring before working on the frame skeleton. A metal profile is suitable for constructing a skeleton, but if there will be a significant load on the cabinet, choose a wooden beam. The timber must be of high quality and well dried. Otherwise, after drying, the entire structure will begin to deform.
According to the markings made, mount the guide profile using dowel nails. Remember that each structural element that is attached to the base must be glued with rubber insulation.
These actions prevent the structure from reacting to shrinkage or temperature changes. The frame assembly must be carried out in strict accordance with the design to ensure maximum rigidity.
Sheathing the frame is done in the same way as when installing partitions. Cut the plasterboard sheets in advance using an electric jigsaw. In areas where increased strength is required, consider a double layer of sheathing in a staggered pattern.
After you have covered the entire frame, start gluing the joints and seams of the cabinet. For these purposes, a special mesh and tape are sold. You should also glue the perforated corners and putty the surface.
After you have completed all the steps, you can begin finishing. The interior of the furniture can be painted in the same color as the walls of the room. This action will visually increase the space in the room. Wallpaper or vinyl film is suitable for covering shelves. Don't forget to prime the surface first.
Doors for wardrobes made of plasterboard can be made from various materials:
- laminated chipboard;
- tempered glass;
- a special mirror taped with a special film on the back side.
The surface of the doors is usually decorated with drawings depicting nature, cartoon characters and other images.
Making such a cabinet with your own hands is not a difficult task. If you study this manual in detail, you will be able to quickly complete the task.
How to choose cabinet materials
When choosing a material, they are guided by the budget, operational characteristics of the staircase, purpose, future load and location of the structure. Therefore, they pay attention to strength, moisture resistance, environmental friendliness and compliance with the entire interior.
Wood boards
These are wood-based materials that are obtained by pressing sawdust, shavings and fibers. According to the pressing method, there are 2 types - chipboard and MDF.
Chipboard: sawdust and wood chips are pressed with formaldehyde resins. Cons: low strength (crumbling) and moisture resistance. Not suitable for cutting shaped products. Pros: low price.
Chipboard panels are available in a variety of finishes. The most popular are laminated chipboards.
MDF - fine shavings and sawdust compressed with natural substances. Pros: strength, moisture resistance, environmental friendliness, density and ductility. You can make complex carvings on the sheets, fasten fittings without any problems and create curved surfaces. Cons: the cost is more expensive than chipboard.
MDF panels are highly dense and are as strong as wood.
Wooden boards are available with coatings:
- Veneer. A thin layer of wood of different species, obtained by peeling or planing. The sheets are glued to wood boards. Therefore, the primary material is given the expensive and beautiful appearance of natural wood. Veneer increases resistance to the external environment and the service life of furniture.
- Lamination. Regular textured paper is used for coating. Pros: low price. Cons: vulnerability to moisture, shock loads and low strength. The situation requires extremely careful attention.
- Lamination. To cover the boards, several layers of paper are impregnated with melamine-formaldehyde resins. The result is a smooth and beautiful surface that is resistant to humidity, high temperatures and mechanical stress.
- Coloring. Covering slabs with different colorful compositions. To find out the characteristics, they are interested in the properties of the paint itself.
The face of the veneer corresponds to the type of wood from which it is made. Artificial coatings are available in different colors and textures, and can be ordered with a pattern if desired.
Tree
Solid wood cabinets are strong, beautiful and durable. Wooden furniture is rightly called elite, but it is expensive. Another disadvantage is the heavy weight and the need for special care.
An alternative to solid wood is furniture panels.
These are vertical or horizontal strips of different types of trees, fixed to a common panel. The material has a characteristic checkerboard surface.
Glass
It is used to decorate the facade, gives a beautiful appearance and eliminates the feeling of clutter in the structure.
Glasses are:
- mirror: hardened, different thicknesses, colored, with patterns and motifs;
- wavy: molded, figured, decorated, relief;
- matte: rough, matte surface, sometimes with patterns;
- painted: multi-colored glass, smooth or with a pattern.
Cabinets with mirrors, for example, in the hallway, play a functional role and visually expand the room. You should not skimp on accessories; too cheap products cannot be of high quality. Failures and improper operation of sliding, sliding and swinging mechanisms will inevitably lead to deformation of the entire furniture structure.
When purchasing, consider the expected load on the mechanisms and fasteners.
Plastic
It is used for making furniture in rooms with high humidity or for decorating facades. Pros: practicality and low price. Cons: toxic when heated, fading, quick scratching and chipping.
Facade decoration
What gives a wardrobe a designer look? Original design of facades, for the manufacture of which a variety of materials can be used. It is not necessary to make a cabinet for a built-in wardrobe, but as an option, the attic staircase can be supplemented with a cabinet model. The main materials used in the manufacture of furniture are MDF and chipboard, less often - solid natural wood. There are several ways to make and design facades:
- mirror panels - visually expand the space of the room, look appropriate in the hallway or dressing room. Behind the mirrored doors you can hide coat hangers, shoe shelves, hat shelves, and accessories;
- facades with photo printing - using professional equipment, a drawing is applied to the base using laser engraving and ultraviolet printing technology. Photo-quality finishing gives images a lifelike appearance;
- Sandblasting of colored glass. Very interesting design ideas - matte images that give the space near the stairs a luxurious and sophisticated look. Sandblasting structures are not erased and do not require complex maintenance;
- glossy plastic facades - this design visually increases the space of the room and looks impressive in contrast with the floor and carpet. Plastic is affordable, facades are presented in a wide color palette;
- doors made of rattan or bamboo. The decor is relevant in an interior in an ethno-oriental style. The material is lightweight and looks simple and natural. Rattan and bamboo can fit into a minimalist interior.
In addition, decorative leather is used to decorate the facades - it goes well with furniture made of natural wood. If the staircase in the attic is made in a simple style, with minimal furniture, then you can equip a modest wardrobe and use vertical blinds as facade panels.
This wardrobe looks inconspicuous under the stairs; it does not focus attention on the niche underneath
The closet-rack is equipped with open shelves, so all things and objects will be in sight. If it is necessary to close some sections, it is better to install combined furniture.
Popular design ideas for furniture frames include an open section and shelves with a curve, a central compartment, a compartment with a hinged door, or a drawer with a decorative panel. You can choose any furniture design for the staircase, but the decoration of the facades should be in harmony with the design of the steps, the rest of the furniture and the style of the room.
Stage 2 - hanging the door
You can cut the door frame and doors yourself using a wooden beam and a furniture board, or you can buy ready-made ones that match the size, configuration of the room, and the overall design of the house.
The entrance system requires special attention. The choice depends on the location and free space on the outside. To save space, it is recommended to install sliding and folding doors. Using conventional swing doors sometimes creates inconvenience. When purchasing doors to order, you can choose the decor, texture, and pattern of the canvas.
In order not to focus on the presence of a utility room, it is ideal to use the same doors as in the whole house. This will make it invisible
The storage room will fit organically into the overall design of the space
It is important to place the door to the storage room under the stairs correctly so that it opens outwards and not into the small room. Mounting is carried out on conventional door hinges
Filling the space under the stairs
The space under the stairs can be decorated with a variety of storage systems, for example:
- For clothes and shoes.
- Bookshelf.
- For storing kitchen utensils.
- Household goods.
- Decorative elements.
Drawers in the steps
An interesting solution for using the free space under the flight of stairs is to install products on the steps.
On the steps
A simple design is not difficult to make yourself. It is also easy to fix the system in the form of runners on the staircase support.
On the steps
Advice: to prevent dust and debris from falling into the drawers from the steps of the stairs, careful adjustment of the entire structure to size is necessary.
Installation technology
Regardless of whether the design is made to order or made by hand, there are several main stages in its construction.
- Initially, you need to decide on the type and all its elements.
- Next, measurements are taken of the entire place.
- The frame is manufactured according to the completed drawings.
- The running gears are installed.
With closers
- Doors and facades are installed.
Finished building
Pull-out cabinets under the stairs can be manufactured in both budget and premium versions. It all depends on individual needs and the funds that can be spent on it.
The staircase is an important element of any multi-storey building, including a country house or a two-level city apartment. For its construction, a significant area is allocated in the living space. Modern designers, architects and constructors pay great attention to arranging the space under flights of stairs. The most popular cupboard is under the stairs. There is enough space under the spans to store clothes and shoes, hats and various items.
Interesting ideas in a private house
The staircase leading to the second floor in a country cottage can be located along the wall or in the center of the room, have a straight shape or have a design with a certain bend.
Inside a private house, under a flight of stairs, there are several storage systems, such as a pantry, a lighted display case for collectible wine bottles, a small library, a dressing room and others.
At the dacha, the space under the stairs is often occupied by special supports, a clean cabinet or shelves for jars of jam or other storage.
If the height of the steps is sufficient, the space under the stairs is designed in sections to accommodate various dishes and other utensils. This solution will be especially appropriate for a small kitchen in the house. In the living room under the stairs, there is mainly a structure that occupies the position of the TV, and there are also additional shelves for books, photo frames and other furnishings.
Also in this area you can arrange a compact work area or a mini-workshop, where, thanks to the original configuration of the cabinet, the room will acquire a special charm and creative look.
Useful tips
You can arrange a work area under the stairs.
Instead of a storage room, a small kitchen is installed in the space, a sofa for relaxing, and a reading chair are placed. If you put a table and a work chair, you will get a place to work on a laptop.
If the staircase is wide and located in the center of the hall, the storage room is built on both sides for two-way access.
They approach the organization of the pantry creatively; there are no restrictions for this work, so the owner chooses all divisions into sections according to his taste.
Photos of cabinets in the interior
The basement is decorated using any furniture. It is desirable that this furniture have decorative accessories, finishing and materials that match the flight of stairs in color and style. In this way, you can get a more durable structure that favorably integrates the interior of the entire room.
Quite often, the design includes products made from MDF, chipboard or wooden models. For furniture facades, photo printing, sandblasted patterns, opaque images, colored and transparent glass with backlighting or mirrored doors are sometimes used, which are especially suitable for organizing a dressing room or corridor.
A shelf-shaped wine bar with compartments and racks for bottles will fit perfectly under the stairs in the dining room or living room. For the kitchen space, you can equip a suite in this area, and in the hallway you can take up space under the steps with a hanger, shoe shelves or small racks for storing things, keys and umbrellas.
The nursery has space to store children's toys, books, clothes and shoes. If there is a more spacious closet under the stairs, you can store a bicycle and various sports equipment.
Main components
Modern mechanisms make the design very easy to use. As a rule, it consists of several separate modules, which, when closed, are organically hidden under a flight of stairs.
The retractable type may consist of:
- Shelves;
- Compartments with hangers for clothes;
- Mesh systems for storing shoes;
- Compartments
The system also includes a running mechanism and façade finishing of the modules.
Retractable types
They are equipped with a sliding mechanism.
Constructions
The runner fastening system is designed in such a way that the extended product does not break the support on which it is fixed. The size in this case should be 10 mm less than the distance between the sides of the cabinet. This is necessary for installation of the mechanism and free movement.
Special design
It is better to choose the depth depending on the type of things that will be stored there. It is more convenient to place shallow ones in the upper zone.
It is advisable to arrange larger structures at the bottom. This will give them additional support on the base of the floor. This, in turn, will reduce the load on the lateral movement mechanisms.
Facades must be made with small gaps so that neighboring ones do not touch each other when extending. If there are quite a lot of them, then it is not necessary to attach overhead handles to each of them.
To conveniently open an individual element, you can use the following options:
- The ends are made beveled. So they will successfully replace a decorative handle.
- A decorative L-shaped or U-shaped aluminum profile can be attached to the facade.
- More convenient opening systems by pressing have also been developed: Push Open and Tip-On.
Thus, the external surface of the facades will not be visually overloaded with a large number of decorative details.
Modular vertical types
Modular cabinets can be pulled out using a cargo wheel system.
Tip: it is better to choose module wheels from durable metal with Teflon coating. Plastic elements are very unreliable and short-lived.
This system makes it possible to move modules outside, which is very convenient to use. Some designs can be equipped with electric drives.
Children's room
The dimensions of the product depend on the size of the stairs. The design of such furniture is quite spacious.
You can make this type of furniture yourself only if you have the appropriate skills. But even in this case, it is better to order the facade finishing details of modules or drawers according to size.
You can learn more about stairs with built-in wardrobes in the video in this article.
The price of such built-in furniture depends on:
- Size of the structure;
- The complexity of the entire system;
- Materials used for its manufacture;
- Type of mechanism.
You can do a lot yourself using inexpensive materials, which will significantly reduce the overall cost of furniture.