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Original poster

Ideas for under stairs cupboard

25 replies

Mum2KSS · 02/04/2023 16:51

Hi all. Some Mumsnet wisdom needed please. I have an under stairs cupboard that I use for storing bedlinen. It's a bit of a mess and I'd love some proper storage, I have a vision of some bespoke deep pullout drawers but I can't see anything similar online. Has anyone done anything like this or have ideas on how I could use this space effectively?

Ideas for under stairs cupboard
Ideas for under stairs cupboard
Ideas for under stairs cupboard
OP posts:
Thread gallery
8
Dotcheck · 02/04/2023 16:57

I would have space at the very bottom for storage crates. Above that some deep shelves one fixed, then one on top which is shallower, and pulls out. Then a rail above that.

What do you need to put in it? Probably should have asked that first….

Original poster
Mum2KSS · 02/04/2023 16:59

Thanks @Dotcheck - it would only be used for storing bedding

OP posts:
dreamersdown · 02/04/2023 18:50

Do you have any budget to do it? Because we got these kind of drawers built in and they are fab, but they aren’t super cheap

Ideas for under stairs cupboard
Dotcheck · 02/04/2023 22:00

Maybe something like the mesh units above?

I would hate to lose the space that stretches out in the back, so I would still build a fixed platform, to put long storage crates below ( for off season bedding) and the unit on top

afrikat · 02/04/2023 22:06

We used Clever Closets, they are fab

reddingweddy · 02/04/2023 22:07

You could house an orphaned boy wizard for a bit?

user143777534 · 02/04/2023 22:08

dreamersdown · 02/04/2023 18:50

Do you have any budget to do it? Because we got these kind of drawers built in and they are fab, but they aren’t super cheap

Not sure about OP, but those are exactly what I’m looking for. Could I ask roughly how much they were and who did them?

Cathpot · 02/04/2023 22:08

DH made 2 pull out sections with 3 shelves on the taller one and 2 on the next section along, going down the triangle of that makes sense. The outward face he has made into bookshelves so they are sort of secret storage which is oddly pleasing. In the very little triangle corner he made a pull out that holds wrapping paper rolls. It holds far far more than it did as one cupboard. We left the door at the end that was the original way into the cupboard but blocked that section off and put coat hooks in on all 3 walls.

crew2022 · 02/04/2023 22:09

Fit it with a wine fridge and a cupboard

Original poster
Mum2KSS · 03/04/2023 07:44

Thanks for all the ideas so far. Yes we have the budget. The pullouts look fab, what's the rough cost?

OP posts:
DustyLee123 · 03/04/2023 07:47

I would go in from the side, as we struggle to use the very back of ours which has a box that slides out. It’s dark and I bang my head a lot.

iwantabreakfastpantry · 03/04/2023 08:37

Cathpot · 02/04/2023 22:08

DH made 2 pull out sections with 3 shelves on the taller one and 2 on the next section along, going down the triangle of that makes sense. The outward face he has made into bookshelves so they are sort of secret storage which is oddly pleasing. In the very little triangle corner he made a pull out that holds wrapping paper rolls. It holds far far more than it did as one cupboard. We left the door at the end that was the original way into the cupboard but blocked that section off and put coat hooks in on all 3 walls.

This sounds amazing - would you be happy to share photos, either here or DM? Totally understand if you would rather not.

Polik · 03/04/2023 08:45

I'd love to see an image too Cathpot. I need oues to be primarily a shoe-dump area, but your idea sounds awesome.

What concerns me about drawers like dreamersdown image is the drawer tracks failing/warping - this is usually yhe reason we have to replace chests of drawers. Given we have 4 children (3 of which are teens) they aren't delicate or careful.

GretaGood · 03/04/2023 09:04

are you sure you need that much bedding!

SkankingWombat · 03/04/2023 09:32

I would keep the door, but put a wall up 500mm in to make it shallower and fit shelving to house the bedding. That way you make full use of the height of the cupboard. You could also have the shelves not coming the full depth of the cupboard and fit hooks to the back of the door for coats, if you are lacking storage for those elsewhere.
Then I would open up the side to access the space behind the new wall. Pull out sections would be best if you can stretch to it, but if not then even a simple cupboard space with a door would allow you to store more and access it more easily than your current set up.

adoptionthread1 · 03/04/2023 09:39

My first thought exactly, @reddingweddy!

Wow what the PP's DH built including space designated for rolls of wrapping paper , sounds amazing!!

L3ThirtySeven · 03/04/2023 09:40

dreamersdown · 02/04/2023 18:50

Do you have any budget to do it? Because we got these kind of drawers built in and they are fab, but they aren’t super cheap

I have these and they are amazing! Have all our shoes and bags in them.

L3ThirtySeven · 03/04/2023 09:44

Polik · 03/04/2023 08:45

I'd love to see an image too Cathpot. I need oues to be primarily a shoe-dump area, but your idea sounds awesome.

What concerns me about drawers like dreamersdown image is the drawer tracks failing/warping - this is usually yhe reason we have to replace chests of drawers. Given we have 4 children (3 of which are teens) they aren't delicate or careful.

Ours are very sturdy. We have three square drawers across the bottom, then two above and on on top.

Ideas for under stairs cupboard
dreamersdown · 03/04/2023 09:59

user143777534 · 02/04/2023 22:08

Not sure about OP, but those are exactly what I’m looking for. Could I ask roughly how much they were and who did them?

Show quote history

@Mum2KSS we used a company called Space Tidy and they were £1470 all in, last year.

They take measurements of your space and then they build the drawers offsite and colour match to whatever colour you’d like. The drawers only take one day to install.

dreamersdown · 03/04/2023 10:02

L3ThirtySeven · 03/04/2023 09:44

Ours are very sturdy. We have three square drawers across the bottom, then two above and on on top.

Show quote history

Excuse the mess but - they are extremely robust, and if you want them for shoes they can add these (removable) struts to put shoes on which makes them even stronger. We are really robust with them, slamming away and no issues at all 1.5 years on.

Ideas for under stairs cupboard
Cathpot · 03/04/2023 17:20

Bit blurry but you can see the idea. I almost tidied up the storage before taking a picture but then didn’t - just so you know I know my drawers are indeed a mess. DH used heavy duty ply and they run on casters underneath rather than rails as very heavy. They are excessively solid but I’m sure could be done with less agricultural woodworking, to look more swept up like the dreamer down ones.

Ideas for under stairs cupboard
Ideas for under stairs cupboard
Ideas for under stairs cupboard
Ideas for under stairs cupboard
user143777534 · 03/04/2023 19:09

I think this is my new favourite thread! They all look fab. The cost is in the ballpark of my budget too!

dreamersdown · 03/04/2023 19:09

Cathpot · 03/04/2023 17:20

Bit blurry but you can see the idea. I almost tidied up the storage before taking a picture but then didn’t - just so you know I know my drawers are indeed a mess. DH used heavy duty ply and they run on casters underneath rather than rails as very heavy. They are excessively solid but I’m sure could be done with less agricultural woodworking, to look more swept up like the dreamer down ones.

God I’d love to have a DH who is as handy/ to be myself as handy as your DH! These are so fab!

iwantabreakfastpantry · 03/04/2023 21:53

Cathpot · 03/04/2023 17:20

Bit blurry but you can see the idea. I almost tidied up the storage before taking a picture but then didn’t - just so you know I know my drawers are indeed a mess. DH used heavy duty ply and they run on casters underneath rather than rails as very heavy. They are excessively solid but I’m sure could be done with less agricultural woodworking, to look more swept up like the dreamer down ones.

This is impressive!!

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