Space under stairs

[joec_85]

Hi guys

Hope you all had a great x-mas and new year

I've got a space under my stairs that is currently being used as an office/junk store:

I'd really like to make this into some kind of storage cupboard - perhaps with the left half being shelved (for stationary, my wifes craft stuff etc) and the right half being a larger/full height storage space for things like the vacuum cleaner, broom etc. Either way, I'd like it to be hidden from the rest of the room.

The thing is, I'm not really sure of the best way of using the space - would you suggest blocking off the left half completely and putting a door in the right half - so that you walk into the cupboard and then access the left half from inside? Or perhaps vice-versa? Or a door on both!?

Also - with regards to the actual construction - would you just build little 'partition walls' between the wooden beam and the edge of the staircase? I'm REALLY not sure about that side of things...

Anyway, any ideas/examples would be greatly appreciated! Sorry to sound a bit vague but I'm struggling to find inspiration for this one!

Thanks,

Joe

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Argh my eyes! Yellow walls and yellow radiator?

 

[JohnD]

a roll-out trolley is very handy for small spaces. You can make its shelves to fit the sloping gap.

 

[RedHerring2]

I think you're struggle to finish any wall/door neatly around that radiator.
You might need to set the wall/door back under the stairs a little to clear the radiator.

 

[ladylola]

Freddie I don't think it's all yellow, the OP just needs to reset the white balance to tungsten lighting on his camera

As RH2 suggests a nib to get around the rad, then I'd put a door between that and the post with a high level shelf . To the left of the post either a series of drawers, a door hinged to the post with shelves behind or a wheeled shelving unit that can be pulled out.

 

[OwainDIYer]

Freddie I don't think it's all yellow, the OP just needs to reset the white balance to tungsten lighting on his camera

Inside the radiator the fins look white ...

Somebody has also been doing some stencilling round the walls ...

Thing is, if you make the understairs into a cupboard for the vac and broom, where do you put all the stuff that's currently under the stairs?

 

[freddiemercurystwin]

Just build a partition with 50x75 studs and a sheet of board each side, fit the door/partition over far enough so that it clears the rad, job done surely!

Lets credit the OP with having thought about where he's gonna stick the stuff that's currently in the way!

 

[1two3]

Why has no one said MOVE the bleedin' radiator??? lol.. or if thats a chore (e.g. if concrete floor) put a smaller double-panel one in?

Fairly simple and low cost job for which 2"x 2" timber (typically 47mm x 47mm in new money) would suffice along with a couple of 8'x4' plasterboards (2400mm x 1200mm x 9.5mm).

If someone tells me how to include a picture (jpg) I can post one up of an almost identical job which may give you some idea (I click on "img" then it asks for url so where do I attach the pic to?

 

[RedHerring2]

Two points:
1. Apologies to Joey, but when someone asks how to 'box-in' the under stairs area, I, for one, assume that they won't be able to move the radiator themselves. I could be wrong.
2. Upload the image to an Album created in your profile first, then it's really easy to add it to a post. Just click on 'Show My Images' button below (available when you make your reply) and click on the image that you want to add.
The other method of adding images that you explored is for when the images are elsewhere, lke ImageShack or similar.

 

[OwainDIYer]

Lets credit the OP with having thought about where he's gonna stick the stuff that's currently in the way!

It's the bit I always forget ...

 

[1two3]

thanks redherring, I uploaded a pic but its also got used as my profile

dunno what the confusion is about "boxing in", if it's not a concrete floor then it would be plain daft not to move/change it IMO, and ideas about leaving it in situ make me imagine a poor looking result thats all.

Joey, I attach a pic..

unfortunately doesn't show as much detail as the copy on my desktop (I'll have to concede now to the technology). Move the rad and you'll almost certainly need to put a light and switch in there.