9 Under-Stairs Ideas Using a Narrow Shoe Cupboard

The space under the stairs is often the most awkward corner of a British home, yet a narrow shoe cupboard can turn it into one of the most useful. In this article we share nine practical ideas that suit different staircases and households, from the closed understairs cupboards of Victorian terraces to the open voids found beneath many semis and new builds. We look at lining the side of an open staircase with cupboards in stepped heights, placing a single tall cupboard at the highest point, creating a small boot room corner and pairing a cupboard with a bench for sitting to put shoes on. We also explain how to combine shoe storage with general storage, use the cupboard top as a console and paint the recess to make freestanding furniture look fitted. Along the way we cover walkway clearance, ventilation, lighting, seasonal tidying and sensible options for people who rent....