DIY Network

Finding Space Under the Stairs Open up a huge storage area. From "Wasted Spaces" episode DWSP-309

Homeowners Luc and Olivera want to move their home office out of their high-use guest room – but they think the only other option is their cluttered living room. Host Karl Champley comes to the rescue when he finds a huge wasted space under the stairs – perfect for a compact home office and even a storage cupboard to corral children's toys.

Open up this wasted space...

and put it to work!

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Finding Space Under the Stairs

Tools:

drywall saw reciprocating saw measuring tape hammer 4' level utility knife pry bar

carpenter’s pencil safety glasses gloves sledge hammer flashlight drop cloth

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

• Take a look. Space under the stairs is easy to ignore because it's so well hidden. If the stairs aren't carpeted, carefully pry up a tread and use a flashlight to look underneath (figure A). If prying up a tread isn't an option, cut a small inspection hole in the drywall – it's much easier to patch a small drywall hole than replace a large piece.

• Check the support. If the space checks out, knock a larger inspection hole between two wall studs and take a closer look. Most stairs are well-supported at the top and bottom of the stringers. Make sure the stairs have this kind of stability before proceeding. Check with a structural engineer to determine if the wall is load-bearing – never remove studs from a load-bearing wall.

  Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses when knocking or cutting holes in drywall or when using any power tool.

• Cut the closet hole. Locate the studs in the wall and determine the position for the closet door. Use a reciprocating saw or a drywall saw to cut the drywall – but not the studs – to accommodate the closet door (figure B).

  Safety Alert: Reciprocating saws are powerful and can have a strong "kick." If you're not confident you can control the tool safely, get assistance or use a different tool.

• Cut the office hole. Score a level line from the closet hole to the bottom of the stair stringer and cut the drywall along this line. Also cut away the drywall along the bottom of the stair stringer (figure C).

• Remove studs. Use a reciprocating saw to cut the tops of the studs in the closet hole and the office hole. With the tops cut, pry the studs away from the footers (figure D).

• Clean it out. Clean out the space under the stairs thoroughly before proceeding with any construction.