DIY Network

Closet Under the Stairs Huge storage space is right under your feet. From "Wasted Spaces" episode DWSP-309

This deep closet is loaded with space.

Wasted Spaces host Karl Champley knows how to find space just about anywhere – and he says the area under staircases is a prime spot to find extra room. After helping homeowners Luc and Olivera open up a huge space under their stairs, he worked with them to build and install a compact home office that takes advantage of the extra area.

With the office in place, Karl helps Olivera create a tall storage closet next to the office. This deep closet is perfect for anything from out-of-season clothes to the many toys scattered throughout their living room. Scroll down to see how they set it up.

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Closet Under the Stairs

Tools: chop saw table saw cordless drill nail gun compressor measuring tape 4' level carpenter’s pencil safety glasses paint rollers, brushes, and trays

Materials: 31/2" plywood /4" plywood 1-5/8" drywall screws finish nails pre-hung door unit door knob 2x4s, 8' long storage bins 1/2" plywood Colonial trim

	Figure A
	Figure B

• Frame out the door. Use 2x4s to frame the door opening if a frame isn't already in place. Base the frame dimensions on the size of the door.

• Install the door. Slide the pre-hung door into the framed opening and secure the hinged side first (figure A). Remove one screw from each door hinge and replace it with a longer screw that extends into the wall stud, then attach the latch side of the door casing.

  Safety Alert: Always wear safety glasses when using a nail gun or any other power tool.

• Create closet walls. Measure the walls of the closet (figure B), cut plywood to those dimensions and install by nailing to the studs. For this project, Karl used 1/2" plywood, which he painted white to make the closet brighter.

  Tip: Paint the plywood before installing. A few visible nailheads don't matter much compared to the convenience of painting outdoors instead of inside a tiny closet.
  

  Figure C

• Design the closet interior. Measure the available space and the storage containers that will go in the closet. Sketch out a design for shelves that will hold the desired containers, leaving extra space to make it easier to remove the containers. For this project, the shelves are spaced to accommodate storage bins 12" tall, so the shelves are spaced 13"-14" apart.

• Install ledger strips. Use a nail gun to tack ledger strips all the way around the closet to support the shelves, making sure each strip is level and properly lined up. Secure the strips with screws (figure C).

• Install shelves. Cut shelves to fit the closet from 1/2" plywood. Paint the shelves, let dry and slide into place. Since the shelves are a tight fit, slip them in at an angle and flatten them down over the ledger strips.