The Little Nook That Could: Our Under-the-Stairs Transformation

Once I saw that empty, neglected space, I couldn’t unsee it. The wall between the back of the closet and this mysterious void didn’t stand a chance.

I didn’t know exactly what it was going to be — maybe storage, maybe a little desk nook — but I have three kids with very big imaginations. And really, what kid wouldn’t want a secret little under the stairs nook to escape their sibling rivalries?

My Order of Operations (in my head):

• Knock down the walls and see what's back there.
• See what the potential is to incorporate electricity and ventilation.
• Figure out the rest along the way.
  
  

Honestly, this is the first project I’ve pretty much taken on myself. Yes, I grew up around construction. I know my way around tools, have my own set, and am absolutely that person in a store who says, “I can make that.”

But do I usually make that? No. I usually outsource for the sake of time and convenience.

This one, though — I wanted to see through myself.

My dad always left measurements and notes on scrap pieces of wood. It's kind of my favorite thing to stumble upon when I find them laying around.

I went with Sherwin Williams Rain Cloud (SW 9639) for the color, which perfectly matched the Painterly Gingham Wallpaper sample I was using as a buffer to paint the baseboards.

Did that open up a can of worms to install wallpaper in this nook? Absolutely. Give it time...

The narrow entryway into this newfound space threw me for a loop — what could it be?

This new house doesn’t have a dedicated studio, and my dining room currently moonlights as my “office.” So, turning this spot into something art- or work-related seemed right.

About a year ago, on impulse no doubt, (the best kind), I ordered these ledge shelves on Etsy that are meant for displaying leaning frames. They fit perfectly along that slim wall. This ultimately underpinned the concept for this space, and we turned it into a kids’ art gallery.

The children’s play table and a pair of vintage chairs — both of which have wandered around the house like a missing left shoe — found their perfect forever corner here. All the kids' art supplies and sketchbooks are in here, so no need to fish them out of a cabinet only to find out that I need to clean out that cabinet. Honestly, this entire project got started because I was avoiding a pile of laundry to fold. But that's not the point.

Now we have our little creative nook: a place to lounge, color, and imagine.

A Twin Mattress, a Staircase, and Questionable Parenting

The lower portion of the stairs that turns back toward the first floor just happens to be the exact size of a twin mattress. Which, coincidentally, is also the width of the stairs themselves.

Has that mattress been used as a sleigh down the staircase? Maybe.

Did I, as their mother, encourage this on a rainy day stuck inside? Absolutely.

What’s Next for the Space

For now, the under-the-stairs nook is a kid-sized creative escape — but I’ve got plenty of ideas for its next chapter (once they outgrow it or I’d like my dining table back).

Other Ideas:

• Blockbuster: We cancel all streaming services and create a mini movie rental corner. Otherwise, this generation will never know the thrill of your favorite VHS being checked out — but then spotting it in the return bin. #bekindandrewind

• The Record Room: You can’t deny how fun that alliteration is. The same wooden shelves could hold records, and I could retreat to this hidden spot to listen to old favorites.

• Office: The space under the lower end of the stairs could become a built-in desk area (space above this area to remain a sleigh-zone). There’s no natural light, which is a bummer — but it’s also the perfect environment to disappear for hours and design new patterns while forgetting what day it is. Dinner might be forgotten too, but the creativity would flow.

• Podcast Studio: I don’t have a podcast (yet), but if someone did, this would make the coziest little recording studio and a tight space for solid acoustics — that is, as long as no one’s running or sleighing down the stairs. There’s not enough insulation in the world to muffle a pre-teen’s hormonally charged stomp.

Sources & Colors

(Add your sources, paint colors, or wallpaper details here — for example:)

• Wall Color: Sherwin Williams Rain Cloud (SW 9639)

• Shelves: Picture Ledge Shelf by Beirmade on Etsy

• Play Table + Chairs: West Elm Kids Play Table (chairs are vintage)

• Rug: Dahl Wool Rug from Revival