Having a space under the staircase can seem like a waste if not used correctly.
Instead of an unattractive empty space or a broom closet, imagine having a comfortable sitting nook with a TV under the stairs.
This seemingly wasted space can become your favorite spot to sit with a cold drink after a long day and catch up on your favorite show.
Creating this place is easier than it looks, but you must keep a few things in mind.
Setting Up the TV
TV placement is critical in any room of the house. When working with a tiny location, such as the area beneath the stairs, being strategic is essential.
Because this is a small and contained room, it is critical to open it up and make it feel and appear like an integral part of the house rather than feeling and looking like a cave.
Mounting the TV rather than placing it on a stand can make the space feel more inviting and at home. On the other hand, a TV stand may be the only thing that makes sense in certain layouts.
Keep the Wires Clean
Small spaces can make minor details stand out like a sore thumb. It is critical to keep the wiring in this area clean and orderly.
Use wire coverings, especially if you have many consoles or surround-sound speakers installed.
If this location lacks outlets, hiring a local electrician could be a fantastic choice. It would provide you the freedom you need to connect many devices and would round out this space.
Consider the Height of the TV
Setting up the TV at the right height is important for any entertainment space. When you sit down on the couch or in your favorite recliner, you’ll want to be able to watch your favorite shows at the perfect height.
An easy way to accomplish this perfectly is by sitting down with your eyes closed, finding the spot on the wall directly in front of your nose, and then moving up about 20 degrees.
This will be the perfect spot to allow you to enjoy your movies and shows without hurting your neck.
Once you’ve considered these preliminary ideas, it’s time to make the space your favorite spot in the house.
5 Ideas for TVs Under the Stairs
1. Keep it Clutter-Free
Working with small spaces in the house can be challenging, especially spaces with odd angles and ceilings.
The space under the stairs can be an elegant sitting area that provides the perfect amount of relaxation and comfort.
Since this space is typically small and cramped, it’s imperative to keep it clutter-free.
Try not to have too many accessories and decorations in this area, and instead, let the bigger furniture such as the TV, chairs, and side tables become the interest of this space.
Keeping this area clean and clutter-free will make it feel bigger and more inviting to you and your guests.
Keep your remotes, wires, magazines, and coasters out of sight when they’re not in use to make this space feel open and inviting.
2. Use Lighting to Your Advantage
Strategic lighting in small or cramped spaces can go a very long way. Choosing the best lighting for the space will depend on the style of the home.
Try using LED light strips on the sloped part of the ceiling (under the stairs) for a stylish and sleek lighting option for modern homes.
If the home is more of a rustic or farmhouse-style home, choose unique pendant lights that can hang from the sloped part of the ceiling.
To add an industrial twist to this space, use pendant lights of different lengths to make the space perfectly imperfect.
Using table lamps instead of overhead lighting can make the space feel cozy, quiet, and inviting.
There’s no wrong way to incorporate light, and it’s a great chance to make this space perfectly fit your style.
3. Incorporate Floating Shelves
No matter what your style is or how your house is decorated, incorporating floating shelves can be a great addition to this space.
Frame your TV in the area under your stairs by using floating shelves on either side. Keeping the shelves minimal and clutter-free is the key to making this work for your space.
The great thing about floating shelves is that you can easily choose some that perfectly match your style. If you’re going for an industrial look, choose black metal shelves to freshen up the space.
If the rest of your home has a farmhouse style, try natural wood floating shelves to incorporate the rustic feel from the rest of your house.
These will not take up much room, and they can be completely customizable to your space, making them a great addition to this area under the stairs.
4. Use Chairs for the Seating Area
Instead of committing to a large and bulky couch for this area, use unique chairs or recliners to add comfort and style while you’re watching your favorite shows.
The area under the stairs is usually pretty small, and it likely won’t have even dimensions. Finding a couch that would fit this space will be near impossible.
Using chairs in smaller spaces makes it feel intimate and inviting. Your guests won’t feel like they’re crammed in, and they’ll be able to choose a spot that makes them comfortable.
This is also a great option because you can easily arrange and re-arrange chairs to fit your needs as your needs change.
For an industrial style, choose brown leather chairs with metal accents to tie into the rest of your home. For a mid-century-style home, try to find vintage suede chairs that have a history to them.
If you’re looking for a clean farmhouse look, find off-white upholstered chairs that make the space feel clean and inviting.
5. Maximize Storage
Creating spaces that fit the home’s style and serve a functional purpose is important in a small area.
A great way to do this is by using end-tables or built-ins. Framing the TV under the stairs with custom built-ins could be a great way to include much-needed storage and make the TV the center of attention.
Using the space under the stairs to your advantage by creating pull-out storage on one side of your TV instead of traditional shelving is another great way to frame this space and keep things functional.
To keep the space clutter-free, put cabinet doors on the lower half of the built-ins to hide the storage space underneath, and keep the top shelves clean and elegant.
Also, choosing side tables or ottomans that have storage space underneath is a great way to keep your remotes, coasters, and magazines hidden from plain sight.
Finding furniture that doubles as storage space is important in small areas and can have a huge impact on the space under the stairs.
