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Renovating Design Dilemma Hallways

advice for awkward nook at top of stairs

3 years ago

I’m looking for advice/inspiration for this small, awkward space? I have 2 small children and it’s a bit of a safety hazard at the top of my stairs. Have considered a chest of drawers/unit but due to depth there would be a large gap between that and the windowsill.

(Excuse the clutter, in the process of decorating and it’s currently a storage space!)

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Comments (8)

Daisy England
3 years ago
I was going to suggest a window seat which you could make and paint out of MDF and then put a foam seat on top but wasn’t sure what the door was on the right hand side of the photo. Do you need to access this?
Nat Mcintosh
Original Author
3 years ago
I actually love this idea but I would still be concerned about that drop at the bottom right hand side. I don’t believe there’s anything in the wee door, it’s an attic conversion so I think it’s just access to the eaves.
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sarh123
3 years ago
As this is an upper window I personally wouldn’t raise the floor as it could provide a dangerous access point for the window, as well as increasing the risk of falling down the stairs to the right.Perhaps change the window to make that a special feature?
Ellie
3 years ago
I would always see that as a safety hazard with children, and adults, of all ages. I'd build in shelves to make a bookcase. The Ikea type shelves you are able to easily lift off for access whenever needed.
Nat Mcintosh
Original Author
3 years ago
Yes exactly, creating height only enhances the hazard of the bottom right hence my predicament. I can’t change the window as it’s a dormer, so the roof slop starts just below the windowsill. The attic conversion was completed by the previous owners, bit of a design flaw.
Lé Rusty
3 years ago
I would be tempted to make the space into a storage cupboard. The top could become a deep window sill to have decor on. This would make the space too high for little ones to reach and therefore safer. (The storage space could continue into the eaves if you removed the door on the RH side)
Sonia
3 years ago
My first thought was a bookcase, but bit of an awkward spot isn’t it? Or a small cupboard?
sarh123
3 years ago
How about some really beautiful fabric as a curtain hanging to the right of the window and then a tall vase or something special positioned to the left. Just something that looks lovely as you walk down the stairs. I think that spot is just too dangerous to do anything else.

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