Under stairs dilemma

8 years ago

Help!!! In my dining room is an under stairs area that I don't know what to do with. The dining room is very dark as only has light from a kitchen window and a small frosted window. I have considered enlarging the window but the glass would still need to be frosted as looks onto a neighbours garage. Please give me any advice you can. Thank you

Featured Answer

Tani H-S

8 years ago

Enlarging the window would look good - especially to be practical to let more light in.

You could have a simple stained glass panel put in as a feature piece/artwork if you have enough budget and it can be textured clear glass if you aren't keen on colour. Worth asking a local glass company for a price (don't go for the fake stuff as it doesn't last long & colours can fade!)

Alternatively reading nook with build in seating (was suggested to me for my bedroom & it's a fab idea for spaces like that)

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Comments (19)

PRO
Akiva Projects Ltd
8 years ago
Hello,

You could enlarge the window in a triangle shape as well, never mind if it's frosted as you still have the light coming in. Nowadays there are so many choices that I'm sure you could find some lovely frosty glass.

Have you considered creating a seating area in that corner? You could have a 'built in' sofa in from of your window or get some stylish chair or a two seat sofa?

You could also add some colours to your living space.

Good luck with your Project!
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Congrats on the new kitchen! It looks great (as much as I can see of it) and I love the wood (oak?) you've chosen and those gorgeous doors. That's a good space for a pantry, as skr01606 suggested. You can go two ways, either for some classic shelves or for pull-out drawers (both would need to be custom made, unless you go for that system of boards on adjustable brackets (like in 2nd pic). Now, if you choose shelves, you could first leave enough space for the dyson and build shelves around it. To use both sides, one could have 'normal' (about 20cm) wide shelves, the other side narrow, spice rack type. If it was my space though, assuming you have enough storage in the kitchen (that was supposed to be a loo, right?) I'd have a 'wine cellar' in there. Sort of like the last photo, but smaller :)) Hope this helps, good luck! PS: You can image google 'under stairs pantry' for more ideas.
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I always think that a hall with a seating area is just bliss for sitting down while pulling on your boots or flicking through a magazine or two! I would shelve the entire area that is before the post and have a built in seat with more storage above and below it to make life even more clutter free. Good luck hope it works out for you.
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Katherine Hello The diagonal stringer supports the stair itself and it looks like there may be a small timber edge trimming beam at the top running along the edge. I don't think the posts are structural but do ask a structural engineer to confirm. The other thing you can check is which way the joists run in the floor at the top of the stair. In an old house the boards run in the opposite direction to the supporting timber joists, so if you lift the carpet you can tell which way the joists run. If the joists run parallel to the stair the load is not being taken by the stair opening in the floor. If they run perpendicular they may be bearing on the trimming beam and the posts could be structural, even though they don't look it. Ask a skilled builder or and engineer to take a look.
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Catherine Hounslow
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
You could enlarge the window but put adhesive film on lower part-it gives a slightly frosted impression . It allows some privacy . You could also use plain cotton voile curtains that would allow a lot of light in . I had an extra window put in for more light in a dark living room and just put a plant in part of the space .This allowed a lot of light and also some privacy and interest .
PRO
Photo4me.com
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
St James Design Interiors Ltd hit the nail on the head, my first thought was a sitting area. Perfect for a pre-meal or Post meal chat -- for someone who doesn't like sitting at the table but can still converse with those who are.

My other thoughts was to maybe make a nice little box shelves to put books or anything really. Last thought (if there is children in the house) was to make a child's desk, drawing station. Parents can eat while the little one(s) can play.

I do think a sitting area sofa as St James already suggested was the best idea.

All the best!
PRO
Go Glass Design Ltd
8 years ago
Hi There

There are a lot of options available to you when you have decided the shape that you would like to, as Tani Harvery Smith says, don't go for stick on etching. I think that an etched glass panel would look fantastic and you could make it as personal as you want with your own design. Take a look on our website for some inspiration Go Glass Design. Please contact our expert design team on info@goglass.co.uk and quote Houzz so we can find your dilema.

The Go Glass Team
Alison King
8 years ago
I don't know where your lighting source is but a chandelier above the dining table reflecting on a large mirror on the far wall would brighten up the room and add interest. A large foliage plant on the window wall would also add colour.
PRO
Pat Oliver Interior Design
8 years ago
The house appears to have Art Deco features (paneling on the stairs). What about building boxes that follow the triangular shape created by the stairs. Use glass to do this so the light from the window is not restricted. Build in storage to replace your sideboard and paint it in an eye catching colour. Use the shelves to show off unusual art pieces and coloured glass items, like vases. Put down lights under the stairs to light everything up at night.
163 hrd
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I am with Alison King in thinking much could be done with good ambient light and a mirror. I actually love the sideboard in that space. It is a dining room, after all. Why would you want a seating area instead of tableware storage? Your room is quirky and interesting, just needs accessorising.
Jonathan
8 years ago
Might be a controversial suggestion but I would block in the space under the stairs for storage and echo the panelling seen on other walls.
I think you mainly use the. Dining room at night so make it cozy- I would add spotlights in the floor, a chandelier with a dimmer and perhaps table lamps on a sideboard
minnie101
8 years ago
I've copied this image just to show what it would look like part open and part storage. Where the cupboard is in this pic I would have built an open wine rack.

The room looks quite light to me so not sure if I would change the window. If I were to change the window I'd have it in the corner running floor to ceiling to make it into more of a feature.I think the sideboard just needs dressing with a couple of lamps and a bowl or vase of flowers etc. I also agree with Alison's comments
Ann Ellis
8 years ago
If you notice how the light falls through the window I think a mirror would send more light into the room. The existing picture is too small for the area but a mirror of the same size and shape as the window, set at right angles would 'frame'the area. A table lamp on the sideboard, and either one piece of glass or row of glass objects on the window sill would add your style and give sparkle. I think a chair or stool could be stored on the left hand side, to be used round the house rather than a reading corner where you might hit your head. Textile covered furniture helps with sound as well as looking more comfy.
sblakeley77
8 years ago
I would always rather invest in stunning furniture than spend money on more permanent changes. In my experience you can make any space look great with the right furniture and decor.

Rather than spend money on something structural I would work with the space you have with furniture that works better than the heavy farmhouse style. The nicest furniture in the room is the sideboard so I would build on that. I'd look at something like Gubi Beetle dining chairs to bring in an organic streak. Not cheap but cheaper than building in storage (the next best option) or enlarging the window which won't make much difference - and you can take them with you if you move! You could look at Made.com for a cheaper but complementary table.

Then a decent lampshade - perhaps Tom Dixon Etch - a side lamp on the sideboard and lots of plants and pots to empathise the organic, cosy nature of the room. Finish with some pictures in the wall and you have a lovely, cosy, earthy room that feels like being down Alice's rabbit hole rather than under the stairs.

Good luck.
k11agl
8 years ago
I would enlarge the window to floor length and put some soft seating in. My new lounge (moving next week been told) is the same but worse - the small window is circular so not even that easy to dress!
stevebrown1939
8 years ago
Do you have a downstairs loo?
stevebrown1939
8 years ago
Only one mind you! Sorry didn't mean to post twice.
HELEN DAVISON
8 years ago
I would make it into a seating area that would double up as a single bed, just in case you need that one extra bed.
PRO
L.Stockley
8 years ago
I would enlarge the window with frosted glass but fill the space entirely from about half way up, then keep your sideboard underneath it. If it's a dining room rather than a room that has to double up as a playroom or living room you should keep it used for storing tableware, as someone else said. Then you should introduce a variety of lighting. A chandelier, with large mirrors to echo the light, some floor standing up lighters, perhaps a table lamp on the sideboard. Then the light can be tailored to what you're using the room for and the time of day. This is especially important of you decide not to enlarge the window, in which case I'd use a contemporary stained glass panel to turn the little window into a feature.
strawberry47
7 years ago
Can I suggest moving the sideboard to the long empty wall and position a very large mirror above it. Place an armchair and standard lamp under the stairs and two pendant lights over the dining table.
Ellie
7 years ago
We have an area exact same as this in our dining room.

Some have mentioned putting a sofa in that area.... but surely you would hit your head if you stood up!!

Under stairs dilemma

Tani H-S

Comments (19)

Akiva Projects Ltd

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