How to Turn a Landing into a Useable Space
Add furniture, storage or a decorative touch and a landing can become so much more than a passageway
Julie Butterworth
7 July 2018
Houzz Contributor and homes, architecture and property journalist. I work on a range of homes websites and edit commercial and editorial digital content at the Royal Institute of British Architects Journal. I have managed subbing departments at magazines Country Homes & Interiors and Ideal Home and web content teams for Time Inc UK’s Homes Network.
Houzz Contributor and homes, architecture and property journalist. I work on a range... More
Release your landing from its corridor function by providing an opportunity for lingering – whether to make use of built-in storage, to rest up in an armchair or just to pause for a moment en route and enjoy a view.
Pair up for a sociable spot
A landing is often a light-filled, open space full of potential. If yours has the room, bring in two chairs and draw them together to create a cosy corner.
Look for upholstery and soft furnishings in shades and patterns that stand out from the surroundings. These pinks and hints of orange are warming and intimate.
Include a reading lamp for book lovers and a side table for the tea drinkers.
A landing is often a light-filled, open space full of potential. If yours has the room, bring in two chairs and draw them together to create a cosy corner.
Look for upholstery and soft furnishings in shades and patterns that stand out from the surroundings. These pinks and hints of orange are warming and intimate.
Include a reading lamp for book lovers and a side table for the tea drinkers.
Work in an office area
Landings with windows can make great working spaces, as long as the route from stairs to rooms is unimpeded.
The designers of this spot removed the wall of a bedroom to open up the landing. They’ve made the most of every inch with a desk and tall storage, and used a rug to signal a change in function.
The adjustable wall-hung task lamp is a handy addition, as there’s no need to channel any cabling into the plaster. Matching the wooden Venetian blind to the desktop brings the whole design together.
Find interior designers in your area
Landings with windows can make great working spaces, as long as the route from stairs to rooms is unimpeded.
The designers of this spot removed the wall of a bedroom to open up the landing. They’ve made the most of every inch with a desk and tall storage, and used a rug to signal a change in function.
The adjustable wall-hung task lamp is a handy addition, as there’s no need to channel any cabling into the plaster. Matching the wooden Venetian blind to the desktop brings the whole design together.
Find interior designers in your area
Fashion a reading nook
Few of us have space for a dedicated reading room, but we may be able to use the walls on a landing for shelves or bookcases.
The designers of this impressive space have raised the level with an oak platform and step, providing additional underfloor storage via a trap door.
Fitted shelving lines the window and adjacent walls; on the stairwell side, the shelves have been kept open to maximise light flow.
Consider a mattress and floor cushions as a laid-back alternative to traditional seating in a nook like this.
Few of us have space for a dedicated reading room, but we may be able to use the walls on a landing for shelves or bookcases.
The designers of this impressive space have raised the level with an oak platform and step, providing additional underfloor storage via a trap door.
Fitted shelving lines the window and adjacent walls; on the stairwell side, the shelves have been kept open to maximise light flow.
Consider a mattress and floor cushions as a laid-back alternative to traditional seating in a nook like this.
Build in a cupboard
Free up space in other areas of the home by building a utility cupboard on the landing. Measure the space carefully and design areas to fit laundry baskets, the ironing board, a vacuum cleaner and other essentials.
If you don’t have the space for a cupboard, you might still be able to tuck in some storage. Consider a bench with an under-seat compartment or an old-fashioned blanket box.
Free up space in other areas of the home by building a utility cupboard on the landing. Measure the space carefully and design areas to fit laundry baskets, the ironing board, a vacuum cleaner and other essentials.
If you don’t have the space for a cupboard, you might still be able to tuck in some storage. Consider a bench with an under-seat compartment or an old-fashioned blanket box.
Go wall to wall
If you have a window on your landing, maximise the space by building a bench seat beneath it. This one is ideal for looking out at the view, and even has wall lamps either side to aid reading.
If you have young children at home, ensure the window can’t be unlocked and the glass is reinforced.
Try to incorporate storage within the seat, as it’s a great place to stow away bed linen and spare duvets.
If you have a window on your landing, maximise the space by building a bench seat beneath it. This one is ideal for looking out at the view, and even has wall lamps either side to aid reading.
If you have young children at home, ensure the window can’t be unlocked and the glass is reinforced.
Try to incorporate storage within the seat, as it’s a great place to stow away bed linen and spare duvets.
Expand your hallway
The area by the front door can get cluttered up with all manner of outdoor paraphernalia. If you’ve run out of space, how about installing another bench and set of coat hooks at the top of the stairs?
You could reserve this spot for coats and shoes you wear less often, and use the bench as a perch to pause and take stock before heading down into the bustle of leaving for work or preparing for the school run.
The area by the front door can get cluttered up with all manner of outdoor paraphernalia. If you’ve run out of space, how about installing another bench and set of coat hooks at the top of the stairs?
You could reserve this spot for coats and shoes you wear less often, and use the bench as a perch to pause and take stock before heading down into the bustle of leaving for work or preparing for the school run.
Curate a gallery
Create a wall or two full of memories and favourite things to make the journey up and down the stairs an interesting and pleasant one.
Pick a colour scheme for the frames and mounts and stick to it for a coordinated feel. On this landing, a mix of artwork, drawings and photographs has been unified by black frames.
Create a wall or two full of memories and favourite things to make the journey up and down the stairs an interesting and pleasant one.
Pick a colour scheme for the frames and mounts and stick to it for a coordinated feel. On this landing, a mix of artwork, drawings and photographs has been unified by black frames.
Find this budget-friendly set and more picture frames in the Houzz Shop
Tell us…
How have you transformed your own landing? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
Tell us…
How have you transformed your own landing? Share your ideas in the Comments section.
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Gallery is what most of us can manage without stuff becoming a hazard! One of our bedrooms is the size of some of these landings...
Lovely photos and beautiful homes here... Any spare space can be optimised... Then again, can be left to add spaciousness.... should any of us have that luxury.
Lovely ideas. But I have to agree with nnchum.. most of us don't have the luxury of such beautiful spaces. Even just a showbox or washing basket on our landing creates a tripping hazzard!