Not The Closet, Not The Garage: The Genius Forgotten Space You Can Use For Shoe Storage

When you get home after a long day, you likely can't wait to kick off your shoes. Sometimes, that means leaving your shoes right by the front door or in the garage. Perhaps you have a small entryway that feels crowded by a shoe rack. Maybe you don't have a coat closet. Or maybe you're sick of tripping over shoes every time you go out to the garage. Whatever the case, you've likely struggled with figuring out a practical solution for how to keep your footwear neatly organized and out of sight. However, if you happen to live in a multistory home and your front door opens up to a staircase, you could utilize this often overlooked space to tidy up your shoes. There are several ways to turn unused space under your stairs into storage, from pull-out drawers to a hidden cupboard. You could also use hinges to create stair treads that lift up to reveal a storage area.

The hinged or lift-up staircase involves using two of the bottom steps of your staircase as a "lid" for a hidden compartment. It requires lifting the tread of the second-to-last stair to reveal the small compartment beneath the staircase. This overlooked spot in your home is a perfect hidden storage option for shoes. You could choose to DIY your own version of this storage solution, or even seek out professional services that can install the storage system for you; professional installation can cost upwards of $500. If you wish to save money and tackle the project yourself, just know it'll take some time and DIY experience..

Like other under-the-stairs storage systems, this solution is all about optimizing nooks and crannies. Using the dead space beneath your stairs can help eradicate shoe clutter piling up by the door, and it may eliminate the need for any bulky shelving that might throw off the flow of the entry. And while other under-the-stairs systems rely on a spandrel, the triangular space beneath the stairs, to add a door or drawers for storage, this system can be used even on stairways flanked by walls on either side.

This idea is a clever way to repurpose unused under-stairs space, but there are some caveats. For starters, this project isn't necessarily a beginner-friendly endeavor. While it's possible for a skilled homeowner to tackle this on their own, it may be better to leave it to a professional. Proper space requirements, stair tread alignment, structural integrity, understanding of building codes, and use of quality materials are a must to ensure the stairs not only function for storage but remain safe to use. 

It's also important to consider that while this under-the-stairs storage sure keeps things tidy, using it requires a bit more effort than, say, a shoe rack. Instead of just slipping your shoes off and going about your business, you will have to lift up the stairs, set the shoes down in the compartment, and close the stairs back up. If you'd prefer to keep your everyday shoes out for easy access, the area under the stairs still could be a solid spot for seasonal footwear or other shoes you don't wear on a regular basis.