What better location for a built-in storage cabinet than under the stairs? A short weekend of work can transform the space which usually goes unused there into many cubic feet of storage space.       

The staircase used in this project was located in the basement of a split-level home and the area underneath it was limited to a triangular storage space of 9 cubic feet. The area under the stairs was surrounded by a framework of studs and the author eliminated one stud (see Fig. A) to make an opening to the storage area.

If your staircase runs full-length between ceiling and floor, a larger cabinet may be constructed, using the same techniques as described here.

If your under-stair area has no stud frame, the first step is to build one. Lay out bottom plates, using 2"-by-4"s, attaching them to concrete with steelcut nails. Attach a corresponding top frame of 2"-by-4"s to ceiling beams, then attach studs of 2"-by-4"s to bottom plates and top frame, toenailing through studs. Allow space between studs for location of door to storage area. If your under-stair area already has a stud frame, as was the case in this project, prepare the frame for paneling. If a stud has to be removed to make room for storage area door, check to be sure that stud is not essential part of house foundation. To remove stud, saw through the middle, separate top and bottom pieces and pry each piece loose. If pipes run along the outside of the stud frame, add furring strips of l"-by-2" solid wood to the frame to protect the pipes, as shown at left.

Cut and fit for size 1/4" plywood panels to outside surfaces of furring strips or stud frame. Leave an opening the width of staircase in back and panel all surfaces around it. Cut and attach additional 1/4" plywood panels to inside surfaces of storage cabinet. The piece on top will be slanted from the edge of the opening along underneath part of stairs.

Doors in this project were mounted by author to storage cabinet 3/4" in from front edge with No. 2800 Stanley metal sliding door tracks. Many types of sliding devices can be obtained at hardware stores, complete with installation instructions. Or, if you wish, you may simply place doors in grooved mounting strips (see chapter titled low-cost luxury kitchen, photo No. 7). Cut two doors from 3/4" plywood to match grain of paneling and insert in tracks or grooves. Chisel doors at desired location to recess finger pulls and attach pulls with screws. If you use sliding door tracks, conceal them by cutting a strip of 3/4"-by-l 1/2" solid wood and attaching across top of cabinet opening flush with front edge.

Fig. A. This under-stairs storage area is limited by split-level design of basement. If your staircase runs from ceiling to floor, storage area can be correspondingly larger.

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