Making use of the space under beds and stairs

The space under a bed and under a staircase can hold a surprising amount, and it often goes unused. It works well for items you need less often, such as off-season clothing, spare linens, gift wrap or extra toiletries. The catch is that these spaces are dark, can be damp, and sit beside furniture or walkways that need to stay clear. A little planning keeps them useful and safe.

Before filling any hidden space, decide what is allowed to go there, because several everyday items are unsafe to keep in enclosed spaces.

Measure before buying containers

Measure the gap between the floor and the underside of the bed frame or base, and the depth and width you can use without reaching past the bed legs. Many bed frames leave a gap that is lower than people expect, and a container that is too tall will not slide under the frame at all, or will catch on the frame when it is pulled out. Measure at the front edge as well as the back, because some frames slope or have supports that narrow the gap.

Allow a little room for the container to slide in and out. Half an inch to an inch of clearance at the top and sides makes it easier to pull the container out with one hand, and it avoids catching the lid on the bed slats. If the gap is very low, flat containers with lids will hold more than a tall box that cannot be reached without moving the bed. Under-stair spaces often have a sloping ceiling, so measure the usable height at several points, not just at the entrance.

Choose containers that handle damp and dust

Under beds can be damp, especially on ground floors and in rooms with poor airflow. Lidded containers with a close fit keep out dust and limit the moisture that reaches what is inside. Soft fabric bags work well for clothing and linens because they flex to fit odd spaces, but they should be lifted off a floor that feels cold or damp. Rigid plastic containers protect heavy items and resist crushing, and clear ones show the contents without opening.

Avoid cardboard boxes under beds or in under-stair spaces. Cardboard absorbs moisture, can soften, and may attract pests. If you already use cardboard, move the contents into lidded plastic or fabric. Choose containers with wheels when the item is heavy, since a box that rolls out is far easier to reach than one that must be lifted over a bed frame. Keep each container small enough that one person can move it without strain.

Use stair space for shallow storage

The space under a staircase often suits drawers, shallow cabinets or cubbies built to follow the slope of the stairs. If the space is already enclosed, a set of pull-out drawers with full-extension slides is easier to use than fixed shelves at the back, because nothing has to be reached into blind. Use the lower drawers for heavier items and the upper, shallower drawers for lighter ones. Label each drawer so the contents can be identified from the outside.

Any work on a staircase or the structure around it should be checked before you start. Stairs are part of an escape route, so nothing should be stored on the treads or landings, and any new fastening into the framing should be assessed by a qualified installer or builder. Drawers also need enough room to open without blocking a walkway. A drawer that sticks halfway out is a trip hazard, so test each one fully before loading it.

Keep access easy and the path clear

Store the items you need least often in the deepest or hardest-to-reach parts of a hidden space, and keep items you use monthly closer to the opening. If a container must be lifted over sleeping space or moved past a bed frame every week, the storage is not working. Keep the area in front of each container free so it can be pulled out completely. Under a bed, leave room for the bed to be moved for vacuuming and for the floor behind it to stay visible.

Think about how the space changes with the seasons. Off-season clothing moves in and out at each change of season, so plan the swap rather than letting containers pile up: when the weather turns, pack away the clothes you are finished with and bring out the ones you need next. Set a reminder to look through the containers once or twice a year. Remove anything that has not been opened since the last check, and pass along items that are no longer needed rather than letting containers grow into a second closet.

Decide what should stay out

Some items do not belong in enclosed, hidden spaces. Gasoline and propane cylinders belong outdoors, never inside the home or an attached garage. Aerosol cans are pressurized and many contain flammable propellants, so they can burst when heated. Keep them in a cool, ventilated spot, not in an enclosed space near a water heater, radiator or direct sun. Paint thinner should stay sealed, away from heat sources and in a ventilated place. Under-stair areas are often close to a water heater, boiler or electrical panel, so check what is nearby before storing anything there, and keep the area in front of an electrical panel or water heater under the stairs clear for access. Chemicals should stay in their original containers with labels intact, and out of reach of children.

Food and medicine are poor choices for hidden space. Heat, damp and pests can spoil food, and medicines can lose effectiveness in high heat. Important papers and electronics face the same risks from moisture. Avoid storing heavy or breakable items above sleeping areas, and do not use the space under a bed for anything a child could climb into or pull over. The space is useful only when its contents are safe to leave there for months at a time.