Fitted Wardrobes Under Stairs: Smart Design Rules, Dimensions, and Layout Tips
The understairs area is rarely simple. It always has its own unique geometry, slopes and limitations, which make standard solutions either look random or use only part of the available space. That is why fitted understairs wardrobes is increasingly seen not as an add-on, but as an integral part of home design.
In practice, understairs storage only works well when it’s designed for a specific space. Ready-made modules don’t take into account the actual shape of the stairs, whereas a bespoke approach allows the design to be adapted to every angle and height level. As a result, these cabinets can be not only convenient but also visually balanced, without feeling like a compromise.
So today, we will discuss the basic logic of design: from choosing the type of wardrobes and interior layout to dimensions, lighting, and seamless integration.
Space Under the Stairs: What Makes It Difficult to Plan
This area almost never has clear and repeatable parameters. Even in houses with similar layouts, its shape varies due to the angle of the staircase, uneven walls or floors, the height of the steps and the depth of the structure. As a result, we have not a flat niche, but an area with variable height, broken lines and limited access, which complicates any standard layout.
Another factor is the uneven distribution of usable volume. Part of the space under the stairs looks accessible, but in fact, it is inconvenient for everyday use. This is where a typical mistake occurs: the area is formally filled, but storage works only partially. Because of this, ready-made solutions often either leave “dead” areas or create deep, inconvenient sections.
That is why a built-in approach in this area gives the best results. When the design adapts to the actual geometry rather than adjusting the space to a conditional standard, every level of height and depth begins to work. In the case of staircase planning, it’s not about the number of shelves, but about working precisely with a form that isn’t visible at first glance but determines ease of use.
Ready-Made and Customised Solutions: The Practical Difference
The main distinction is that shop-bought options are created for average parameters, while made-to-measure wardrobes are designed for a specific space — with all its restrictions and nuances.
As an example: most ready-made cabinets have a standard depth of 450–600 mm and a fixed section height. In reality, these parameters rarely match the actual geometry of the staircase, and we simply lose a large part of the space that could be used for storage.
The difference is particularly noticeable in use. Urban Wardrobes customers have repeatedly noted that when switching from ready-made modules to built-in understairs storage, space utilisation efficiency increases by an average of 25–35%, even without increasing the overall dimensions. It’s not about more cabinets, but about fewer “empty” areas. So, we have that individual solutions work more stable than any store-bought equivalents.
The Main Types of Under-Stair Cupboards and When Each Option Works Best
Such constructions can never be reduced to a single universal solution. The type of design directly depends on the shape of the stairs, the available depth, the desired finish, and how the storage is to be used. In practice, most solutions can be divided into several basic types, each of which solves its own set of problems.
Closed Wardrobes With Fronts
This is one of the most common options for residential buildings. They look like a solid surface and visually “bring together” the space into a single line. Most often, this format is chosen for corridors and halls, where it’s important not to overload the interior.
Built-in under-stair storage typically allows for the utilisation of up to 70–80% of the available space. The remaining volume is usually occupied by areas with minimal height, which are physically inconvenient to use or are limited to storing items that are required once or twice a year.
Combined Solutions With Multiple Functions
When closets are used more actively, different types of storage are often combined in one solution. This makes it possible to work with height and depth more flexibly, without being limited to one scenario.
Most often, tailor-made designs combine:
- Areas with rails for outerwear;
- Shelves for folded clothes or seasonal items;
- Pull-out drawers and deep shelves for household items;
- Drawers, pedestals or mesh shelves for shoes, boxes or appliances;
- Versatile compartments with zoning for mixed storage;
- Open shelves for decor, books and accent pieces.
This approach works well in houses where the space below the stairs varies in height along its entire length, and helps to avoid non-functional areas.
Pull-Out, Sliding and Sectional Systems
Pull-out elements are often used for deep or low areas. They provide access to the depths without the need to bend over or “dive” inside the wardrobe. According to observations by Urban Wardrobes craftsmen, such systems increase ease of use by approximately 30-40% compared to conventional shelves in a similar space.
To summarise the difference between the main types, it’s handy to look at them in a comparative format.
| Cabinet type | Best suited for | The main advantage |
| Closed facades | Corridors, halls, where it’s necessary to minimise interference with the interior | Visual purity of space |
| Combined solutions | Active daily use, even if the stairs are located in the living room | Flexibility of functions, decorative elements |
| Pull-out systems | Deep or low zones, narrow spaces | Convenient access |
It’s the combination of various types of filling that gives the best result. Bespoke under-stair storage is rarely limited to one design — it adapts to the space so that each area works logically, not formally.
Dimensions and Proportions: How Not to Lose Useful Volume
Planning always starts with numbers. They determine whether storage will be convenient to use, rather than simply filling space visually. Even slight deviations in depth or height can render part of the cabinet non-functional, so proportions are just as important here as the design itself.
- Depth is one of the key parameters. For areas with active access, a depth of about 450 mm is considered the minimum comfortable. Smaller values often result in items being placed “close together” or blocking access to each other. Meanwhile, in deeper areas of the understairs, it’s advisable to plan sections with other usage patterns, where access isn’t needed on a daily basis.
- Heights under stairs vary gradually, and this is often overlooked. Low areas aren’t suitable for storing large items, but they work well for pull-out elements or horizontal sections. Practice shows that the correct distribution of areas by height makes it possible to use an additional 15–20% of space without increasing the overall dimensions of the structure.
To show how this works in reality, it makes sense to divide the space under the stairs into conditional zones.
| Area under the stairs | Approximate height | Most appropriate use |
| Low zone | up to 900 mm | Pull-out sections, storage for rarely used items |
| Middle zone | 900-1400 mm | Open or closed shelves for everyday items, lockers with doors, convenient universal compartments for bags, shoes and other necessary things. |
| High zone | over 1400 mm | Areas for hangers, vertical compartments, spacious deep sections for storing boxes and household items |
Special attention is always paid to common mistakes. Among the most frequent ones are: uniform depth along the entire length, ignoring variable height, illogical layout, and attempting to make all sections universal. It’s precisely the different logic of using areas that allows fitted wardrobes under the stairs to remain convenient in everyday use, and not just on paper.
Interior Space Planning: Comfort in the Details
When it comes to custom understairs storage, the interior layout determines not only convenience but also how this space is perceived in the interior. A well-designed system doesn’t look cluttered and isn’t just a ‘storage space’ — it becomes part of the overall style of the home.
The best solutions in practice are those where closed areas are combined with open ones. This balance enables to hide everything unnecessary and leave the space ‘alive’ without the feeling of a blank wall. This works well if the stairs are located in the living room or dining area, where accent details will only emphasise the overall atmosphere.
So, what can be combined to make it look comfortable and logical:
- Closed compartments for items that should not be visible.
- Open shelves for books, photographs, decorations or plants.
- Deeper sections for bulky or seasonal items.
- Compact areas for small things that are convenient to have on hand.
The logic of daily access plays a special role. Things that are used frequently are placed at arm’s reach, without the need to bend down or reach deep into the cupboard. Items that are used less often are logically “pushed” further away or lower down. This approach reduces chaos and makes storage intuitive, even without habit.
Open compartments create visual accents, make the massive structure easier to perceive, and integrate the under-stairs cupboards into the interior without creating a sharp contrast. It’s these details that often make a space cosier and more well-thought-out, even if the overall structure is quite spacious.
The custom-made approach permits the internal logic to be adjusted to real life, rather than imposing a universal scheme.
Lighting and Extra Features: Little Things That Change the Daily Experience
The area under stairs often has limited natural light. That is why lighting here plays a practical rather than decorative role. Moreover, without light, even well-designed storage quickly becomes inconvenient.
Most often, fitted wardrobes use integrated solutions that don’t attract attention but significantly simplify use:
- Soft built-in lighting inside the sections, which allows you to see the contents even in deep areas;
- Touch-sensitive or automatic systems that turn on when the fronts are opened;
- Local lighting of open shelves for decoration, which creates visual accents.
In addition to lighting, other functional elements are increasingly being added. These can be secret compartments for small items, additional hooks and holders for keys, bags, or hidden sockets for technical devices. Such solutions are not conspicuous, but they significantly affect the sense of order.
So, we can conclude that it’s the addition of lighting and small functional details that makes customised under-stair cupboards truly convenient.
How Bespoke Under-Stair Storage Cost Is Formed
In such designs, the price is almost never a fixed value. The space is too individual to be calculated “by template”. At the same time, there is still a basic guideline: the starting cost of an individual solution usually starts at £2,000. Further, the amount varies depending on the specific parameters and decisions that are incorporated into the project.
The reason why the cost “floats” is simple — no two staircases are the same. Even with a similar area, differences in depth, height, or accessibility can significantly affect the scope of work and the complexity of the structure. That is why the price is not based on a single factor, but on a combination of several decisions.
To make this clear without unnecessary theory, below are the key factors that actually affect the final budget.
| What affects the cost | How it affects the cost | What this means in practice |
| Space geometry | The complexity of manufacturing is increasing | More non-standard elements and customisation, which can push the price up by 20% |
| Total volume | Increases the number of materials | All space is counted, even hidden areas |
| Filling and zoning | Adds structural complexity | Sections, pull-out elements, dividers — all of these are counted separately and can affect the cost by 10% to 20% |
| Materials | Determine the base level of the product | The body, facades, edges, internal surfaces — the appropriate material is selected for each element, and this can affect the price by 20-40%. |
| Type of facades | Affects the level of finishing | Smooth, integrated or combined solutions can change the final budget by 5-15%. |
| Lighting and details | This greatly simplifies usage | Additional elements always affect the price, but aren’t a must |
| Complexity of installation | Determines the amount of manual work | Limited access, adjustment to uneven floors and walls — there are many factors that affect installation, which in turn can change the budget of construction |
These percentages are not added together, but serve only as a guideline and help to understand which decisions have the greatest impact on the estimate for a particular project. Even with the same starting cost, the result may differ: in some cases, materials play a role, in others — geometry or internal filling. This is how the bespoke approach works, when the cost is based on the actual amount of work and convenience in daily use, rather than on the formal “type” of cabinet.
In conclusion to this topic
The understairs space quickly reveals the difference between a well-thought-out solution and a random one. It’s not individual elements that matter here, but their combination: proportions, internal logic, light and details that are not noticeable at first glance but affect comfort on a daily basis.
The experience of the Urban Wardrobes team proves that it’s the customised approach that makes this area a full-fledged part of the interior, rather than a compromise storage space. And it’s not about style, but about controlling the space.
FAQ
If the staircase is very complex, with an irregular shape or sharp angles, is it possible to put a wardrobe there?
Yes, this is real, and it’s in such cases that tailor-made solutions are needed. The broken shape of the staircase isn’t a problem in itself; the difficulty arises only when you try to fit ready-made modules to it. With individual design, the structure adapts to the actual geometry, so even non-standard angles and height differences can be used functionally rather than masked.
Is it possible to make an open cabinet under the stairs?
In many cases, this is even a good idea. Open cupboards or shelves under the stairs visually make the space lighter. They are often used for books, decorations, plants or things that are nice to keep in sight. But an even better option is to combine open elements with closed sections. This way, storage remains practical, and the space looks lively and well-balanced.
How can I tell if there is enough space under the stairs for a wardrobe?
The simplest guideline isn’t the overall size, but the shape of the space. It’s important to see where the normal height is, how deep it’s possible to go inside, and whether it will be convenient to use this area on a daily basis. Even a compact space can work well if shelves, pull-out elements or open sections are logically placed there. If access is difficult or most of the space is “dead”, the solution should be considered particularly carefully.
Will it be possible to redesign the contents of such closets over time?
In most cases, yes. If the system is designed logically from the outset, the contents can be adapted: shelves can be changed, other sections can be added, or the purpose of individual areas can be rethought. The least flexible solutions are usually those where everything is made “tightly” without any reserve. That is why it’s important to think not only about today’s needs at the planning stage.
I want to order built-in under stair storage — how long does it actually take?
The process usually takes up to 6 weeks and consists of several stages: measurements, project approval, manufacturing and installation. It’s not a quick “tomorrow” solution, but this time allows us to avoid mistakes and rework. As a result, the system works as intended right away, without the need for any additional work after installation.
