6 Important Considerations For Sofas Under The Stairs

Sofas under the stairs – While it’s true that most staircases are found in a hallway, right by the front door, stairs in the living room aren’t totally unheard of. If anything, they offer a strikingly contemporary feel to a house, offering an open plan design that exudes sophistication.

For those of you who have stairs in your living space, you may find yourself wondering what to do with that pesky space underneath the steps. There are plenty of ways to make use of that space but most people lean towards utilising the gap by filling it with a sofa.

Like most things, this topic has multiple factors to consider before you make a definitive choice. Join us as we look at some of the pros and cons of an under the stairs sofa placement.

Pros

First of all, we will delve into some of the great benefits of having a sofa under the stairs.

Saving Space

Sofas under the stairs are beneficial because, simply put, if you want to save space in your home, this method could be for you. Why place your new sofa in the middle of your lounge when you could tuck it neatly under the stairs, saving up that precious floor space?

Sofas tend to take up quite a lot of room so, if your home has smaller rooms, then slotting your sofas under the stairs is a perfectly practical solution to ensure you have enough space for other furniture and decor. You may find that other sofa placements overbear the entire space that you have to work with.

Functionality

When considering sofas under the stairs, you may think that the spot under the stairs would be reserved for a two-seater but, in fact, depending on how much space you have, you may be able to fit in something larger so you have plenty of seating space for the whole family.

If there’s room, consider placing a small corner sofa in the gap beneath your stairs. A corner sofa with a chaise end will guarantee that you’re always as comfy as can be and certifies that you have room for everyone to sit down comfortably.

Additionally, if you have guests staying over, placing a sofa bed under the stairs is a fantastic way of utilising your space for multiple functions. Sofa beds are also great for those of you who are partial to having a nap in the lounge – just make sure you keep plenty of cushions and blankets handy!

Style

When it comes to sofas under the stairs, regardless of whether you’re a fan of faux leather sofas, velvet sofas, recliner sofas, corner sofas, or anything in between, placing your fabulous sofa under the stairs is sure to add a stylish flair to your living space.

It’s only ever so often that you see someone with stairs in their living room, so regardless of your sofa’s design or material, you can be certain that it will become a focal point in your home.

Cons

On the flip side, let’s take a look at why a sofa under the staircase may not be an ideal option for every household.

Minimum Space

Unfortunately, when placing sofas under the stairs, while you’re maximising the available space in the rest of the room, ultimately you are left with minimum space for your couch.

It may not be a huge deal to some people, if they can fit the sofa in that space then they’re more than content. However, for others, the small gap, reaching from the lowest point of the steps to the wall, coupled with the slope of the staircase, may leave them feeling a little bit cramped and claustrophobic.

Finding A Sofa To Fit

With sofas under the stairs, as we’re all aware, there isn’t likely to be much space to play with to fill this gap, so you may be hard-pressed to find a sofa that is the correct size, let alone one that meets all of your other requirements.

It can be a relatively stressful process if you’re struggling to find something that ticks all of your boxes, so you may opt to just find your ideal sofa and find another place for it within your lounge.

General Annoyances

Also with sofas under the stairs, regardless of the generally cramped nature of a sofa under the stairs, there are some other general annoyances you may want to take into consideration.

For example, there’s the obvious notion that you may find yourself banging your head quite often, due to the sloped angle of the staircase. Furthermore, the sound of people walking up and down the stairs right above your head may be too much for you to handle.

Also with sofas under the stairs, you may find that some of the dust and dirt that gathers on your steps will inevitably drop down onto your sofa from time to time, but that’s not something that very little maintenance can’t handle.

Additional Ideas For The Space Under The Stairs

If you’re still on the fence or have simply decided against sofas under the stairs, here are some great tips for other ways to make the most out of that space.

Accent Chairs

While you might find it difficult to seek out a settee small enough for this space, you’re far more likely to find an amazing accent chair that will fit right in.

Whether you go for an armchair, a swivel chair, or a cocktail chair, you can easily create your own personalised position in the living room. With the addition of a well-suited lamp, you’ll have yourself a dreamy little reading nook to die for.

More Space For Decor

Pick out a nice table and place trinkets, framed photos, or a clock along the length of it, to add a personal feel to your lounge. Make sure that the table takes up most of the length of the gap to ensure you’re making the most out of the space.

Mini-Bar

If you fancy something a little bit different, consider purchasing a serving trolley and placing your selection of spirits or wines on it. This is an effective and creative way of filling up your excess space while leaving extra room in your kitchen.

Conclusion

Sofas under the stairs can be a great approach for those who don’t mind a challenge, while others might find it to be more stressful than it’s worth.

It can truly make a statement and create an incredibly inviting warmth in your lounge. However, if it’s not the right choice for you, there are plenty of other terrific ways to optimise your space, so you don’t have any irritating gaps to fill.