Given the condition of today’s housing market, if you are like many homeowners, you may find yourself living in a much smaller space than you’d like. Often, homeowners and homebuyers must make sacrifices and prioritize the things they really want for their homes, and often, living close to cities, schools and other draws means you have no choice other than to sacrifice square footage.
Particularly savvy homeowners, however, are increasingly finding new ways to inject personal style and flair into their abodes, regardless of their size, and one space families often overlook when doing so is the staircase landing. Depending on the size and design of your home, you may only have a few feet of usable space to fill in your landing, or you may have an entire nook or corner you can repurpose and reutilize. When you have minimal space to spare, you want to make the most out of every possible corner, and utilizing the following tips may help you do exactly that. When it comes to maximizing every usable inch of your staircase landing, consider:
Creating a cozy reading corner
If space permits, consider adding or improving an existing bench in your landing area you can use to sit back, kick your feet up and get engrossed in a good book. Match the fabric used for the bench cushions or pillows with your home’s existing décor to create a fashionable, functional space for the whole family to enjoy.
Keep small spaces simple
If your staircase landing isn’t large enough to create a cozy reading corner, that doesn’t mean you can’t do your part to make it a focal point of your home. You may be wise, however, to exercise restraint in doing so, and just add one or two draws or conversation pieces to the space. Consider hanging a prized piece of art, or a mirror, which can make your home appear larger. Decorative sconces or vases, too, are a terrific way to add some flair to an otherwise underutilized stair area.
Establishing more storage space
Maybe you don’t have enough room to create an entire new usable area on your steps, but if you have even a few feet to spare, you may be able to add a bookshelf or other form of shelving, which can free up usable space elsewhere. Have kids who constantly leave toys, cars and books on the stairs? Consider adding shelving or storage on your landing for your kids, so that they can ditch their goods in a designated space that won’t lead to fights, yelps or parental broken bones.
If you list yourself among those who live in small spaces, you’re probably all about getting the most out of every square foot. Looking at your staircase landing with fresh eyes can help you find new ways to do so, and you just may create your new favorite spot in your home in the process.