Storage

Every house needs storage space. Smart designs/layouts work hard to be efficient and economical with space- whether it is living space or storage space or circulation (ie. hallways, stairs) space. The most space-saving place to put stairs to an upper or lower level is directly under another set of stairs. But we got to make a deep (and progressively shorter) storage closet under the stairs at The New House Next Door, since it is built on a short basement, or crawlspace, and there are no basement stairs. (click to go to post about choosing a short crawlspace)

The walls under the stair were framed after the stair was installed. The flooring was installed only where the finished closet space would be. (below 36" in height, or so, was deemed not usable, and was walled off). The sheet-rockers and tapers returned to finish this area, and next time the painters are around, they will paint it.

Closet Under Stair

 In other storage news, the kitchen cabinets were delivered today. Kitchens in today's homes are expected to work really hard for us. We want good lighting- both natural and artificial, adequate work areas, the right tools within the right distance/location, and many different types of storage.

Boxes of Cabinetry