My husband and I bought a house in a new development 3 yrs ago with a 2 car garage.
by
Karlean M
+15
There is a huge amount of space under the stairwell behind the garage wall. Has anyone made a closet for storage out of this area and if so, how did it turn out?
Thank you in advance for your answer.
Thank you in advance for your answer.
18 answers
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I used mine for storage of Christmas items. Smallest items in first, to the back, then the larger toward the front. I didn't finish it though, as I found it more useful as storage, freeing up other indoor space.
James A
on Sep 14, 2011
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I do not have a garage and my basement workshop is not heated full time ( I use portable propane heaters when I work in there during the winter) The small space under our main stairs I converted into a storage area...I keep freeze sensitive items in there like paint and drywall compound...handy, warm and out of the way.
KMS Woodworks
on Sep 14, 2011
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I have a storage closet under the staircase in my home and I use it as a closet to hand jackets as well as storage for holiday decorations. It works out pretty fine for me.
Yamini LEED AP at Urbanmotifs
on Sep 14, 2011
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We had the stairway to the basement on the other side of our garage wall. The ceiling was really high going down the stairs. We had our contractor make the ceiling going downstairs slanted and took that space and made an opening to a nice bit of storage space in the garage.
Pat N
on Sep 14, 2011
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I suggest going for it. Compared to many other things, it should be a rather simple and inexpensive process. You will thank yourself for the extra storage space.
Dan's of Central Florida, Inc.
on Sep 14, 2011
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I'm in the middle of doing that now and have posted photos. There already was a small closet at the highest point. I cut out the left wall to annex more space that we will use to store table extensions and folding chairs that aren't used very often. ------- This project led to others: adding steplights, finding electrical wiring problems, tracking down a musty smell, adding lighting, etc. See my posts for lessons learned. Good luck
KL K
on Sep 14, 2011
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@ Dan, I also heard that this space will increase our homes value too. :)
Karlean M
on Sep 14, 2011
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I imagine that it would. Not sure by how much, but I'm pretty sure it is greater than the cost to convert it into a closet. :)
Dan's of Central Florida, Inc.
on Sep 14, 2011
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If you are planning to enclose the area, you may want to post some pictures and ask some of the experts here about ventilation of the closet, etc so that items stored do not mildew. Even my closet under the staircase inside my home does not seem to get enough air circulation and I make sure to leave the door open every once and awhile for a day or two to get some "fresh" air in there.
Kevin M. Veler, Law Office of
on Sep 14, 2011
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@Kevin: Ventilation of closet? Something I didn't think about. Anyone have a solution for air circulation other than having to leave the door open?
KL K
on Sep 14, 2011
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@ Kevin I would think that the space under the door will suffice.
Karlean M
on Sep 14, 2011
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Karlean, I thought so too but I can tell you from experience at my own house it is not sufficient as we rarely use that closet (which is inside the house and has conditioned air although no vent in that room) other than dead storage. I would expect it to be worse in a non-conditioned area. But could just be my concern.
Kevin M. Veler, Law Office of
on Sep 14, 2011
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When I annexed the space under the stairs to our small hall closet, there was a very musty smell under there. I traced it to the cutouts around plumbing coming up from the crawlspace, which I just spent two days sealing. I posted pics under my account. I'm not noticing any smell now. ------- If stagnant air becomes a problem, installing an HVAC return air grill without a filter in the wall (or if not possible, the closet door) would provide some air exchange.
KL K
on Sep 14, 2011
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I have never heard of having to ventilate a closet...anymore than having to ventilate a linen cabinet...or an armoire. Maybe it makes a difference what the contents are.
Hewitt Remodeling Services LLC
on Sep 14, 2011
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Semi simple job and well worth the effort. No sense in having wasted space. Any storage is good/valueable
Terry Haas
on Sep 14, 2011
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made lfrom cedar and poplar,,,,pre measured to make panels,,,then got the homeowner to cut cardboard,to fit ,,so she could see where it applies ,,,,,make panels to size of the said cardboard and glue and staple ,,fun times made shoebox like cabinet with key drawer and special drawer for leashes ...anyways ,ibuilt as asmall unit and set in once the stair closet was ,,,almost as a wainscot,,,instead of a cigar cellar,,,carried the hardwood into ,,,and actually cut door in half to fit ,,never saw the media installed ,,but there was a spot for with access ,,and venting
Wally Daly ,,Mastercarpenter,artist
on Sep 14, 2011
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@Wally: sounds interesting ... do you have any pictures?
KL K
on Sep 14, 2011
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Louvered doors are another easy alternative for venting.
KMS Woodworks
on Sep 15, 2011
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