The Friday 5 – Design Ideas for That Space Under the Stairs

When initially designing or purchasing a home, you try to look at every possible angle to make sure it will be the perfect fit for your needs. Everything is assessed and every function planned for. You move in, happily putting everything in its proper place, and life is good. But after you live there a while, accumulate more things, and have a chance to actually experience how your home functions, you may start to think “If only we had…..”. Just one more little spot for that function that you’re missing.

We like the way these homeowners solved their problem by carving out a useable space under the stairs!

1. So much function packed into this little wet bar and snack station!  Smart to include the additional shelf space in the wall for more storage.

2. There’s a lot of inspiration for offices under the stairs out there, but they actually managed to fit an office for two in this space!

3. Stylish built-in bookshelves under the stairs make a nice backdrop for the seating area in this loft.

4. Jen at Rambling Renovators created this cute playhouse under the stairs!  Great idea.

5. A cozy little reading nook always seems like a good idea, and why not under the stairs?!

Have you created a unique space under a stairway or in some other unexpected spot in your home?  We’d love to hear about it!

If you’re looking for more creative stairway ideas, we’ve recently started a Pinterest Board for that.  Follow along and see what we’re pinning!

Schneiderman’s Furniture is a family-owned Minnesota furniture retailer with stores in Lakeville, Plymouth, Roseville, Woodbury, Duluth and Rochester.

The Friday 5 – Good idea!

1. Spray paint branches gold for a very easy, low-commitment way to try out the new gold metallic trend, and add some texture and interest to your decor.

2. Here they used an old roller map as a decorative element and to hide the flat screen TV.

3. Apartment Therapy cut small cards out of card stock, put color swatches/floor plans/room dimensions on them, and put them on a ring. Great to keep with you so that you’ll have it when shopping for furniture!

4. Martha Stewart suggests sliding a rubber band over your open paint can, then gently wiping the bottom of the brush against the band each time you dip to keep the rim of the can clean.

5. Great idea to create a command center on the side of a kitchen cabinet!

 

The Friday 5 – summer recipes

1.  This Fruit and Spinach Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette looks so fresh!  Perfect for a hot summer day.

2. ‘Tis the season for grilling and this simple 4-Ingredient Marinade would be the perfect complement for grilled chicken.

 

3.  Lettuce wraps are yummy, and these Chicken Club Lettuce Wraps might just be the perfect summer meal!

 

4. Slow cooker recipes have always seemed to be for fall/winter rather than summer. I’m rethinking that because summers are busy, and it would be great to come home to a meal that’s ready to eat!

 

5.  For some of us, this may be an idea rather than a recipe because we might will take the easy way out by using a box mix for these Brownie Ice Cream Sandwiches.  Think of all of the different flavors of ice cream we could try!  Chocolate Brownie + Ice Cream = Simple Summer Deliciousness

The Friday 5

1. In the DIY category: How to create a terrarium. A great way to add a little life and texture to a space.

2. Amazing the impact three stripes of paint can have! {source}

3. Creative design is all in the details.  Look closely.  See how the console/shelf is actually part of the stairs?  {source}

4. Helpful tips for hanging art using Kraft paper templates. {source}

5. A little color for your Friday – brought to you by our Pinterest Color Board.