Unique Storage Idea

[bhornberger]

Found this today surfing my usual sites. Very interesting storage. I don't know how they overcome sag of the treads, but very neat idea.

http://desiretoinspire.blogspot.com/2007/04/stairs-and-storage.html

The lights along the stairs are a neat idea as well.

http://www.canadianhomeworkshop.com/...d/risers.shtml - This site has some step by step (har har) on how to do this.

[BigguyZ]

That's pretty slick. If I ever had to do a project like that myself, I think I would seriously consider that (assuming you can make it stable enough).

[jseklund]

I would think you could always overcome the sag issue by splitting it into two drawers with one long face? Then the center would sit between the drawers, but it would look like a normal stair still and the two drawers would just roll out together. However, you obviously wouldn't get the same size storage as if you had one big drawer. Or is there a problem with this I haven't thought of?

Maybe metal supports in the center or something? I don't know how I feel about the idea- seems good, but I don't know if I'd do it.

[eezlock]

unique storage idea...

Definately that for sure...if you use some 1" or 1&1/4" red oak for the treads
it will probably never buckle down or break anyway, or get a piece of 1/4" steel plate
cut to the proper size and and fasten the stair tread to that and install it as normal
a lot stronger for sure.

[HarmsWay]

thats a great idea for storage space. I can see a major lawsuit if someone trips over an open drawer......or at least some big medical bills.

Exactly. I'm all for storage in wasted spaces but that just seems like an accident waiting to happen. I also couldn't see it meeting building codes. Although I'm not sure how you'd word the code to prevent something like that.

Bob

[jessrice]

When i was growing up, a house my dad lived in had similar storage in the bottom three steps, but each step was hinged, and lifted up, the compartments getting progressively deeper each step.

I think that there was a compartment on each side of the middle stringer, but that was 30 years ago, like when i was 5, so i don't recall for sure.

I know it was scary in them, I seem to recall spiders

Probably would not meet code today because of the possibility of catching the lip, or stepping into an open one.

Jesse

[LarryG]

I first saw this idea implemented in the companionway ladders of boats, in which every cubic inch of storage is precious. Probably more trouble and expense than it's worth in most houses, though (very small vacation homes or guest houses might be exceptions). Makes for a good conversation piece, though.

Another, easier way to make use of this space is to use a hinged tread, as Jesse describes. I've seen that done in boats, too.

[HarmsWay]

The hinged tread lid makes more sense and can be made safe as well by arranging it so the lid must be held open.