The Mitten Real Estate Team

Here are six ideas to make smart use of the space under your stairs. They range from the relatively easy, which any regular reader of this magazine can likely manage, to more complex projects that might require the assistance of a contractor, plumber or electrician. By-laws vary across the country, so you’ll want to call your municipal Building and Planning Department to find out whether a permit is required for the type of project you plan to undertake. If the area under your stairs is open, it’s unlikely you will require a permit to install removable shelving or rolling cabinets. However, if the area has been framed-in and covered with drywall, or if you intend to install a permanent fixture, then a permit may be required.

Why Bother with a Permit?
Building permits aren’t all about enriching the coffers of local government. While they do serve to ensure that homeowners pay their fair share of the tax burden, they also make certain that any structural, electrical or plumbing modifications to your house are done according to accepted standards. If you later sell your house, most real estate agencies will require you to sign a disclosure form, stating whether you have undertaken any unpermitted work. Don’t be surprised if prospective buyers request that the unpermitted work be inspected by a contractor, at your expense. Real estate agents also caution that unpermitted work, no matter how impressive, doesn’t necessarily add market value to the house – but it does raise indecision and apprehension on the part of buyers. And, if the unpermitted work is the cause of fire or water damage, you may run into problems with your insurance company when processing a claim.
 
Regardless of the project you undertake, it’s always a good idea to take the time to plan what you intend to do. Sketching out the project, ensuring that your measurements are correct, preparing a materials list and purchasing any necessary hardware before you start will help make the job go easier – and fend off frustration down the road.

Rolling Cabinets
An advantage of movable, or rolling, cabinets is that they enable you to use the full depth of the stairwell. The front panel can be built to suit the room. Be sure to use a high quality set of casters, as each cabinet will be heavy when fully loaded. This option works best if your floor is fairly flat and even as any bumps or slope will cause problems when it comes time to roll out the cabinet.

Closed Cabinets
Cabinets are an option for those who don’t like the look of open shelving. They can provide a much more finished look than open shelving, particularly when located on a main floor rather than the basement. Install any combination of doors and drawers that best fits your needs and complements the design of your home. The plywood framework can be installed underneath the stairs, then the doors or drawers can be made to fit. Although it’s not impossible, it is more difficult to install a large bank of drawers than it is to opt for doors.

Built-In Appliances
In many homes, laundry appliances are located in the basement. This can pose a problem if you have difficulty walking up and down stairs; or it can simply be a nuisance in large households where laundry is a daily chore. As for the half bathroom option, you’ll need to have some plumbing and electrical work done. If you have never done either type of work before, now is not the time to give it a go – hire a professional.

Office/Study Room
Increasingly, people are working from home, either on an occasional basis or full-time. Even if no one in your house works from home, it’s nice to have a quiet place to pay bills, check your email or browse the Canadian Woodworking forum. Children and young adults can also benefit from having access to a dedicated study room rather than the kitchen table or too-small bedroom. For either use, you’ll likely want at least one electrical outlet and a wall or ceiling light. An alternative to compact fluorescent lighting for a small space is LED lighting, like the Energy Star-rated AmbientLED. It is more energy-efficient, doesn’t generate much heat, isn’t affected by cycling the power on and off, and lights up instantly. Rather than a conventional door, which requires ample space to swing into or out of a room, consider installing pocket doors – they are ideal for small spaces and are no more difficult to install than a swing door.

Half Bathroom
Skill Level: advanced
Having an extra bathroom, especially for families with children, can be a godsend. You won’t be able to fit a full-size bathroom under the stairs, but it is ideal for a half-bathroom (or powder room), consisting of a sink and toilet. This, of course, means that some plumbing and electrical work will be required. If the bathroom will be located in the basement, consider using moisture and mold-resistant gypsum, such as Humitek (cgcinc.com). You might also want to consider installing a space-saving pedestal sink and toilet. High-efficiency toilets require a space of only 15 ½" x 28 ½". Of course, the issue with toilets is their somewhat extensive plumbing requirements. An alternative to the conventional toilet is an ‘up-flush’ toilet. While more expensive to purchase up-front, they are easier and less costly to install, as they require only a cold water intake and a 1" diameter discharge pipe. The toilet macerates the waste and paper and flushes it through the discharge pipe to the main drainpipe.

Hope you enjoyed these ideas for how to make better use of the under stairs space in your home.

Article courtesy of : https://www.canadianwoodworking.com/diyhome-improvement/under-stairs-storage?fbclid=IwAR2LUIb5KDYralX8x6ddIsZLvT4G3RsabA0JQzPy6h_CFsdkENvwE3T7b_A

1. CLEAN YOUR GUTTERS AND DOWNSPOUTS

Remove all debris that have accumulated in gutters and downspouts. This will ensure that gutters can drain effectively and the water gathered goes to where you want it. A blocked gutter will result in water overflows and can lead to expensive damage from ice dams.

Check that gutters are in good condition (no sags or missing brackets) and repair where necessary. Take care when climbing ladders. If you are wary of heights, hire a professional to get the job done.

2. CHECK YOUR ROOF

Visually examine your roof for any obvious signs of damage, such as missing or buckled shingles. You can eyeball the roof from a distance and should not need to climb all the way up.

Replace loose shingles and repair damaged portions immediately to avoid more serious problems that can occur when the snow starts to accumulate and freeze and thaw cycles begin.

3. DRAIN GARDEN HOSES

Garden hoses should be removed from outdoor faucets, drained of water and stored away indoors, such as in a garage. When garden hoses are not disconnected, the water in them can freeze and expand resulting in burst hoses and/or cracked pipes.

If your outdoor faucets have shut-off valves located on the inside of your home, turn them off. Consider insulating water pipes that are close to exterior walls. Also, remember to turn of the sprinkler system.

4. PREPARE GAS-OPERATED TOOLS FOR WINTER STORAGE

Home tools and equipment should be checked before storing them away for the winter. If they are gas-powered, either drain the gas (fuel) or add a fuel stabilizer to ensure that old fuel does not degrade and make your equipment difficult to start in spring.

If you use a stabilizer, run the equipment for a few minutes to ensure the stabilizer gets to the carburetor.

5. TUNE UP YOUR FURNACE

You do not want to wait until temperatures drop before ensuring that your furnace is working efficiently. Replace the filter and if the furnace has not been serviced in the last year, hire a professional to conduct a full tune-up.

6. FEED AND MAINTAIN YOUR LAWN

The grass on your lawn start to store food for the winter as temperatures drop, so you should be fertilizing once or twice in fall to ensure your lawn greens up faster in spring.

Rake tree leaves to prevent them from killing off your lawn and/or encouraging disease spread. You can also choose to mulch the leaves using a mower. Overseed the lawn if required, aerate, and mow one last time, leaving about 3” before the first snowfall.

7. PREPARE YOUR DECK

If you live in the cold North, your deck is going to be covered in snow and ice for a few months during winter. Fall is a good time to give your deck a good wash and get rid of debris and mould. Repair any rotted boards, and depending on the condition, fall is great for staining and sealing your deck.

8. STOW-AWAY PATIO FURNITURE

Remove patio furniture and keep them away in a garage or other enclosed space for the winter. These include hammocks, umbrellas, cushions, and others. You can also protect them using weather-proof covers.

9. WINTERIZE YOUR AIR CONDITIONER

Disconnect the air conditioning unit from power to prevent it from powering up during the winter months and getting damaged. If you want to save yourself clean-up time in spring, clean out all debris now and put a protective cover over the AC to prevent damage from snow and ice. A sheet of plywood also works.

For window units, you can remove them completely, or cover to prevent drafts.

10. MAINTAIN YOUR FIREPLACE AND CHIMNEY

Check your fireplace and ensure it is working okay. You may need to hire a professional to inspect and sweep your chimney to get rid of accumulated debris, including soot, leaves, and bird nests. This will prevent dangerous chimney fires and also dangerous gases from seeping into your home.

If you have a firewood fireplace, now is the time to stock up on firewood. Store firewood in a safe place.

11. MAINTAIN SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS

Test all smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure they are in good working order. Replace batteries with new ones. Windows are closed in winter and with gas furnaces and fireplaces burning away, the danger of noxious gases escaping is always present.