Carpentry & Joinery

Under stairs storage

Anonymous user 25/09/2026 - 12.07 PM

Can I turn a boxed-in under-stairs cupboard into pull-out storage? I live in a ground-floor maisonette. The space under my stairs is currently boxed in with a door at the tall end. It slopes down towards the back, which makes the far end difficult to reach and use for storage. I’d like to install pull-out drawers that open from the side of the staircase. However, the side wall looks quite thick, and I don’t know whether it supports the stairs or any part of the building. Who should assess the wall before any work starts: a joiner, a builder or a structural engineer? Is it usually possible to make openings for drawers in this type of space, and what would need to be checked to make sure the stairs and building remain properly supported?

MPH Landscaping 2 Driveways Ltd

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Yes, it’s often possible to convert an under-stairs cupboard into pull-out storage, but the wall should be checked before any openings are made. If there’s any doubt about whether it supports the stairs or structure above, a structural engineer is the best person to assess it. Once confirmed, a builder or joiner can carry out the work. They’ll need to check how the stairs are supported, whether the wall is load-bearing, and whether any services or fire-protection requirements are affected.

Answered25 September 2026

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