For anyone who has had the pleasure of renting or owning a city-center apartment, they know the constant issue they are plagued with: space. Never enough of it. And for those who know what I’m talking about, we can never understand those people who complain about having “too much space.” What exactly is TOO much space?! So maybe you have mastered the tips and tricks of storage for small spaces, and those crafty furniture ideas, but what about larger scale installations, like stairs?
Whether you’re reconstructing a new loft apartment or revamping one that is practically ancient, considering the stairs is extremely important to maximize what little space you have without spending an arm and a leg to do so.
Before you pick up that phone and call a contractor, just wait a second. The whole DIY fad that’s sweeping the interior decorating market has made its way to stairs as well. If you’re looking to go easy on your wallet, DIY stair kits are your best bet as you will be saving yourself time and money. No need to wait for a contractor or pay one for that matter because DIY staircases eliminate that burden all together. With some nifty new technology, online staircase planners allow you to plan, tweak and order the staircase that is ideal for your space limits.
In addition to being do it yourself assembly, certain stair manufacturersalso specialize in space-saving stairs, and you won’t believe just how compact they are. You can install a staircase with treads that are literally 54 cm wide, made of the most durable woods and steel railings. Don’t be alarmed by how dainty they look, they are built for sturdiness, durability and a way to deal with wear and tear. Very important when looking for a space-saving stair is alternating treads. It’s quite similar to the structure of a ladder but with a forward facing descent, and is the best way to save space when speaking about stairs.
Also, don’t underestimate the infinite storage and space saving options that your stairs can pose. A lot of lofts, especially, are built without an built-in storage in mind. Take full advantage of under stairs storage containers, or coat hangers your can install on the staircase. Shelves that hang under the treads are also a great way to either hide things you don’t want seen or make for extra decorating room: picture frames and knick-knacks.
So a pint-sized place doesn’t have to mean panic or relinquishing of precious space to something as essential as a staircase. Try to get fun with it from a design standpoint, but also know that there are DIY options out there that will save you the time of waiting for the professionals and more importantly, the money you would undoubtedly fork over for services rendered. Invite a friend over, make an afternoon out of it and enjoy the new edition to your home.
