Independent homes

Stair and landing Small Space Design for Independent homes

Keep one clear route and make infrequent activities share a footprint. Measure what happens when the room is occupied.

Explore the ideas
Living room seating group with a clear approach from the front of the room
Arrival inspiration: keep the first route into the room open.

Plan in this order

  1. Remove items used elsewhere and list what still needs to fit in the room.
  2. Put frequent-use storage against a fixed edge and test whether shallow storage works there.
  3. Tape the occupied footprint of the largest movable item, including the user and the space needed to operate it.
Worked example

A compact apartment entry has no separate closet, yet coats and bags pile up beside the front door.

Replace a deep cabinet with a shallow wall-mounted rail and a bench with lift-up storage. Tape the open door and seated footprint first to confirm neither blocks the route.

How to test it

Rehearse the busiest moment with everything open or pulled out. If the route disappears, change the furniture size or position.

Apply it to this space
Layout
Keep the stair landing free of storage and provide a clear view of each approach.
Detail
Use continuous hand support and low-glare lighting at both ends and along the steps.
Trade-off
Under-stair storage adds capacity but can constrict the stair approach.
  • Walk the stair with hands occupied
  • Check lighting and head clearance
Entry corridor leading toward a dining area beside a glass-front cabinet
Entry inspiration: a clear approach and shallow landing storage.

The Elixir portfolio

Details worth a closer look

Photographs for design inspiration
Wood display partition between an entry-side passage and living room
Entry inspiration: a permeable divider that softens direct sightlines.
Living area with a glass partition beside a television wall
Entry inspiration: glazed separation that preserves borrowed light.

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