Ideas to use space under stairs?

[Anthony Watson]

I'm always looking for ways to pack even more junk in my two-car garage/shop, and lately I've been eyeballing the space under my attic stairs as an area just going to waste. So, I thought I'd ask here to see what solutions others have come up with.

I thought about building some simple shelves, but the area under the stairs is almost four feet deep, which would be nice for short lumber storage, but difficult to access anything else in the back.

Right now I'm thinking of building two or three carts with fronts to match the slope of the stairs. I could pull them out fully loaded and access everything easily, or even move them around the shop if needed.

But I'd love to see what others have done... (pictures please)

Anthony

[Jim Becker]

Storage for "shorts" for use in future projects. Tool storage bins, finishing materials, etc.

[Scott Wigginton]

with 4' deep you have a lot of real estate to use!

I'd store jigs, clamps, and board shorts up against the wall and mobile base tools or cabinets in front

Those plastic saw horses are a perfect fit to hang on the slanted area. Good luck reclaiming that space!

[Anthony Watson]

Jim,

The storage of "shorts" is kind of what I have in mind. I have lots of 30" or shorter boards, and a supply of cabinet door panels I already glued up for future projects. But again, access is the biggest problem which is why I'm considering the cart idea.

I'm also considering a cart to store all the tool cases for my air nailers, sanders, routers, etc. I rarely need to access these, but they take up a lot of space.

Still looking for example photos though...

Thanks,

Anthony

[John Eaton]

I've seen many photos for storage in there - mostly in print magazines. I like the full cabinets that fit like drawers on castors, accessed from the side when pulled out. I found these while looking around using google:











And some links:
http://www.bricks-n-mortar.com/2008/...l-storage.html
http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/r...ex.php?cat=472

-- John

[Jim Becker]

Those pull-outs in John's second posted picture are pretty kewel!

[Brad Noble]

I agree Jim, those caught my eye also. Almost makes me wish I had some stairs at my shop. A second floor would be kind of fun you know.

Brad

[Anthony Watson]

John E,

Awesome! Thanks. The second photo is what I had in mind. I had seen something similar years ago, but for the life of me I couldn't remember where. That will give me enough to work with.

I'd love the wine cellar idea too, but it wouldn't exactly suit a woodshop, and I couldn't keep full bottles around long enough to make use of it.

Anthony

[Steve Clardy]

Yes #2 looks like the ticket

[Jim Becker]

I agree Jim, those caught my eye also. Almost makes me wish I had some stairs at my shop.

I'd offer you mine, but ripping them out would make it a lot less convenient to get to the second floor of my shop. Besides, the right-side extension table of my slider is parked under them anyway...