Understairs storage

kerri_gt

We have an existing cupboard under the stairs but it's a nightmare to reach to the back / make real use of it with just the front opening door so I've been thinking about having some side draws put in.

Got a quote online for basically keeping the door at the end and having a tall storage area, then 3-5 draws along the side of the wall (approx 150cm in total) for pull out draws - these would each hold about 30kg each. These would be used for shoes, etc.

Online quote was £1000 including materials and fitting.

Based in the South East.

Given a carpenter's daily rate can be c.£450 in this area, any thoughts on the under stairs quote? Has anyone had this kind of thing done and are the draws actually as useful as they look or just a fad?

Furts

My understairs cupboard has plywood shelfs. Nothing posh, and not even very well fitted. They look OK and are decorated and reasonably tidy. Which means the job cost nothing - just offcuts of timber left over from jobs and oddments of paint likewise. The brackets were also surplus but decent brackets are cheap at Screwfix, B&Q and such like.

The concept of pull out drawers is absurd to me. Why hide stuff away? Under the stairs you want to see and definitely get easily to everything. Indeed the whole concept of having to hide everything from sight is crazy, but it comes about because companies can make good money from selling this concept. Which is much like you are witnessing. What you can do for £1000 I did for £nil.

Robin9

Plastic storage boxes for under £5

silverwhistle

Yep, that's what I do (alongside a little chest freezer). They're semi-transparent so that even if you don't do anything technically advanced like ;label them you can see the contents.

martinthebandit

Put stuff at the back that you very rarely use, every few years clear it out and take stuff you've never used to the tip or the charity shops etc.

Or you could use a couple of roller storage boxes, or suitcases.

Or change the shelves idea to a door, even learn a few carpentry skills and diy it.

Lots of options that, as this is MSE, won't cost you a grand.

Doozergirl

I think you're talking about drawers that open into the hallway, aren't you?

£1,000 sounds pretty reasonable to me for something that needs to look good, including drawers.

We've made 'secret' cupboards that look like panelling and push click to open, several times.

I've also spent 5 times that on bespoke wine storage

In our own self build, the space will be the dog house, to keep their beds out of the way.

If accessible storage, used regularly, is what you genuinely need, then why not.

Furts

Pull out drawers may be what OP wants to see? If so fine by me, but there is an mse way to cut the £1000 price. Simply get some pull out drawer kitchen base units from DIY stores, Ikea or secondhand ones off folks upgrading their kitchen.

A worktop off cut can be laid across the top, or a piece of plywood, chipboard or whatever.

I have just put shelfs in a flat for trendy folks who want the rough sawn timber and rustic look. Undecorated loft boards was my solution - right width and cheaper than chips from a wholesaler. The end result is not my taste but the trendy folks love it!

kerri_gt

Thanks Doozergirl & Furts - yes this is the kind of thing I'm looking for

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It's not so much wanting to 'hide stuff away' rather than, not wishing to display several pairs of muddy trainers / the vacuum cleaner and the laundry basket. Not stuff that can be boxed up and put at the back to eventually be thrown away, but stuff that is used on a regular basis (yes, I do wear 3 pairs of sports trainers at least once a week for different activities).

It's not a very tall cupboard as it stands at the moment (no pun intended) which makes trying to reach in further than the first foot and a half tricky because you're already stooped then trying to lean forward to reach stuff (good workout though :rotfl:)

Doozergirl I'm coming round to yours to check out this wine storage

kerri_gt

Just checking back in - we had the draws that we were looking at installed today using http://clevercloset.co.uk/ (we booked the job in their summer sale) and couldn't be happier with them. They look exactly like the pictures and the installer was fab (he was actaully installed by Clever Closet / Smart Storage as they are in Ireland, not a contractor) particularly at the tricky bits. Would definitely recommend if anyone is considering having something like this done.

Doozergirl

Great news! Wanna see my wine storage?!

https://instagram.com/p/BgKI_3Dlx3S/

kerri_gt

Doozergirl wrote: »

Great news! Wanna see my wine storage?!

https://instagram.com/p/BgKI_3Dlx3S/

I have serious storage envy :rotfl: Love a drop of Hendricks ....what time shall I be round?