Here’s How to Make a Kids Nook Under the Stairs

Kids and grown-ups will love this cozy corner! Our how-to video walks you through the steps to make a simple but sturdy platform day-bed which tucks beneath a staircase and sits on a base of storage boxes on castors. So much function and fashion!

Supplies:

• ¾ birch plywood 

• castors 

• cabinet pulls/hardware 

• wood filler 

• screws 

• paint roller 

• BeautiTone paint 

• upholstery foam – for finishing

Tools:

• measuring tape 

• pencil 

• saw 

• sandpaper 

• level 

• utility knife 

• circular saw 

• drill 

• screwdriver

Steps:

1. Assemble all materials for project . 

2. Draw a quick sketch of your project with measurements so you can cut all pieces to plan. Measure width of stairs and consider any trim – the finished unit should sit flush with the side of the staircase. 

3. Measure and cut plywood to create the platform. Tip: Number all of the pieces on your sketch and on each corresponding piece of wood for easy assembly . 

4. To accommodate the unit, remove any existing baseboard and trim under stairs. 

5. With a straight edge, mark placement on the platform for the two support pieces that will divide the unit and create three spaces for the roll-out storage boxes. 

6. These pieces will also provide support for the platform. Make sure to account for the thickness of the plywood when marking. 

7. Secure support pieces in place along the length of your platform with screws. 

8. Secure additional support pieces for the platform if required. (We added additional supports on the ends.) 

9. Add cross pieces between each divider for extra support in centre of platform. Ensure these pieces are set beyond the depth of your storage boxes so the boxes are flush with the front of the unit. 

10. Glue and secure board to close the open-ended front panel sections at each end of the platform. (This is the triangle on the right and the square on the left. Scraps of leftover plywood can be cut to size to fill in these spaces.) 

11. Fill in screw holes with wood filler before painting. 

12. Paint entire platform with BeautiTone paint colour. 

13. Next, measure and cut plywood to create the sides and bottoms for all of your storage boxes. Assemble each box with screws. Note: To have castors hidden from view, cut the fronts of the boxes to create overhang. 

14. Once assembled, paint the boxes the same or different colours as platform. 

15. Add castors to each corner of painted storage boxes. 

16. Add cabinet pulls to the front of each storage box for the finishing touch.