Unlocking Hidden Space: Our Stairway-to-Haven Adventure

You know we’re all about making the most of every square foot in our homes. It’s a basic real estate principle: the more you can maximize the “highest and best use” of your property, the more valuable (and fun!) it becomes. That got us thinking… what was lurking behind the tall wall in our hallway and the untouched space beneath our stairs? It was time to find out!

We’d toured some newer homes with sleek, organized closets under the stairs and thought, Why can’t we have that, too? So, armed with a drywall knife, flashlight, and curiosity, we cut a small hole to peek inside. And what did we discover? A treasure trove of about 60 hidden square feet! Considering our home was already 2,183 square feet, this extra space felt like hitting the jackpot!

Next up, we expanded the hole to really get in there, imagining all the possibilities. That’s when inspiration struck—why not create a hidden “hideout” for the kids? We’d seen those amazing bookshelf doorways online (you know, the ones that make you feel like you’re in a spy movie), and this seemed like the perfect spot.

Of course, we had to make sure we weren’t messing with the structural integrity of the stairs, so we called in a couple of contractors to bid on moving some framing and installing electrical for a light switch. Once they wrapped up the heavy lifting, we got to work DIY-ing the rest. We tackled the drywall mudding, sanding, and painting ourselves (DIY = save $$$, right?).

To finish it off, we added a foldable chair for reading, some clear shelves for books, a few baskets for toys, and, the pièce de résistance, a bookshelf on a hinge that turned into a secret door! The kids were obsessed. It became their little nook for reading, playing, and, let’s be honest, pretending to be wizards.

When we eventually sold the house, our realtor coined it the “Harry Potter Room” (of course) and it was a total hit with buyers. We like to think the new family is enjoying it as much as we did.

So, the next time you wonder what’s behind that wall or under the stairs, don’t hesitate—explore it! You never know what kind of magical space you might find.