Interior Design Advice

Recently looking around my room, I realized that it's basically a fire hazard. But only because I've run out of room for my books; they're currently in piles on the floor. I'd like to have a proper way to store them all since the bookcases in my room are bursting. While I've started to use the walls of our stairwell as a place to plot stories via post-its, it occurred to me that our landing could be the perfect place for storing my books.

I already use one of the two bookcases there to contain my manga, along with some Legos. But I'd like to transform the stairwell further than just putting another bookcase in.

IMAGE(http://i111.photobucket.com/albums/n123/chasemustang/Other/IMG_0917.jpg)

It's 6 1/2' x 3' in space.

I was thinking of removing the book shelves, and building something similar to this. But I'm trying to think logistically if that would be the most ideal way to use the space.

For anyone that knows at least a little about interior design, would this be a wise decision?

I can't recommend storing anything in the stair way. It's a fall hazard, and may impede your way out in case of a fire.

I'm not concerned about a fire and the need to escape through the stairwell because our basement where the bedrooms are, aren't underground. So we already have our fire escapes via bedroom windows that would drop me a few feet down onto the ground. I just need a place to get the books off my floor of my room. Neither of my closets work since they have the water shut off valve and the duct access panel for under the house. So both of those are out.

EDIT: I'm trying to find other options available to me in our house, but currently this is all I have since we're limited due to design. Unless of course someone wants a piano. If I get rid of our piano, we'll have space for bookcases.

A few sets of floating shelves might work well in that space. IKEA has some that are 46" long for $20 here. It would help to figure out how many linear feet of shelf space you need (do you need 3 shelves or 30?). I think if you get some floating shelves the same width as the landing, it would look pretty nice. But I'm an engineer, not a designer.

[size=8]...sell some books...[/size]

Chumpy_McChump wrote:

[size=8]...sell some books...[/size]

I'm surprised no one has said "Get a Kindle."

gtnissanfan wrote:

A few sets of floating shelves might work well in that space. IKEA has some that are 46" long for $20 here. It would help to figure out how many linear feet of shelf space you need (do you need 3 shelves or 30?). I think if you get some floating shelves the same width as the landing, it would look pretty nice. But I'm an engineer, not a designer.

That's about what I was looking at doing. But I should check how much linear feet I'd need.

Get a Kindle. $114. Tiny.

BadKen wrote:

Get a Kindle. $114. Tiny.

Space is an issue, so this was the number one reason I got a Kindle.

Ghostship wrote:

I can't recommend storing anything in the stair way. It's a fall hazard, and may impede your way out in case of a fire.

Same.

Paleocon wrote:
Ghostship wrote:

I can't recommend storing anything in the stair way. It's a fall hazard, and may impede your way out in case of a fire.

Same.

Would have thought you'd have a home invasion scenario, too.

Chumpy_McChump wrote:

[size=8]...sell some books...[/size]

Shut your filthy mouth!

The only acceptable solution:

IMAGE(http://i.imgur.com/erVPb.jpg)

It is very difficult to recommend putting anything in your landing, as other have mentioned previously. But since that doesn't concern you I'd recommend doing exactly what you linked to. Just put the lowest shelf above shoulder level.

You could build something like that yourself relatively easily, but you likely will not save any money. So unless you want to build it yourself, I'd say run to Ikea with the linear foot of shelving you need and go to town. Judging by my own book collection, I'd say 5-7 books per linear foot. Get extra LF so you can use bookends.

Make sure you are always mounting to a stud. Always.
Grab a stud-finder, a cordless drill, a 2' level, and some wood screws and you are set.

DK: you wanted an interior design tip, and I'll give you one: are you sure your handrails are up to your local building code? There is a risk that people descending the stairs might snag their bags or clothing upon the open-ended rail. To avoid that, the handrails must be "returned", i.e. pointed into the wall:

IMAGE(http://www.stairpartshop.co.uk/acatalog/fusion-wall-handrail-end.jpg)

Gorilla.800.lbs wrote:

DK: you wanted an interior design tip, and I'll give you one: are you sure your handrails are up to your local building code? There is a risk that people descending the stairs might snag their bags or clothing upon the open-ended rail. To avoid that, the handrails must be "returned", i.e. pointed into the wall:

Odd how all of the interior design advice turned into safety advice.

wordsmythe wrote:
Chumpy_McChump wrote:

[size=8]...sell some books...[/size]

Shut your filthy mouth!

Indeed. Obviously the correct solution is something along these lines:
IMAGE(http://cdn.dornob.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/stairs-book-shelves-combined.jpg)

I couldn't agree more.

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/
I like this site when I want apartment decorating ideas. Back when I had an apartment. Also, all this "safety" stuff is really lame. LAME!! And I am with Wordy on keeping all the books.

Kindles are for pussies.

I'd post a picture of my collection if I could find one...

Gremlin wrote:

Indeed. Obviously the correct solution is something along these lines:
IMAGE(http://cdn.dornob.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/stairs-book-shelves-combined.jpg)

I have that picture saved on my computer because that's what I'd love to do, but have no proper staircase for something like that.

Okay, perhaps you're thinking the layout of my house is a split level that is a cookie-cutter of plenty of other homes. But my house is 100% unique because my mom designed this herself. So I know you're probably thinking the main doors are downstairs or that the stairs lead to a basement. They don't. The bedrooms are downstairs, and are in fact above ground - including the windows. So as I stated previously, using the stairs for a fire escape would actually be a terrible option only because that would put me two to three stories above ground (one side of our house is on a steep hill). For years, my fire escape plan from my room or my mom's room would be the bedroom windows, which would drop me five feet to the ground.

The stairwell is the only ideal option unless of course I convince my mom to let me sell our piano, then that would open up an alcove in our dining room.

Gorilla.800.lbs wrote:

DK: you wanted an interior design tip, and I'll give you one: are you sure your handrails are up to your local building code? There is a risk that people descending the stairs might snag their bags or clothing upon the open-ended rail.

Building code wise, I'm not concerned about the handrails. We actually didn't have them there for about two years and only put them up again recently just to fill the holes and move them from where we had them stored in our freezer room. Thanks for the tip though.

General Crespin wrote:

Kindles are for pussies.

I'd post a picture of my collection if I could find one...

p*ssy collection??

Lester_King wrote:
Paleocon wrote:
Ghostship wrote:

I can't recommend storing anything in the stair way. It's a fall hazard, and may impede your way out in case of a fire.

Same.

Would have thought you'd have a home invasion scenario, too.

:)

That's why you have the heavy object at the top of the stairs. That way, you can tip it over to provide cover or launch it down the stairs as your assailant attempts to climb the stairs toward you.

It also helps to have chromed flower vases set around your living space in known locations. This will allow you to watch/detect movement in your house from around corners and the like.

Finally, install light switches that allow you to illuminate the downstairs area from a position of relative safety and obscurity. This way, you can illuminate your home invader without revealing your position.

Other than that, have a safe room and a plan.

That work for you?

General Crespin wrote:

Kindles are for pussies.

Meow.

I second Paleo's suggestion of remote light switches and chrome vases or strategic mirror placements. Don't recommend the heavy object up the stairs. It's too easily a weapon that could be turned against you, since it doesn't require special knowledge to leverage. Instead, I recommend putting an umbrella vase near the stairwell at the bottom and conceal a lead pipe with the umbrellas. It's an easy-reach weapon you can use to delay assassins so you can reach an exit or strategic position.

Also, meow.

Gremlin wrote:
Gorilla.800.lbs wrote:

DK: you wanted an interior design tip, and I'll give you one: are you sure your handrails are up to your local building code? There is a risk that people descending the stairs might snag their bags or clothing upon the open-ended rail. To avoid that, the handrails must be "returned", i.e. pointed into the wall:

Odd how all of the interior design advice turned into safety advice.

wordsmythe wrote:
Chumpy_McChump wrote:

[size=8]...sell some books...[/size]

Shut your filthy mouth!

Indeed. Obviously the correct solution is something along these lines:
IMAGE(http://cdn.dornob.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/stairs-book-shelves-combined.jpg)

Looking at this picture, some might see a fire hazard. Me, I see a fire opportunity!

The only fire hazard I see comes from the burning passion I have for those bookshelves.

Thank dude, indeed.

thejustinbot wrote:
BadKen wrote:

Get a Kindle. $114. Tiny.

Space is an issue, so this was the number one reason I got a Kindle.

I got rid of some of my books and replaced them with digital versions so I could have space for models and action figures. I was almost tempted to throw out my CDs but I just tossed the cases instead and put the CDs in one of those binders. I figure I might as well keep them as back up. Hmmm though now I could probably burn all my music on blu ray discs.

That's practically beat poetry.