Use dead spaces

The area under the staircase:
• Get your carpenter to block it off with a door – one-sided, two-sided, or sliding – that matches the woodwork and can be used for extra storage.
• Install shelves for books and knick-knacks.
• If the staircase is in the living room, turn it into a bar with a counter.
• If it’s high enough, use the spot as a study area for your teenager.
• Put a beanbag, a small table and a lamp to create a cozy nook to relax in.