This article takes you to the heart of a daring project to integrate an under-stair WC, designed with a 100% made-to-measure approach.
Far from being a simple staircase, this layout transforms an often restrictive volume into a functional, aesthetic space, perfectly integrated into the interior architecture.
From the very first sketches, our customers expressed a clear desire to create a bright, fluid and multifunctional space, capable of meeting everyday needs without weighing down the volume of the entrance hall.
Here we reveal the uniqueness of this project and how we were able to design an under-stair WC while maintaining a contemporary, open and light-filled stairwell.
Staircase and under-stair WC: a clever, timeless combination
The idea of combining a staircase and a toilet is not new. Many people wish to exploit the space available under a first floor staircase to integrate an under-stair WC, a practical and relevant solution in a family home.
However, this project presented a number of challenges. The customers wanted :
- an ergonomic, contemporary staircase,
- a bright, spacious entrance hall,
- and a discreet but comfortable under-stair WC.
The particularity of this project lies in the choice of a suspended staircase, a more complex option when it comes to integrating a complementary function underneath. The Canva suspended staircase was a natural choice. Having young children of their own, the customers also appreciated the safety aspect of this model, thanks to its controlled design and wrap-around railing.
A suspended staircase that lets the light in
Thanks to its riserless design, the staircase allows natural light to flood the entire hall.
The slim, graphic powder-coated steel structure visually lightens the space while adding a resolutely contemporary touch.
The solid bamboo steps create a subtle contrast and reinforce the warm aspect of the project, in direct echo with the treatment of the under-stair WC.
The staircase thus becomes a true architectural centerpiece, far beyond its primary function.
An under-stair WC designed as a volume in its own right
To integrate the under-stair WC in the best possible way, our designers have imagined a uniform, comfortably-proportioned unit that perfectly matches the geometry of the staircase.
The entire unit is made of wood, a conscious choice that allows both :
- to mark a clear demarcation,
- and ensure aesthetic continuity with the stair treads.
The treads extend into a custom-made box to close off the room, while the risers subtly dress up the volume. Unlike a conventional gyproc solution, the use of integrated wood panels offers significant space savings and a top-of-the-range finish.
All the technical elements of the under-stair WC – sanitaryware, washbasin, lighting and storage units – are directly integrated into the walls, guaranteeing perfect visual homogeneity.
The result is a comfortable, warm and intimate under-stair WC, where every centimetre has been precisely optimized.
Creating an upstairs office space: optimizing down to the last detail
The project doesn’t stop at the first floor. The optimization continues on the upper floor, where the larger-than-average hopper offered untapped potential.
Our designers came up with the idea of creating an additional platform, to increase the usable surface area and integrate a bespoke office area.
The staircase structure plays a key role here: it accommodates both the floor extension and the desk attachment, reinforcing the rigidity of the whole. An intelligent solution, both technical and aesthetic.
The desk features a wide worktop that extends naturally into the existing niches. It is attached to the steel balustrade, echoing the aesthetics of the Canva staircase for perfect coherence.
The resulting space is spacious, bright and functional, a real asset to the overall organization of the house.
A tailor-made project, a global vision of the home
This project perfectly illustrates our approach: designing staircases that structure space and reveal the full potential of the home.
The integration of an under-stair WC, combined with the extension of the first floor and the creation of an office area, demonstrates that thoughtful design can transform constraints into genuine architectural opportunities.
A fine example of made-to-measure, where design, functionality and comfort are one and the same. Would you also like to enhance your space with a made-to-measure staircase? Contact us here to make an appointment in our showroom.