Now that the painters are almost finished painting, it’s time to start thinking about the stairs that will lead to and from the loft in Jim and Katie’s Bungalow Barn. I spent some time searching Pinterest and Google last night for inspiration (to give to our builder), but unfortunately, the pickins were pretty slim. I did find this one that shows a super narrow staircase, which is exactly what J & K are going to need, so that it doesn’t stick out into their living room too much. (Keep in mind that these stairs will mainly just be for access to the attic and for the grandkids to get up to the built-in beds someday.)
The only difference is that theirs will just be a straight staircase. It won’t wrap around a corner like the one pictured above.
This next photo gave me a better idea of how the railing up in the loft will probably be positioned:
J & K’s railing will be a completely different style than that one, but it was nice to see how that part is attached.
This was the best photo I ended up finding in my search:
That is the closest to what J & K’s space looks like, and it’s pretty right on track style-wise too. The only thing is, I’d love it if we could work built-in storage under the stairs (instead using a large piece of furniture) to really utilize that area without taking up valuable floor space.
This last photo inspired me color-wise:
Isn’t that the prettiest palette? 😀
Anywho…hope you have a fantastic weekend! Friendly reminder: I’ll be hosting my weekly LuLaRoe pop-up on Sunday (at 5pm CST) until Monday (at 7pm CST) again this (and every) week. Here’s a link to my (private) Facebook group: LuLaRoe Layla Palmer if you’d like to take a peek at my new inventory!
…and speaking of peeks. 😉
As a geriatric/rehab nurse, I am thinking that whatever staircase you decide on should be adaptable to one of those seats to ride up the staircase when stairs become an issue. Stairs often become a significant issue if there is a joint replacement, significant illness or just inability to navigate stairs safely over time. One does not have to be in their 80’s or 90’s for this to happen. Many people in their 60’s often find this a challenge when something unexpected happens. I hope this is a helpful suggestion.
Oh, these will mainly just be for access to the attic and for the grandkids to get up to the built-in beds someday. ?
Good to hear!
Oh, that last photo. Swoon!
Yes, that last photo!!! Do you happen to know the color of the steps?? Love it!
I love seeing your thought process. It’s going to be beautiful!
I don’t know how old Kevin’s parents are, but as a 61 year old with knee issues I. can tell you that there is no way I could get up and down any of those stairs. If there is no way to have a main floor bedroom, please at least have your builder make steps with wide foot length and short risers. Otherwise this loft bedroom will become useless at some point.
Oh, these will mainly just be for access to the attic and for the grandkids to get up to the built-in beds someday. 🙂
Will the grandkids also be the ones who change the sheets and clean the loft? As other posters have mentioned, these steps are too shallow and much too steep for anyone with knee, hip or leg issues. Always think in the future when building for older adults. In the blink of an eye….
Oh, Kevin and I can help change sheets up there if we ever get those beds built, Jane. Also, we’ll obviously make sure our steps aren’t too steep or shallow. I guess I should have mentioned that this loft is really just a storage space that Kevin and I will be happy to climb up to when Jim and Katie move in.
Love the last photo. The colors are gorgeous. Since I follow your blog, I know the loft is not the main bedroom so that is not an issue. I agree that having storage under the stairs would be great. Because Jim uses a scooter, the more open the floor space the better, I would think. Oh, does Sonny like riding the scooter with his grandfather?
Hi Sylvia!
Steevenson hasn’t ridden on the scooter. I think it would be too hard for Jim, who doesn’t have much feeling in the appendages on his right side and struggles with a lot of pain in his lower back.
Layla, I have another search suggestion for you, might produce a few more inspiration photos for you to look at (it seemed to anyway, when I did it.) Try under “Tiny Home Staircases”….some pretty neat ideas, also that have integrated a lot of storage within them. Good luck!
How do I purchase the Lulu clothes if I am not on facebook?
Hi Layla, this article has very creative & unusual staircase designs:
27 The Most Cool Space Saving Staircase Designs
http://www.digsdigs.com
Have you considered an open staircase, more along the lines of a ship’s ladder? It’s so much easier to climb because you don’t have to deal with narrow treads (the tips of your feet don’t hit the riser), and because you can grip the stairs above you with your hands if that feels more comfortable than using the handrail.
Could ship stairs work? With staggered steps to save vertical space?
Our lives couldn’t be more different but I have adored your blog for years! Much love.
Chip and joanna of fixer upper did a shotgun house with stairs that could be raised and lowered as needed. Maybe that would be an idea to consider…
I love the barn 🙂 I must say that after seeing so many of the “tiny home” shows on tv, I’m surprised there aren’t building and safety codes that dictate the rise/run measurements for indoor stairs. I guess if it’s only going to be storage access, that’s one thing, but even so, moving boxes or bins up and down tiny stairs by anyone would be a bit treacherous.
One of the photos featured a railing with horizontal bars. While those are a pretty design element, dont make it too easy for kids to climb on! That would have been WAY too tempting for my half monkey kids!
Please make sure your steps are deep enough for and adult foot. We recently stayed with friends who had an old staircase to the bedrooms on the second floor. The steps were quite narrow. It was positively scary going up and down them! I never carried anything going up and down so I could hold on to the railing with both hands!!
A lot of these remind me of the carriage houses at Rosemary Beach on 30A. We stayed in one with an alternating staircase and a fantastic loft. Tricky to navigate, but fine if not for daily use!
I’ve collected some small staircase inspiration on my Pinterest page. https://www.pinterest.com/skatebum/cozy-comfort/
Tiny house stairs often have bookcases or even small cabinets on the side to use the space under the staircase. I love the ones that hinge each step to provide little storage boxes in each step.
The Barn is looking great!
These stairs are cute with storage….
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/381539399664530419/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AXLG2erDoeoV2FeqfYx7TDyIP3NPquCcJSVdRkw3sLoNOgnp9DN0ECM/
Layla, we are moving in with our daughter and son-in-law come November 23rd, and we also had to come up with a set of stairs to get us upstairs. We found that a stair lifts differ in price drastically if it has any kind of turn to it. So we had to eliminate the lovely small landing and opt for a straight run. Not as pretty, but much more practical money-wise.
Have really enjoyed following along with the building process.
I really like the last two pics, and agree that utilizing the space underneath is important. Surely your builder can come up with the structure needed to support the stairs while making the underneath useable.
Layla: You have to go to my buddy, Alex Pino on tinyhousetalk.com He has featured GREAT staircases in a minimal space. Check out his website or, if you want his private email, contact me. He’s great! 🙂
Best,
Gloria
I have that Julia! And I love that you are building your parents a home with you!
Under stair storage, open style single span stair case, traditional farmhouse style in a cool colour palette. SIMPLE! You’d think, hey! Oh the joys of wanting and finding what one needs!
(Funny how some of the commenters have speed read your post, and not realised your bigger picture from previous blog entries. Oh well….)
SO, anyhoosies, DO make sure the hand rails have some kind of protection for the kiddies not to slip through as they climb the stairs. Open is great, except we all know how clumsy kids can be. Heck, I am one big kid who falls UP stairs. How the heck I manage to do that is beyond me though….sheesh…big feet I guess. 😉
Could you not do a sliding library ladder-type thing so it doesn’t take up an real estate?
That would be lovely, Lynda- but it would be too difficult to climb up and down while you’re carrying things up and down. Also, it’s 12′ off the ground, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable with Steevenson climbing up a ladder that tall for several years.
Layla: After reading over some of the comments, I understand that these stairs are for access only. Not sure if you watch Fixer Upper, but they did a shot gun house with a loft scenario and installed steel stairs that operated on a hoist system. They are great for access but can easily be hoisted out of the way. You could use the manual style but I am sure that an electrical hoist could also be attached.
Layla, some of the safety concerns are valid. I have fallen down the stairs before, and I find that anything too steep or with too short a step is, indeed, scary. That, despite the fact I was quite an athlete in my day and have lived in two story houses my entire adult life. Funny thing, our attic staircase is less scary for some reason because it is close to a wall on the right. Our former attic stairs (with twelve foot ceilings) used to come straight down in the middle of the landing and were terrifying. I almost couldn’t climb them. I would get up there, and then backing down was a challenge and a half. Shivers.
I went to a friend’s house who happens to be our architect, and they built a ladder stair to a loft space and wanted me to see if I could make it up and down since we are building a guest space that requires a special set of stairs. Nope! Just hated his stairs! LOL. If I had to go up stairs like that I would opt for a hotel. We are doing spiral, but that won’t really work for storage. It was an issue of saving space with us, and I can navigate a spiral.
I love the stairs in the last shot. The color is wonderful. I know you will pick the perfect staircase for you. All in all, it would be good if you could “test drive” stairs before you add them. Last “nanny comment”: when you are coming down something that steep with sheets, always opt to toss them over the rail. Safety first, and sheets can trip you. Don’t even ask! ?
Under the stairs, I envision a built-in desk with bookshelves above. Your in-laws could even put a TV on the desk to keep more open space in the living area. I love reading your blog and seeing your creativity!