Hiding stairs in plain sight

In this kitchen remodel, a cleverly placed kitchen sink hides headroom for the cellar stairs.

The designer of this kitchen faced the challenge of a large, unmovable box in the corner. The box provided headroom for the basement stairwell. The house was small and the stairs could not be moved, so alterations were made.

A small angle was cut out at the top of the stairs that does not interfere with headroom, enabling a sink to be placed over the stairs. Custom cabinets were placed around the stair box. A decorative glass door cabinet was pulled forward on an angle to hide wall and make access to upper cabinetry easier.

Painted cabinets compliment the floor and make the space look bigger. The fridge was moved to the other side of the kitchen to create more counter space around the sink. A professional gas cook top in stainless steel was added to match the other appliances, while an eating bar was installed next to the fridge with seating for three also doubling as an unloading area.

A visiting neighbor with the same design problem commented, “Where did you move your stairs to? Looks great!”

Designer:
Anthony Stuart Binns, CKD,CBD
BINNS KITCHEN + BATH DESIGN
333 Kingston Road
Pickering, ON L1V 1A1
CANADA
(905) 509-5555

Email: ray@binns.net
On the Web: www.binns.net

This kitchen won an honorable mention in the National Kitchen and Bath Association's 2006 Design Competition.