How to Build Under Stairs Drawers for Shoe Storage (DIY Guide with Plans)

Under stairs shoe storage is one of the most practical upgrades you can make to a hallway, and building your own drawers is far cheaper than buying a ready-made kit. This step-by-step guide shows you how to build under stairs drawers from scratch using basic tools and a handful of materials from your local hardware store.

Whether you want pull-out shoe storage, a hidden drawer for coats and bags, or a combination of both, this beginner-friendly build can be adapted to suit almost any under-stairs space. We will cover everything from cutting the hole to fitting the drawer runners, with tips to help you get a clean, professional finish, even if you have never built drawers before.

Is There an Under Stairs Storage Kit You Can Buy?

It is a common search, but a ready-made kit for under stairs drawers does not exist. Every staircase has a different angle, depth, and void size, which makes a one-size-fits-all solution impossible. Freestanding modular units are sometimes used but they leave awkward gaps and waste the space you are trying to use.

Building your own is the only way to get a perfect fit, and as this guide shows, it is much more straightforward than it sounds.

Materials for Under Stairs Drawers

You only need a handful of materials for this build, all of which are easy to source from a local timber merchant or hardware store.

• 9mm MDF sheets — used for the drawer boxes and back panels
• 19x38mm pine wood — used to build the support frame for the runners
• Screws — a general selection of sizes will cover most of the build
• Drawer runners — standard or soft close; check the load capacity and extension length before buying

For shoe storage, soft-close runners are worth the small extra cost. They handle the repeated daily use much better than standard runners and give a more premium feel to the finished build. If you prefer a cleaner, handle-free look, push-to-open drawer runners are worth considering, too.

Also try these soft close runners

VADANIA 400mm Soft Close Drawer Runners

45kg Load Capacity

• Double spring design, makes it easier to pull back and smoother than single spring when full loaded.
• Made of 1.2 mm cold-rolled steel, VADANIA drawer runners can easily bear up to 45kg
• 3-fold full extension drawer runners. Original length: 400mm, full extension lengths: 780mm

Buy Here

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Build Under Stairs Drawers for Shoe Storage

This is where this project started. There is access under the stairs at the far end, but it quickly becomes too narrow to use practically. Rather than leave it wasted, we decided to make the most of the space and build our own under-stairs shoe storage.

Step 1: Planning Your Under Stairs Drawer Layout

Start by deciding how many drawers you want and what you will be using them for. We wanted shoe storage at the front and a deeper drawer for laundry bags behind it. Think about the height and width of each drawer, and make sure your chosen runners can handle the weight and will extend far enough for easy access within your available space.

Step 2: Marking Out and Cutting the Opening

Once you have a plan, mark out the drawer opening carefully on the wall. Before you cut, check that the material is reasonably thin and that there are no electrical wires or plumbing hidden behind it. If you are unsure, use a pipe and cable detector first.

Drill a hole large enough to fit your jigsaw blade, then cut as carefully as possible along your marked lines. Use a guide bar to keep the cut straight. If you want a truly clean finish around the opening, consider removing the entire wall panel and rebuilding the surround. It takes a little more time, but the result is much neater. We did not do this, and the finish is not perfect, but it is not something most people notice.

Once you have a clean opening, cut the drawer front from the offcut. Using the same piece of material ensures the angles match perfectly and the drawer sits flush when closed.

Step 3: Building the Frame for Your Drawer Runners

The frame is the most important part of this build. Get it right, and the drawers will slide smoothly for years. Get it wrong, and no amount of adjustment will fix it later.

Cut your 19x38mm pine to size and build a rectangular frame that sits inside the opening. The key thing to check is that the front width and the back width measure exactly the same. Even a few millimetres of difference will cause the drawer to bind or sit unevenly. Use a set square throughout and measure corner to corner diagonally. If both diagonal measurements match, the frame is perfectly square.

Once you are happy it is square, fix the frame firmly to the floor and the front and rear walls. Any flex or movement in the frame will cause problems with the drawer action over time, so do not rush this step. Screw it securely and check for any wobbles before moving on.

Step 4: Building the Drawers

With the frame in place you can start building the drawer boxes. Cut your 9mm MDF to size for the base, front, back, and two side panels. As with the frame, the most important thing is to keep everything square. Measure the front and back of the drawer and make sure they are identical. Even a small variation will stop the drawer sliding cleanly on the runners.

For a shoe storage drawer, add a central shelf to keep pairs organised and a solid back panel to stop shoes sliding out when you pull the drawer open. If you are building a deeper drawer for laundry or bags, a back panel is still worth including to keep the contents contained.

Screw and glue the panels together for a solid finish. A few clamps while the glue sets will help keep everything square while you work.

Step 5: Fitting the Drawer Runners

Before buying your runners, check two things: the load capacity and the extension length. The load capacity needs to handle the weight of the drawer plus whatever you are storing in it. The extension length needs to be long enough to give you easy access to the back of the drawer when fully open.

Fit the runners to the frame first, then slide the drawer onto the runner and fix it from the side. The elongated screw fixing points on most runners allow for fine adjustment, so do not worry if it is not perfect first time. Small tweaks left, right, up, or down will get the drawer sitting and sliding just right. Once you are happy with the alignment, add a handle or knob and test the action. A small amount of WD40 on the runners will help everything move smoothly.

Step 6: Sanding and Painting

Remove the drawer and give all the surfaces a light sand to smooth off any rough edges or marks from the build. Then finish with a coat of paint in whatever colour suits your hallway. We went with a bright blue which added a nice pop of colour, but any wood paint will work well on MDF.

This is a rewarding build that most competent DIYers can complete in a weekend. It will not suit every home due to variations in staircase design, but in most cases you will find a way to make it work for your space.

Tools for the job

You’ll need a few tools including a cordless drill, jigsaw, hand saw, tape measure and set-square.  Here are a few of my recommendations:

• Dewalt cordless drill combo pack
• Dewalt cordless jigsaw
• 12 Tpi Hand saw
• Rafters square
• Tape measure

How to Build a Cupboard Under the Stairs for Taller Items

If you need to store taller items like a vacuum cleaner, mop, or ironing board, a full height cupboard is a better option than drawers. Here is a straightforward approach to building one.

Start by measuring the height, width, and depth of the available space. Account for the tallest item you need to store and leave a little extra room for easy access. Then decide on your door configuration. A single door works well for narrower openings, while a wider space may benefit from two doors side by side.

Build a simple timber frame using plywood or similar sheet material, fixed securely to the floor and walls. Add adjustable shelves inside so you can reconfigure the space as your storage needs change. Fit your chosen door on hinges with a magnetic catch to keep it closed neatly, and finish with a sand and a coat of paint to match the rest of your hallway.

A few hooks on the inside of the door or along the back wall are worth adding too. They are ideal for hanging bags, leads, or cleaning accessories and make use of every bit of available space.

Updating Your Bannister to Complete the Look

Once the drawers were in, it made sense to refresh the rest of the staircase. The old 70s-style bannister looked out of place next to the new storage, so I replaced it with a cleaner wooden alternative that tied the whole hallway together.

If you are already making changes under the stairs, updating the bannister at the same time is a straightforward next step. You can read how I refurbished mine in this guide to refurbishing your bannister.

More Under Stairs Storage Ideas: Shelves, Cupboards and Creative Builds

You don’t have to limit yourself to drawers. Try adding shelves, cubby holes, wine racks, bookshelves, dog or cat beds, or even a decorative slatted partition to subtly divide or section off areas beneath the stairs. Here is a little inspiration to get the creative thoughts flowing.

Check out my most recent under-stair project on my other site where I built a pantry under my staircase.

Conclusion

Building your own under stairs drawers is one of those projects that makes a real difference to daily life. The space is there, it is just wasted. A weekend of work and a handful of materials is all it takes to turn it into genuinely useful shoe storage that fits your home perfectly.

If you give it a go, we would love to see how it turns out. Drop a comment below or share a photo of your finished build.

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