Under-stairs storage — pull-out drawers, a coat cupboard, a mini home office, a wine store — is built into a triangular void defined entirely by the staircase above it, and staircases vary in pitch, stringer position and winder configuration even within similar-aged houses. That's why templating matters here more than almost any other fitted joinery job.
The written specification should describe how the stair void will be measured, how doors and drawer fronts will follow the descending line of the stringer, and what happens to any structural or services access already in that space.
Templating the stair void
The quote should confirm a template is taken directly from the underside of the stair stringer, capturing the exact rake angle and any winders or curves in the staircase, rather than working from a generic assumed angle. This is the single biggest factor in whether the finished doors and drawer fronts follow the stair line cleanly.
Where the staircase has a winder (a turning section rather than a straight flight), the void shape becomes more complex and the specification should state how that section is handled — often with a fixed panel rather than a working door, since drawer or door mechanisms rarely work well in a tight winder void.
Deep pull-out drawer runners
Pull-out drawers under stairs are often deep and heavy when loaded with shoes, tools or wine bottles, so the runner brand and weight rating should be specified rather than left generic. Full-extension runners are worth specifying by name here because partial-extension runners leave the back of a deep drawer unreachable.
Drawer front shape needs to follow the descending stair line at the top edge, which means each drawer front in a run is a different height and must be cut to that specific measurement — a detail that should be shown in the drawing, not left as a site decision.
Door style and access to the full depth
Push-to-open or hinged doors following the rake need the same hinge and mechanism considerations as any angled cabinetry — hinge count and mechanism brand should be named. For a walk-in style cupboard rather than a shallow storage void, confirm the door swing doesn't clash with the hallway or any adjacent doors when open.
If the under-stairs space is being converted into a mini home office or WC, the quote must address services (power, and any plumbing for a WC) as a separate first-fix item, not folded into the joinery price.
Existing services and structural elements in the void
Meter cupboards, gas or electric services, or a boiler are commonly located under stairs in Kent house stock, and the quote should confirm these are being worked around with adequate access maintained, not boxed in without a service hatch. If gas or electrical isolation valves or consumer units are present, a qualified specialist should confirm access requirements before the joinery is finalised — this is not a decision for the joiner alone.
What cheap quotes miss
Making good to the stair stringer, wall lining and skirting once the old void is cleared, and disposal of any existing understairs cupboard, are common gaps. Confirm too whether the quote includes a full-height template visit before manufacture, since a quote based on a single measurement taken at the front of the void risks an inaccurate fit at the back where the ceiling is lowest.
Common questions
Why does under-stairs storage need templating rather than standard measurements?+
Every staircase has a slightly different pitch and stringer line, and the descending shape of the void needs capturing precisely for doors and drawer fronts to follow it cleanly. A generic assumed angle risks a visible gap along the top edge.
What happens to a winder section of stairs in the storage design?+
Winders create an awkward, tightly angled void that rarely suits a working door or drawer, so this section is often finished with a fixed panel rather than an opening one. Your joiner should explain this trade-off before you agree the design.
Can a boiler or meter cupboard stay under the stairs once storage is fitted?+
It usually can, but access for servicing and any required isolation valves needs to be maintained, and a qualified specialist should confirm what clearance is needed before the joinery design is finalised.
Get your under-stairs space properly templated
We template the exact stair line before we build anything, so drawer fronts and doors follow your stair, not a guess.