A few months ago, we posted an article that asked: LADDER vs. STAIRCASE, which would you choose for your Tiny House RV? The overwhelming opinion was that a staircase was preferred, but only if it didn’t overwhelm the living space. It sounds like we need to get creative!
Below you’ll find FIVE SPACE SAVING STAIRCASE IDEAS to get your inventive juices flowing.
1). Japanese Tansu Steps
Japanese Tansu Steps are available for purchase, but if you’re looking to save some cash, try building them yourself. Start from scratch or modify an existing bookshelf. Stack and secure wood storage boxes or antique crates (such as Tiny House Giant Journey did in the video below).
Tansu Step Cabinet. Image credit: Pinterest
2). Tiny Spiral Staircase
In a tiny space, an average-sized spiral staircase will dominate the great room. So if you’re interested in this aesthetic for your Tiny House RV, you’ll have to get creative and think tinier. Molly and Zack’s tiny spiral staircase design (1st image Photo Credit: Mark Fisher) was featured on the TV show Tiny House Nation. Francis Camosse used this same design in his Tiny House RV (2nd image Photo credit: Telegram.com).
3). Alternating Tread Staircase
This form of climbing might take some getting used to (ask any sailor), but it’s a great space saver. After a few climbs, you’ll start to remember: right, left, right, left. Muscle memory will have you ascending and descending with ease.
First photo is from Tiny House Living. Second photo credit: Stylish Eve
4). Folding Staircase
Wouldn’t it be nice to retract or fold away your staircase when not in use? Perhaps the above example is a bit steep (almost a ladder), but with the right handrail it could work! For a bit of whimsy, enjoy the innovative “Disappearing Staircase” design below. In what other ways could we fold away our stairs?
Photo credit: Loft Centre Products
5). Repurposed Staircase
Remember the stairs from your childhood playground or bunkbed? Could you find a similar set that could be repurposed for your Tiny House RV? Maybe you could snag a set of steps from a dilapidated sailboat or manipulate a set of “pet steps?” Check your local resale shop, garage sales, estate sales and craigslist. Keep searching! Who knows, you might find the perfect set of stairs for free!
Could you repurpose these stairs? Photocredit: Mental Floss
Want to do it yourself? Learn how to make the above staircase from a set of IKEA storage shelves, click here
YOUR TURN! Share your creative staircase ideas below!
