Looking for top of stairs nook decor that gives an empty corner a little personality? A window seat, a pretty lamp or a wall of favorite pictures gives you plenty to work with.
These images include landing ideas plus under-stair spaces with details you can borrow for upstairs.
You can keep things simple or go all out with shelves and built-in seating. Start with what actually fits your space, leaving the stairs and walkway clear.
Then bring in the little extras you love.
Stairway nook ideas worth saving
floral walls and a cream chair
We’re starting off strong with this pretty cream chair and floral alcove. I love the framed flowers against the leafy wallpaper.
The little round table has just enough room for a cup and a vase.
For a similar landing corner, try a slim floor lamp beside your chair rather than a large table.
an arched mirror and leafy branches
How gorgeous is this dark console? The arched mirror sits between two shaded wall lights, with leafy branches spreading across one side.
If you want to follow this look, keep the smaller decorations low. I’d let that big pale vase be the main detail on the tabletop.
bookshelves around the window
This window seat may just be one of my favorites here. I love the narrow bookshelves on both sides and the curtains gathered away from the glass.
The drawers below the seat are worth borrowing if you’re planning a built-in. You get a place to sit without giving up all that storage.
a staircase full of books
The book lovers are going to love this! White shelves follow the side of the staircase, including the little triangular space beneath the steps.
This is beside the stairs rather than an upstairs nook, but the mix of books and small framed pictures would look lovely on landing shelves too.
a tiny house beneath the stairs
How cute is that polka-dot awning? This under-stair nook looks like a little house, with an open doorway, a window opening and black shutters decorated with bows.
There’s even a small desk and chair inside. If you’re borrowing anything for an upstairs play corner, those little wreaths are an adorable starting point.
a desk on the landing
If you are looking for a way to use a roomy landing, this one is for you. A white desk fits along the wall with drawers underneath and shelves on either side.
Read also: 20 Space Saving Bedroom Ideas With Clever Storage and Small-Room Layouts
I love the little table lamp tucked into the setup. Keep your chair fully out of the stair route if you’re trying a similar arrangement.
pale blue window seating
I am obsessed with this little window seat. The pale blue pillows and diamond-patterned shade are so pretty together.
The wall lights leave the seat free for a throw and an open book. You don’t need to squeeze a side table into every nook!
colorful frames and a round mirror
Don’t have space for a chair? Try taking your decorating up the wall instead.
These colorful prints run alongside the stairs, with a round mirror and small plants on a dark ledge.
I especially love the pink steps reflected in the mirror. For your own version, carry one color from the artwork into a nearby detail.
a leafy gallery corner
If you are looking for lots of plant inspiration, then this one is for you. There’s greenery on the shelf, in a hanging pot and even inside the decorative black cage.
The framed pictures make this feel like more than a plant display. Choose plants suited to your window’s light if you want to try something similar.
a green lamp and brown drawers
Not gonna lie, that bumpy green lamp is my favorite part of this corner! Its striped shade looks so good beside the small portrait and pale flowers.
Try this chest-of-drawers idea on a wider landing. A couple of stacked books under a vase would be a pretty finishing touch.
checked seating under the slope
This is another reading nook with plenty of shelves, but the long checked cushion makes it a little different. I love the dark throws at both ends.
Here, the seat sits beneath the stairs. You could borrow the same low seating idea for an upstairs alcove with a sloped ceiling.
a round chair and floating shelves
How adorable is that cloud-shaped pillow? The large round seat fills this little room, with a dark throw draped across it.
Books, pictures and small decorations share the shelves above. If your nook already has one big seat, a tiny side table like this gives you somewhere to put your cup.
a scalloped wall of pictures
I am obsessed with this scalloped paint edge. The muted purple follows the staircase behind a mix of small and large frames.
You could carry that same border onto a landing wall. Keep the mismatched frames if you like this collected look, rather than making every picture match.
striped seating and floral pillows
This striped bench is so pretty with the floral pillows. The white drawers underneath and tall bookshelf beside it make good use of the space beneath the staircase.
For an upstairs version, try a striped seat cushion with a couple of patterned pillows. I’d keep the little shaded reading light too.
a little sofa beneath the books
This may be an under-stair corner, but there’s so much to borrow for a landing nook. I love the gray seating, pale pillows and trailing plants.
The string lights follow the slope above the shelves. If you’re trying a similar look upstairs, keep the throw on the seat rather than letting it spill into the walkway.
golden walls and a patterned bench
Who says a little landing has to stay plain? This one has a golden wall with small repeating motifs, framed bird artwork and a blue-and-white patterned seat.
I especially love the single decorative pillow by the window. There’s already plenty of pattern here, so I’d leave the rest of the bench just like this.
a piano and vintage-style portraits
If you love decorating around a piano, this corner has such pretty details. A pale curved mirror sits above it beside a little group of portraits.
You don’t need a piano to borrow the arrangement. Try a shaped mirror and three small framed pictures above a landing cabinet instead.
a gold-colored ribbon sculpture
Don’t want books, pillows or lots of little decorations? No problem!
This corner keeps things simple with one twisting gold-colored sculpture on a tall veined pedestal.
I love how the loops curl in different directions. A piece like this needs its own spot away from the stair edge and passing elbows.
a rocking chair among the plants
How cute is this rocking chair with those blue patchwork-style pillows? The big green leaves and framed bird pictures make the corner feel full of things to look at.
Read also: 20 Knotty Pine Cabin Decor Ideas With Checks, Color and Woodland Details
Try a small side table like the one here if your landing has room. Remember to leave space behind a rocking chair as well as in front.
open shelves for folded linens
Last but definitely not least, we have this under-stair storage nook. I love the neat stacks of pale linens beside the basket and little boxes.
For a landing version, you could use a recessed shelving area for folded bedding and baskets. Keep the larger stacks low and leave a shelf for a few pretty storage containers.
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And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Isabella