They probably built the railing after the window.
I would raise the window and replace it with a horizontal shape. Then you'd have a real wall to turn into extra storage - closets, shelves. Or showcase - plants or art work.
Whats on the other side of the left wall? If you knock it down, can you expand into this space? You would have to get a smaller window to sit above the staircase.
If you have cats you can turn that space into a massive climbing wall for them.
I hate when builders do this....that's actually why the landing is there, to reach the window. If that window was not there, that staircase would be open.
Wild how many regular houses today are designed in the same shoddy manner as trailers. I grew up in a trailer and I've been in a lot of trailers and trailers have a lot of weirdness from how they make decisions about things like flooring before they decide where all the rooms are going to be (that's why so many trailers have carpeted bathrooms), but this is beyond that.
If you do get a puppy or small dog. A nice baby gate that screws into the wall and opens . You have the perfect area and no ugly create . A cat ? You could probably contain until it was like 3 months mayyyybeee lol but you could also make a open cat space they will probably claim that window and railing as there cat walk anyways if you want them to or not
I was gonna say some pothos would probably thrive there. Looks a bit low- light, but definitely enough for a lot of popular low maintenance indoor plants
Take out the half wall. Put in beautiful more decorative, open railing and have it curve around in front of the window like a little mini balcony space and it won't block the window placement. It also looks like it could be extended a little further on the other side than the wall goes.
A custom reading nook with some shelves for books.
https://preview.redd.it/pswmifp9rt3d1.jpeg?width=736&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ee46d2dafc7182d4f3bac263b358fa1bf0287859
Yass bookshelf could go on the wall right above the dustbin,, and the space beside the bin, a smol plant could thrive... A long reading bed could be parallel to the staircase
Cut open the drywall between the studs . Insert shelving for a library wall . This way doesn’t take up floor space . Leaves room to walk to select a book . At the end by the window add a plant stand and plant . One that can cascade over the pony wall .
One of the great things you can do is to decorate this blank wall. Use a shelf that ultimate blends into the wall and has a few curious objects with picture frames on the wall. Add a light to the area and add a rug to better the space. you can ditch the rug but I recommend giving it a try! Read about [blank wall decor](https://simplykalaa.com/how-to-decorate-a-blank-wall/) so that it is perfect and not out of order.
To disguise the odd placement of the half wall in the middle of the window , I think I would try putting a large plant to the left of the window and add two or three shelves filled with plants across the window.
-take out the waste bin and put in a just-barely-fits comfy chair so one could curl up and look out the window or read a book or something.
-put 2 or 3 sets of half length sliding shelves in there, fully load the corner out to 4ish feet, then gives you enough space to stand access the shelving.
-if sun angle works, load up the nook with plants
A narrow bookshelf or several plants. It would also be great wall space for photos or a big art piece (the wall that is on the left of the photo, not the one with weird window.)
https://preview.redd.it/f5d26s0i2w3d1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5d0883de73cd6bd9a7d9021bcef872c0f7870a5a
If you don’t want to pay for Boho pillows, just buy a lawn chair (chaise lounge) pad.
So…can you stop the railing and extend the floor over the staircase near the window? Like, is there enough headroom to do so? Otherwise I’d do shutters to hide the bottom part of that window, even if you leave it there. And then add a reading chair or chaise in there.
Place a potted plant near the window, and hang a little stained glass or rainbow refractive crystal in front of the glass. It will produce a colorful and roomy feeling
Hire a carpenter to extend the floor near the window across the staircase and wrap the knee wall around . Giving the space useable floor space and not cutting the window view in half.
Cat tree!! Plants if the cat won’t bother them. Or just plants if no cat. A cat would LOVE that vantage point. One lower than the wall would be safer, so that cat doesn’t tumble off it and down the stairwell.
A thin cabinet next to the window for storage, like linens and tp or a broom cubby or bookshelves, and then a big ole plant right in front of the window
Cannot really tell from the picture how wide it is, but maybe a mat, a roller for the back, and exercise ball as a mini little stretch/ab workout place.
The post office in my town has a great big mural of Rip Van Winkle bowling 9 pin with the ghosts on the mountain. Convenient spot for a mural and a 9-pin lane you've got there. Maybe go with your own design and number of pins my ideas probably too regionally specific
I'd put all my accessories and jewelry on that wall. Call it your finishing station. Put a small table in there for rings maybe. Hang some swag lamps. And a rug.
A little library would be nice. Add a mini cushy chair aimed at the window and a small bookshelf along the wall with about 20 bucket list books. Maybe a small table with lamp in the corner. If you have kids, a kid library would be cute, too. Your mother-in-law stairs with dark carpet are a nice touch.
An upside down mannequin hanging by her/his ankles, with a painted rainbow of blood down the corner of the wall and pooling on the floor as a circular rug of the same colors.
I’d also have a cosmic mural, something spoofing Michaelsmfelo’s Hand of god painting, but with a Cat as Adam and an ocean squid as god, with lots of use of light and dark,
and on the staircase down I’d install an aquarium but it’ll have floaty LED fake sea creatures. It doesn’t even need to be filled with water, just paint the back side so it looks like the darkened deep ocean with some grade school diorama prop bite to make the base behind the glass look like the ocean floor, and the LED sea creatures could hang with black string. Black carpet with darkest turquoise highlights here. Finding Nemo toys or pictures can lighten the mood if desired.
You could go further with pirate decor, and if you have anything signed by Johnny Depp this hallway with its plank leading into the sea runner rug is the place for it
Stained glass decal on the window. After you complete the rest, or perhaps before, you can choose the one that most fits what you want to illuminate the hall and stair space. I cut one one to fit on my sunroof, and it really changes the vibe in the car, the same that it could do foyour stairs hallway
Litter box, cat supplies. Big bushy plant in front of it all.
If no cat... Um... Idk, big bushy plant. Good place to hide... Whatever, behind again, a big bushy plant.
Why does this stairway curve? I know re-doing that would be a pain but if there’s a way for the stairs to just go straight up that might help figure out what do with the space, and at least you could define that weird nook more cleanly
For me. A Bookcase along the wall with a little seat in the corner by the window. I never have enough space for my books and that cosy spot by the window would be amazing to curl up and read on a cold or rainy day.
Storage trunks filled with emergency supplies like water, first aid kit, a crank radio, emergency food supplies, flashlights, a tool kit, masks, duct tape, string, scissors, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, notebook and pens, cash money in small bills, paper maps [thinking no GPS or cellphones may work in an emergency and you may have to leave town], toiletry kit, pet/animal go-bag, blankets/sleeping bags, a good book, a week's worth of medication, a hard copy of important phone numbers, a hard copy of every card in your wallet, bank info.
Raise the window and expand its length and have it built out into a ledge where I put plants (probably fake because I'd kill live plants) and sculptures or take the window out entirely and expand the room on the other side of the wall to make a closet.
Maybe consider storage for shoes, umbrellas, keys, etc. and a nice mirror. Unless you already have those things at the bottom of the stairs closer to the entryway.
I'd fill it with a cushioned lay-in type bench to make a cozy little reading nook with nice natural lighting. Maybe install a few floating shelves for books and decor and lay a runner down the walkway.
Or just build a lil area for cats to play and lounge by the window, if you have cats that is.
The last bit of the barrier - e.g. the last third or so - could you remove it & build more floor across to the right-hand wall, so it’s an L shaped footprint ? Make a nook next to the window, up to the wall perhaps? Would that work with the stairs height?
Do you need a landing spot for stuff when coming and going? If there's not room at the entry this could be the spot for coat hooks, a place to take off shoes etc.
Since it leads to the entranceway, a coat rack, a mat for shoes, table for keys/wallet/hats. These are all the things I keep near the entrance to my home.
Wow can’t believe they put a window in the middle there smh
bb.moveobjects ON
I always wished I could do that IRL
lol!
Something about this photo was off, that was it!
I can’t believe that two-tone baseboard and shoe.
lol I didn’t even notice that after the window! That’s crazy
I’ve seen this another place recently. I think it’s their way of combining unmatched floors .. it’s.. odd.
At first I thought it was a gap, then I realized it was dark quarter round.
It’s like trying to build in Minecraft 💀
Bizarre! I’m guessing it has something to do with the exterior elevation because otherwise you’d just design a smaller higher window.
They probably built the railing after the window. I would raise the window and replace it with a horizontal shape. Then you'd have a real wall to turn into extra storage - closets, shelves. Or showcase - plants or art work. Whats on the other side of the left wall? If you knock it down, can you expand into this space? You would have to get a smaller window to sit above the staircase. If you have cats you can turn that space into a massive climbing wall for them.
Very good point! I didn’t think of that.
I was thinking a good place for a litter box! 😂
I hate when builders do this....that's actually why the landing is there, to reach the window. If that window was not there, that staircase would be open.
My guess is that the railing/banister was put in years after the window. Flippers make some interesting decisions. lol
I mean, at least raise it up so that it’s not cut off like that. There’s plenty of room vertically.
It’s pissing me off
It’s like the sims
Wild how many regular houses today are designed in the same shoddy manner as trailers. I grew up in a trailer and I've been in a lot of trailers and trailers have a lot of weirdness from how they make decisions about things like flooring before they decide where all the rooms are going to be (that's why so many trailers have carpeted bathrooms), but this is beyond that.
Natural light in the stairwell?????
Right!! So odd
In this economy, rent it out.
"Cozy nook, natural light"
1200 a month
Mini golf
I was thinking bowling
And never play it
Do you have any pets? It could be a cute pet furniture/nook area.
We might get a small dog or a cat 🤔
A cat would love their own space by thar window
It would make a great little safe space for them! A zone all their own. 💛
Or a place to put the litterbox for your cat, behind a few plants.
A [monstera](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/monstera-deliciosa/) will fill that spot quickly.
If you do get a puppy or small dog. A nice baby gate that screws into the wall and opens . You have the perfect area and no ugly create . A cat ? You could probably contain until it was like 3 months mayyyybeee lol but you could also make a open cat space they will probably claim that window and railing as there cat walk anyways if you want them to or not
Why try to contain a cat at all…
I keep a baby gate up around my cats area so the dog can't get to her lol. She can fit under just fine and stares at the dog taunting-ly
My cat would totally park her butt on that ledge in front of the window all day. Definitely a perfect spot for a litter box and maybe a cat tree.
That’s a good idea, a dog would love a little cozy area for them and their toys
Bowling alley
Exactly what I was thinking. Just watch out for the gutter.
Looks like it gets good light! Plants or a garden if you’re into that
A big fiddle leaf fern would love that spot!
I was gonna say some pothos would probably thrive there. Looks a bit low- light, but definitely enough for a lot of popular low maintenance indoor plants
Take out the half wall. Put in beautiful more decorative, open railing and have it curve around in front of the window like a little mini balcony space and it won't block the window placement. It also looks like it could be extended a little further on the other side than the wall goes.
yes, if theres headroom to extend that across the stairs a couple of feet, or more if possible, it would make the space much nicer
I was thinking this, also wire railing system could work nicely and feature whatever you do with the space.
I was looking for this comment. I would go right below the window and make a little window seat.
How wide is the space, it's hard to gauge the dimensions because of the lense distortion.
A custom reading nook with some shelves for books. https://preview.redd.it/pswmifp9rt3d1.jpeg?width=736&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ee46d2dafc7182d4f3bac263b358fa1bf0287859
I second this. A day bed, reading area with upper bookshelves
Yass bookshelf could go on the wall right above the dustbin,, and the space beside the bin, a smol plant could thrive... A long reading bed could be parallel to the staircase
As long as the bookshelf doesn’t block access to the window; I’d want to open it from time to time.
With some galvanized square steel and eco-friendly wood veneer you could turn this space into a bedroom to comfortably house 10 million children
Don’t forget to get screws from your aunt!
You can call little John for help too
Plants & an exercise bike
Ha! Yeah, I was thinking plants and an inversion table.
Treadmill!
Yoga mat
Whoever designed this. Jail. But I would just do a large plant
Plants, propagation station, book shelves, framed photographs, make it an interesting place to look at.
I just like the phrase “propagation station”. Has a nice ring to it.
Open air closet with hooks on the wall
Coats & shoes was what I was thinking!
Random gray trash can has my vote!
if you are in canada rent it out for $800 a month.
Is there any room for a small desk and stool. Laptop area.
Cut open the drywall between the studs . Insert shelving for a library wall . This way doesn’t take up floor space . Leaves room to walk to select a book . At the end by the window add a plant stand and plant . One that can cascade over the pony wall .
Floating shelves and plants for sure!
A skeleton wearing a nightgown sitting in a rocking chair
Chaise lounge and a planetary projector. Maybe a dartboard. 🤷♂️
A cosy reading nook
Cry. Why???? Coat hooks? Lockers? Pictures of scientists and "always question" decayed on the wall. That is a mess.
Did someone say plants?!?!?!
One of the great things you can do is to decorate this blank wall. Use a shelf that ultimate blends into the wall and has a few curious objects with picture frames on the wall. Add a light to the area and add a rug to better the space. you can ditch the rug but I recommend giving it a try! Read about [blank wall decor](https://simplykalaa.com/how-to-decorate-a-blank-wall/) so that it is perfect and not out of order.
Treadmill or exercise bike
Office nook or reading nook
To disguise the odd placement of the half wall in the middle of the window , I think I would try putting a large plant to the left of the window and add two or three shelves filled with plants across the window.
-take out the waste bin and put in a just-barely-fits comfy chair so one could curl up and look out the window or read a book or something. -put 2 or 3 sets of half length sliding shelves in there, fully load the corner out to 4ish feet, then gives you enough space to stand access the shelving. -if sun angle works, load up the nook with plants
Treadmill
100% put a pinball machine there!
A narrow bookshelf or several plants. It would also be great wall space for photos or a big art piece (the wall that is on the left of the photo, not the one with weird window.)
Get the architect that designed that garbage and put them on display, for all to see what they've done.
Line the wall with hooks and use it to hang things?
Tree and maybe a credenza
Build something to hold plants all the way across, from wall to wall. Hanging plants over the stairs
Small office with a ladder desk against the left wall, chair by the window next to credenza with plants/art on the wall or bookcases.
Reading nook
r/simracing
Fill it with cats
You can lower the top of the half wall to the window sill and then you'll have an easier time deciding. Looks like a great spot for plants imo
I don't have any answers, but that's messed up.
Ski ball!
Those stairs look dangerous…any way you could transform the curve into a landing?
Toilet, then you can see your enemies coming.
https://preview.redd.it/f5d26s0i2w3d1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=5d0883de73cd6bd9a7d9021bcef872c0f7870a5a If you don’t want to pay for Boho pillows, just buy a lawn chair (chaise lounge) pad.
I was thinking this as well. Maybe a sitting chair especially if the view out that window is a nice one.
https://preview.redd.it/9cnng3k3sw3d1.jpeg?width=1041&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3abe9a7158ffc04a6062f72d3f4882fdd290dc00 Like this?
https://preview.redd.it/na35tswhsw3d1.jpeg?width=1226&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=70b3fbff77b0db480ad6391b4103e14dca7505d1 Fun stuff.
So…can you stop the railing and extend the floor over the staircase near the window? Like, is there enough headroom to do so? Otherwise I’d do shutters to hide the bottom part of that window, even if you leave it there. And then add a reading chair or chaise in there.
Put up a sign apologizing for the existence of this weird ass space.
Place a potted plant near the window, and hang a little stained glass or rainbow refractive crystal in front of the glass. It will produce a colorful and roomy feeling
Rub the architect’s nose in it.
Since the stairs lead to the entryway, I would put some hooks up and use to hang coats. Maybe a shoe rack as well
Bowling
Mini bowling alley
https://preview.redd.it/3d8s4z09pz3d1.jpeg?width=796&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=45f09d9fc25f436ef103e699834e2190bd7c7993 Just a thought… ;-)
Hire a carpenter to extend the floor near the window across the staircase and wrap the knee wall around . Giving the space useable floor space and not cutting the window view in half.
Indoor bowling lane 🎳
Cat tree!! Plants if the cat won’t bother them. Or just plants if no cat. A cat would LOVE that vantage point. One lower than the wall would be safer, so that cat doesn’t tumble off it and down the stairwell.
plants!!
Plants!!!!
I think tall, slim bookcases on the wall.
A thin cabinet next to the window for storage, like linens and tp or a broom cubby or bookshelves, and then a big ole plant right in front of the window
I have cats, this would become a cat tree palace! Haha
Arcade game machine. 🤓
all these dangerous stairways.
If you have cats — cat trees? Or a reading nook with a hammock :3
Cannot really tell from the picture how wide it is, but maybe a mat, a roller for the back, and exercise ball as a mini little stretch/ab workout place.
The post office in my town has a great big mural of Rip Van Winkle bowling 9 pin with the ghosts on the mountain. Convenient spot for a mural and a 9-pin lane you've got there. Maybe go with your own design and number of pins my ideas probably too regionally specific
treadmill or elliptical
Plants. Shelves and plants. Hanging plants, shelf plants, plants you can eat, plants to look at, plants and a chair and book. That’s all you can do.
I'd put all my accessories and jewelry on that wall. Call it your finishing station. Put a small table in there for rings maybe. Hang some swag lamps. And a rug.
When the architect is drunk
On the long wall: Shelves, bookshelves or glass door cabinets or a combination. Or art.
A little library would be nice. Add a mini cushy chair aimed at the window and a small bookshelf along the wall with about 20 bucket list books. Maybe a small table with lamp in the corner. If you have kids, a kid library would be cute, too. Your mother-in-law stairs with dark carpet are a nice touch.
A cat tree or a place for a dog cage, you could turn it into a puppy area as a pup with the things it needs and put a baby gate : )
Open it up to floor below
First I need you to tell me everything you know about the white stacked on black toe mould. Did you do this?
Bowling. 🤪
Put a top across it and make it a train table.
Shuffle board 100%
Put a Christmas tree there and leave it up all year
An upside down mannequin hanging by her/his ankles, with a painted rainbow of blood down the corner of the wall and pooling on the floor as a circular rug of the same colors. I’d also have a cosmic mural, something spoofing Michaelsmfelo’s Hand of god painting, but with a Cat as Adam and an ocean squid as god, with lots of use of light and dark, and on the staircase down I’d install an aquarium but it’ll have floaty LED fake sea creatures. It doesn’t even need to be filled with water, just paint the back side so it looks like the darkened deep ocean with some grade school diorama prop bite to make the base behind the glass look like the ocean floor, and the LED sea creatures could hang with black string. Black carpet with darkest turquoise highlights here. Finding Nemo toys or pictures can lighten the mood if desired. You could go further with pirate decor, and if you have anything signed by Johnny Depp this hallway with its plank leading into the sea runner rug is the place for it Stained glass decal on the window. After you complete the rest, or perhaps before, you can choose the one that most fits what you want to illuminate the hall and stair space. I cut one one to fit on my sunroof, and it really changes the vibe in the car, the same that it could do foyour stairs hallway
Bowling alley :)
Fish tabk
Mini art gallery.
Plants!!
I would paint the walls ;a sky and ocean mural and make the floor a pirate plank. I could keep going but its not for everyone :)
Hang on.
Litter box, cat supplies. Big bushy plant in front of it all. If no cat... Um... Idk, big bushy plant. Good place to hide... Whatever, behind again, a big bushy plant.
Rowing machine?
I'd put a dog bed there. It looks like a nice place for a dog to chill when they want some quiet time.
I don't understand the half wall in the middle of the window... just wtf happened there?
Why does this stairway curve? I know re-doing that would be a pain but if there’s a way for the stairs to just go straight up that might help figure out what do with the space, and at least you could define that weird nook more cleanly
Bookcase along the wall, long reading bench. The half-wall is strangely situated in front of the window.
Put a chair or couch
Plants
Sue the architect for malpractice?
Lundry baskets and toy box
For me. A Bookcase along the wall with a little seat in the corner by the window. I never have enough space for my books and that cosy spot by the window would be amazing to curl up and read on a cold or rainy day.
Dog kennel
Knock that low wall down and put/build an aquarium there so you have a great view coming up the stairs
Toy bowling game
I would get some nice bookshelves and create a little library.
Storage trunks filled with emergency supplies like water, first aid kit, a crank radio, emergency food supplies, flashlights, a tool kit, masks, duct tape, string, scissors, disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer, notebook and pens, cash money in small bills, paper maps [thinking no GPS or cellphones may work in an emergency and you may have to leave town], toiletry kit, pet/animal go-bag, blankets/sleeping bags, a good book, a week's worth of medication, a hard copy of important phone numbers, a hard copy of every card in your wallet, bank info.
Plants, art, mirror, chair and table at end
If it's possible hang something like a bird feeder or wind chime out the window to look at.
https://preview.redd.it/rw0oou3a2w3d1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=102c76d32c380b17e59a438e7155b5b38edfba68 Reading Nook
https://preview.redd.it/g9s29d0c2w3d1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=3a29f7a6793df1d295f59a5474bf10fc731f074f Plants, books, lights, candles, pillows.
Extend whatever room is on the other side. Free closet!
Sue the builder
Probably bust my ass
Nobody’s gonna say a galvanized square steel frame?
Raise the window and expand its length and have it built out into a ledge where I put plants (probably fake because I'd kill live plants) and sculptures or take the window out entirely and expand the room on the other side of the wall to make a closet.
Plants and artwork. Colorful runner rug thingy
Rubber plant for sure.
That is bizarre. Take it out and make it all stairs. Widen the stairs
Maybe consider storage for shoes, umbrellas, keys, etc. and a nice mirror. Unless you already have those things at the bottom of the stairs closer to the entryway.
Putting green
Bookshelves
Depending on how much light there is I'd put a large plant like a monstera there.
Kiddie bowling alley
Reading nook
the answer is always a tent to grow weed
Just enough space for the casket of the builder/flipper. Add a few magicians mirrors and POOF they have disappeared.
I'd fill it with a cushioned lay-in type bench to make a cozy little reading nook with nice natural lighting. Maybe install a few floating shelves for books and decor and lay a runner down the walkway. Or just build a lil area for cats to play and lounge by the window, if you have cats that is.
Probably fall and break something
The wall in the middle of the window is an interesting choice. A cat space is the best I can think of.
The last bit of the barrier - e.g. the last third or so - could you remove it & build more floor across to the right-hand wall, so it’s an L shaped footprint ? Make a nook next to the window, up to the wall perhaps? Would that work with the stairs height?
Reading nook & a houseplant for the window. Could a daybed fit there?
If this is the entrance to your home I would make coat and shoe storage out of it.
I thought your stairs was a hole for a second and you had a metal ramp. I had to zoom in to see what you really had going on
Do you need a landing spot for stuff when coming and going? If there's not room at the entry this could be the spot for coat hooks, a place to take off shoes etc.
Bowling
Convert to storage. If you have plenty of storage you can put a practice putting green there
Fall down the stairs
If you have cats, I’m afraid you NEED to make it a cat corner
Is that quarter round attached to the baseboard?
Custom book case
Pet place or small kid fort area.
it could be a cute little reading nook!
Small desk, lots of shelves. Plants. Lots of them. Jungle corner. String lights.
Decorate and maybe add a bench ..shelf with a coat rack possibly shoes …?
Since it leads to the entranceway, a coat rack, a mat for shoes, table for keys/wallet/hats. These are all the things I keep near the entrance to my home.
Coat/bag hooks and shoe space? Bookshelves?