loft stairs

spiral stairs to sleeping loft

To conserve tiny house space, consider installing spiral stairs to access a sleeping loft. They would make an ascent or descent easier than any ladder, right?

Spiral stairs from a Washington tiny house

The first spiral stairs come from a jewel-box tiny home built by Zack Giffin, who’s a skier, carpenter and Tiny House Nation host. Over the past three years, Zack (and his partner Molly) traveled to many Western ski areas where they discovered powder secrets and tiny house admirers along the way.

These well crafted stair steps were hand-built by Zack Giffin, in his tiny ski house on wheels. They seem like fine furniture and works of art. (Photo by Michael Dyrland)

These well crafted stair steps were hand-built by Zack Giffin, in his tiny ski house on wheels. They seem like fine furniture and works of art. (Photo by Michael Dyrland)

Notice how the steps rotate around a vertical pole. It enables dwellers to use extra space for seating and other purposes. (Photo by Mark Fisher)

Notice how the steps rotate around a vertical pole. It enables dwellers to use extra space for seating and other purposes. (Photo by Mark Fisher)

Here the tiny house is truly at home, nestled into a ski area parking lot. Everyone inside should be ready for tomorrow's action. (Photo by Michael Dyrland)

Here the tiny house is truly at home, nestled into a ski area parking lot. Everyone inside should be ready for tomorrow’s action. (Photo by Michael Dyrland)

Spiral stairs from a Massachusetts tiny house

The second spiral stairs appear in a tiny house owned by Francis Camosse, a local youth minister. His dream home, a modified Tumbleweed Cypress, was just built by Zack Giffin, local contractors and the Tiny House Nation. Aah, we understand the source of these spiral stairs now.

"Henry Camosse, father of Francis Camosse, climbs the stairs to the loft of his son's tiny house in Charlton," says the Worcester Telegram. (Photo by Paul Connors)

“Henry Camosse, father of Francis Camosse, climbs the stairs to the loft of his son’s tiny house in Charlton,” says the Worcester Telegram. (Photo by Paul Connors)

Francis Camosse's tiny house gets log cabin siding for a sweet rustic look. The tiny is currently located on family land. (Photo by Paul Connors)

Francis Camosse’s tiny house gets log cabin siding for a sweet rustic look. The tiny is currently located on family land. (Photo by Paul Connors)

stair storage, four styles

With stairs rather than ladders accessing sleeping lofts, more people seem attracted to tiny and small house living opportunities. Yet stairs take up valuable square footage, so the space around them should perform double-duty.

Stair storage concepts start with the steps and move to open space beneath them. Storage also may be open to view or well-concealed. In all instances, we appreciate the practical solutions and eye candy.

Using stairs as dresser drawers is a best practice, as seen in one straightforward and solid ascent to the sleeping area. This version is located in a Manhattan apartment. (Dwell)

Using stairs as dresser drawers is a best practice, as seen in one straightfoward and solid ascent to the sleeping area. This version is located in a Manhattan apartment. (Dwell)

With an artful and geometric arrangement of open shelving beneath the stairs, storage gets maximized in this house on wheels. (hOMe, tinyhousebuild.com)

With an artful and geometric arrangement of open shelving beneath the stairs, storage gets maximized in this tiny house on wheels. (hOMe, tinyhousebuild.com)

Here's something different: crates are installed for stairs and small items in a new house on wheels. The family dog accesses the loft easily, too. (Tiny House Giant Journey)

Here’s something different: crates are installed for stairs and small items in a new house on wheels. The family dog accesses the loft easily, too. (Tiny House Giant Journey)

In a Brooklyn apartment, under-stair storage is hidden within a sleek, white wall integrating the staircase. Kitchen items get stored within these walls. (Dwell)

In a Brooklyn apartment, under-stair storage is hidden within a sleek, white wall integrating the staircase. Kitchen items get stored within these walls. (Dwell)

take ladder or stairs to sleep

When moving into a small place, a second-floor sleeping loft or area easily adds usable square footage. Space, mobility and even building codes lead people to selecting ladders or stairs to get there.

Let’s look at the trade-offs between ladder climbing and stair stepping. We’ll start with several staircases already installed in houses. Then we’ll check out ladders, which are nicer and safer than you might imagine.

stairs in a tiny or small house

In Bucharest, a special green home has been on display. It offers stairs with five side storage units, leading up to the bedroom. (Soleta zeroEnergy)

In Bucharest, a special green home has been on display. It offers stairs with five side storage units, leading up to the bedroom. (Soleta zeroEnergy)

In this tiny house, built in Minnesota, well-crafted stairs look like mission furniture with separate storage drawers. (Tiny Green Cabins)

In this tiny house, built in Minnesota, well-crafted stairs look like mission furniture with separate storage drawers. (Tiny Green Cabins)

Another option is to order the Karina stairs kit, which gets delivered with railings, balusters and treads for your own or builder's assembly. (Arke Stairs)

Another option is to order the “Karina” stairs kit, which gets delivered with railings, balusters and treads for your own or builder’s assembly. (Arke Stairs)

ladders in a tiny or small house

This ladder accesses the bedroom area and also provides storage shelves. It's permanently built into a 16'x30' cottage near Blanco, Texas. (Kanga Room Systems)

This ladder accesses the bedroom area and also provides storage shelves. It’s permanently built into a 16’x30′ cottage near Blanco, Texas. (Kanga Room Systems)

In this home near Portland, Oregon, the loft ladder ascends through bookshelves into a quiet and secluded aerie. (Jessica Helgerson)

In this home near Portland, Oregon, the loft ladder ascends through bookshelves into a quiet and secluded aerie. (Jessica Helgerson)

We admire the details in this traditional rolling library ladder, which you place and arrange for an optimal climbing angle. (Tumbleweed Houses)

We admire the details in this traditional rolling library ladder, which you place and arrange for an optimal climbing angle. (Tumbleweed Houses)

Made on Orcas Island, Washington, this substantial wood ladder has large treads and several hand-holds for safety to the second floor. (David Vandervort)

Made on Orcas Island, Washington, this substantial wood ladder has large treads and several hand-holds for safety to the second floor. (David Vandervort)