Real estate is quite pricey these days, so every little bit of space you get in your house matters. One of the main goals for an experienced home decorator is to combine the practical with the aesthetic to maximize the space you have and fulfill your décor goals.

If you live in a multi-story house, you’ve probably had to deal with the unsightly view of that sizable, unused gap of space underneath your stairs. It’s something I’m sure we’ve all looked at and at least once wondered if there was a way to utilize it more effectively. The following are six intelligent ways to economize on that small bit of real estate starting now.

1. Build a Mini-Garden

If you can attach a small series of shelves, a few large shelves, or a tension rod underneath your stairs, you can add over a dozen different plants and flowers. Either placed within your shelves or hung from tension rods, plants can be a great way to add a bit of natural flair to your space. Not enough light in the area for plants? Look for low light or even artificial plants for the same effect.

2. Build a Small Bookcase

Bibliophiles rejoice! Like the first recommendation, if you can build a small series of shelves underneath your stairs, it becomes possible to store different items, and one of the best things you can place there is a nice and tidy set of books. Who doesn’t want to have their own little library after all? It can serve as an excellent reminder to you to read regularly and showcase your interests in a subtle way to your guests.

3. Build a Small Bar

Speaking of guests, if you often have company over to enjoy libations, why not convert that awkward space into an effective drink-dispensing area? Add a little stand, a few cabinets for storage, and maybe even a few stools if you have room. It’s a great option that might spark some interesting conversations and free up some space in another area of your home as well.

4. Store your Laundry Machines

Laundry machines are becoming increasingly smaller and more compact with every passing year. So why not take advantage of this fact and install your laundry machine right down below your stairs so that you can use the space you previously had for laundry machines for other purposes? This project, however, is a little more involved. Be sure to consult a professional about moving your laundry hookups before you get started.

5. Store your Wine

While storing wine in your basement is the more traditional, and dare I say the sophisticated thing to do, it might not be the most practical. If you’re not storing a literal ton of wine, the buildout on a full-sized temperature-controlled wine storage room might not be worth the cost. Maybe you’d rather have your wine cellar converted into a game room or used for any other purpose anyway. So, it’s worth at least considering utilizing that space underneath your stairs to store wine, even if you’ve always kept your wine elsewhere.

6. Make a Home Office

As more of us shorten our commute from 30 minutes in traffic to a walk down the hall while working from home, it can be challenging to find room for a dedicated home office. This simple solution involves hanging a wide, sturdy shelf to use as a desk and adding a chair that can move out of the way quickly when not in use. Adding decorative storage for your office supplies will help keep the space visually appealing and clutter-free.