Loft Ladder vs real stairs

[jessc]

I see so many beautiful tiny homes with steep ladders that look like a workout just to go to bed. I am leaning toward storage stairs because I need a place for my shoes but I am worried they take up too much floor space in a twenty foot trailer. Do you prefer the extra room you get with a ladder or is having a safe climb at night worth the lost square footage? If I were younger steep ladder would've been aceptable, but not anymore.

 

[valak*]

@jessc So... I went with a ladder to keep my living area open and I regret it every time I have to get up in the middle of the night. Such a hassle.
It's fine when you are wide awake but using those rungs while sleepy is a genuine safety risk. Almost fell one time. I'm currently looking at designs for a "ships ladder" which is a hybrid that is steeper than stairs but has actual treads for your feet.

 

[bigwonderer]

I see so many beautiful tiny homes with steep ladders that look like a workout just to go to bed. I am leaning toward storage stairs because I need a place for my shoes but I am worried they take up too much floor space in a twenty foot trailer. Do you prefer the extra room you get with a ladder or is having a safe climb at night worth the lost square footage? If I were younger steep ladder would've been aceptable, but not anymore.

Storage stairs are the only way to go if you plan on living tiny long term. I managed to fit my entire wardrobe and a small pantry inside the risers of my staircase. It takes up a lot of floor space but it replaces three separate pieces of furniture that I no longer need to buy. But you try if it works for you.

 

[dawsonlems]

Have you considered a spiral staircase made of thin steel? It has a very small footprint and it looks like a piece of art in the middle of the room. It doesn't offer any storage but it is much easier on the knees than a vertical ladder and it adds a lot of character to the interior.

 

[Dieg$]

I see so many beautiful tiny homes with steep ladders that look like a workout just to go to bed. I am leaning toward storage stairs because I need a place for my shoes but I am worried they take up too much floor space in a twenty foot trailer. Do you prefer the extra room you get with a ladder or is having a safe climb at night worth the lost square footage? If I were younger steep ladder would've been aceptable, but not anymore.

I use a telescoping ladder that I can tuck away in a closet during the day. It keeps the tiny house feeling massive because there is nothing blocking the view from one end to the other. You just have to make sure you get a high quality model that doesn't rattle or flex when you climb it. Still a ladder but spacer saver type.

 

[kgaye]

Does your loft have enough head room to actually stand up at the top of the stairs? If you can only crawl in the loft then a ladder makes more sense. I find that building a "landing" at the top of the stairs makes it much easier to transition from standing to crawling into bed. Hoep that helps.