It looks like you have the same situation I have. This is what I did. I backed the tank up to the stairwell and have a fishroom under the stairs. I LOVE IT, YOU NEED TO DO IT!!!! It will be so much easier to work so on and so on.
Here are a few pics. If you want you are welcome to come by and check it out and get ideas and see how things worked out for me.
- Chris
Sump in fish room
Space under the stand and no noise from filtration.
JUST DO IT, FISHROOMS ARE AWESOME.