Architecture: How a Reconfigured Staircase Can Unlock Your Interior
You might think that changing your staircase would be a major, and unaffordable, project. Think again, says this expert
Hugo Tugman
27 September 2015
Houzz Contributor and founder of Architect Your Home - Interior Your Home, a country-wide network of like minded, qualified architects and designers who specialise in homeowner design projects
Houzz Contributor and founder of Architect Your Home - Interior Your Home, a country-wide... More
Moving or altering your staircase might sound like a huge undertaking, but most staircases are simply pieces of joinery and they can often be adapted or replaced more easily than you might think. The staircase is key to movement and circulation within most homes, and awkward layouts can often be completely unlocked by reworking the position, direction or configuration of the stairs.
So while the effect on your interior space can be seismic, the effect on your budget may well not be. Read on to find out more.
So while the effect on your interior space can be seismic, the effect on your budget may well not be. Read on to find out more.
Try flipping direction
This visually lightweight staircase is not just striking to look at. This long and narrow terraced house originally had a staircase crossing the opposite way, but due to the narrowness of the house, the stairs were very steep.
By flipping the stairs around and starting from a plinth that’s already three steps up, the new arrangement is less vertiginous, allows for better circulation on the first floor (saving contorted corridor space) and means the way through to the rear of the house is directly reached from the front door.
Supporting the stairs on fine steel wires allows daylight from the south-facing front to reach back into the depths of the home.
Find a local staircase and balustrade professional to help with your project.
This visually lightweight staircase is not just striking to look at. This long and narrow terraced house originally had a staircase crossing the opposite way, but due to the narrowness of the house, the stairs were very steep.
By flipping the stairs around and starting from a plinth that’s already three steps up, the new arrangement is less vertiginous, allows for better circulation on the first floor (saving contorted corridor space) and means the way through to the rear of the house is directly reached from the front door.
Supporting the stairs on fine steel wires allows daylight from the south-facing front to reach back into the depths of the home.
Find a local staircase and balustrade professional to help with your project.
Go lateral and double back
Many houses have their staircase running front to back, rising in a hall away from the front door. While this can work very well, in some houses it can narrow the rooms at the front of the house considerably. By relocating the stair position, you can potentially achieve more generously proportioned, wider rooms.
By creating a staircase that runs side to side but doubles back on itself, the front of the house can regain width, as the stairs are using such a space-efficient format. In this case, daylight from above is illuminating the stair position beautifully.
More: Brilliant Ideas for Lighting Your Staircase
Many houses have their staircase running front to back, rising in a hall away from the front door. While this can work very well, in some houses it can narrow the rooms at the front of the house considerably. By relocating the stair position, you can potentially achieve more generously proportioned, wider rooms.
By creating a staircase that runs side to side but doubles back on itself, the front of the house can regain width, as the stairs are using such a space-efficient format. In this case, daylight from above is illuminating the stair position beautifully.
More: Brilliant Ideas for Lighting Your Staircase
Squeeze in a spiral
One way to gain back some of the space an existing staircase takes up is to a replace it with a spiral staircase.
This is a beautifully crafted timber example that takes up very little floor space indeed. Such a stair would be great for access to a single bedroom or maybe to go up to an en-suite bathroom, but it would probably not be practical for the main staircase of a house, particularly if there are multiple occupants, or for anyone who struggles with stairs at all.
One way to gain back some of the space an existing staircase takes up is to a replace it with a spiral staircase.
This is a beautifully crafted timber example that takes up very little floor space indeed. Such a stair would be great for access to a single bedroom or maybe to go up to an en-suite bathroom, but it would probably not be practical for the main staircase of a house, particularly if there are multiple occupants, or for anyone who struggles with stairs at all.
Square the circle
Here, the concept of a spiral staircase has been adapted to be wide enough for general use and also to fit into a square space. The tapered steps all radiate from the centre, but splay out to meet the squared enclosure.
While this kind of staircase can work wonderfully well, it’s not necessarily a space-saving solution. Clearly it requires much less length than a straight flight, but what it saves in length, it takes back in width.
Think carefully about the ideal origin and arrival points of the staircase on both floors for the circulation of each and find the format of staircase that fits best.
Here, the concept of a spiral staircase has been adapted to be wide enough for general use and also to fit into a square space. The tapered steps all radiate from the centre, but splay out to meet the squared enclosure.
While this kind of staircase can work wonderfully well, it’s not necessarily a space-saving solution. Clearly it requires much less length than a straight flight, but what it saves in length, it takes back in width.
Think carefully about the ideal origin and arrival points of the staircase on both floors for the circulation of each and find the format of staircase that fits best.
Combine winders and straight treads
Spiral stairs are made up entirely of wedge-shaped, tapered treads that are commonly known as ‘winders’. However, it’s quite possible, and common, to use a combination of winders and straight treads to find the configuration that fits your interior layout.
In this home, the winders take you up and off to the side before a half-landing and a half-flight of straight treads take you up to make the most of the usable space on the floor above
Spiral stairs are made up entirely of wedge-shaped, tapered treads that are commonly known as ‘winders’. However, it’s quite possible, and common, to use a combination of winders and straight treads to find the configuration that fits your interior layout.
In this home, the winders take you up and off to the side before a half-landing and a half-flight of straight treads take you up to make the most of the usable space on the floor above
Let style be no barrier
It isn’t just contemporary designers who have played with staircase forms. Spiral stairs in stone were the norm in medieval castles and the Georgians loved oval forms and curves.
Winders (as described above) are nothing new and look just as natural here in an oak panelled traditional staircase as they do in the minimalist examples we see so often.
It isn’t just contemporary designers who have played with staircase forms. Spiral stairs in stone were the norm in medieval castles and the Georgians loved oval forms and curves.
Winders (as described above) are nothing new and look just as natural here in an oak panelled traditional staircase as they do in the minimalist examples we see so often.
Twist to turn in (or go straight)
This example demonstrates how stairs can be configured to suit whatever layout and circulation is desired. By placing three winders at the foot of this staircase, the designer has brought the person descending the stair into this room.
With reorganised internal partitions, the flight could just as easily have been run straight down. In this way, it could have been organised so the user would come directly into the space on the left.
More: Staircase Storage Tricks to Steal
This example demonstrates how stairs can be configured to suit whatever layout and circulation is desired. By placing three winders at the foot of this staircase, the designer has brought the person descending the stair into this room.
With reorganised internal partitions, the flight could just as easily have been run straight down. In this way, it could have been organised so the user would come directly into the space on the left.
More: Staircase Storage Tricks to Steal
Perfect your turn
While it’s most common to see a set of winders at the top or foot of a staircase, they can be very effectively used halfway up, as in this example.
The alternative would have been to have half a straight flight to a landing and then the upper half doubling back, but by using winders instead of the landing, the stair becomes more space-efficient.
Remember that the higher your ceilings, the more vertical distance you have to travel and therefore the more treads you will need. More treads mean the staircase will take up more floorspace, so space-saving devices such as winders can really help.
While it’s most common to see a set of winders at the top or foot of a staircase, they can be very effectively used halfway up, as in this example.
The alternative would have been to have half a straight flight to a landing and then the upper half doubling back, but by using winders instead of the landing, the stair becomes more space-efficient.
Remember that the higher your ceilings, the more vertical distance you have to travel and therefore the more treads you will need. More treads mean the staircase will take up more floorspace, so space-saving devices such as winders can really help.
Play with floor levels
In this project, the staircases are the link that allows the whole concept to work. Short, simple, straight flights run back and forth between split levels at the front and rear of this house, creating a wonderful balance of open-plan space with different areas defined by the level they’re on.
You may think this is all very well and can only be achieved where the levels allow, but it’s surprising how many houses are to some extent split-level. Frequently, we come across houses where the rooms at the back are a few steps lower than those at the front and such features can – if desired – be exploited to fantastic architectural effect.
Find more inspiration by browsing staircase photos on Houzz.
In this project, the staircases are the link that allows the whole concept to work. Short, simple, straight flights run back and forth between split levels at the front and rear of this house, creating a wonderful balance of open-plan space with different areas defined by the level they’re on.
You may think this is all very well and can only be achieved where the levels allow, but it’s surprising how many houses are to some extent split-level. Frequently, we come across houses where the rooms at the back are a few steps lower than those at the front and such features can – if desired – be exploited to fantastic architectural effect.
Find more inspiration by browsing staircase photos on Houzz.
Let the light flow
We have seen lots of examples of staircases with light flooding down from above, but in some instances the best position for another flight of stairs (such as up to a loft conversion) would be above the stairs below.
In many instances that new flight above would block the the flow of daylight, but in this example, the upper flight is made with glass treads, allowing the daylight to flood down to the stairs below.
We have seen lots of examples of staircases with light flooding down from above, but in some instances the best position for another flight of stairs (such as up to a loft conversion) would be above the stairs below.
In many instances that new flight above would block the the flow of daylight, but in this example, the upper flight is made with glass treads, allowing the daylight to flood down to the stairs below.
Step outside
If the staircase in your house is really taking up crucial space, there may be the opportunity to reclaim that space and build a new stair enclosure as an extension.
This may seem radical, but if by opening up the interior space you get a fantastic solution internally, putting the stairs off to the side in an extension can be the best solution.
Tell us…
How would you change the staircase in your home? Share your thoughts or photos in the Comments.
If the staircase in your house is really taking up crucial space, there may be the opportunity to reclaim that space and build a new stair enclosure as an extension.
This may seem radical, but if by opening up the interior space you get a fantastic solution internally, putting the stairs off to the side in an extension can be the best solution.
Tell us…
How would you change the staircase in your home? Share your thoughts or photos in the Comments.
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Decorating
Where Do I Start When Renovating or Redecorating My Home?
By Eva Byrne
Keen to get going on a project but not sure where to begin? Read this practical guide to getting started
Full Story
Gardens
How Do I Create a Drought-tolerant Garden?
By Kate Burt
As summers heat up, plants that need less water are increasingly desirable. Luckily, there are lots of beautiful options
Full Story
Architecture
21 Ways Designers Are Incorporating Arches Into Homes
By Kate Burt
Everywhere we look on Houzz right now, a cheeky arch pops up. How would you add this timeless architectural feature?
Full Story
Lifestyle
How to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home
Want to ensure your home environment is clean and healthy? Start by assessing the quality of your air
Full Story
Gardens
Can I Have a Lawn-free Garden That’s Kind to the Environment?
Try these tips to help you plan a garden without grass that’s still leafy and eco-friendly
Full Story
Sustainability
How Can I Incorporate Biodiversity Into My Building Project?
By Kate Burt
If you’re renovating, you have a brilliant opportunity to plan in nature-friendly touches at the outset
Full Story
Lofts
How Do I Begin a Loft Conversion?
Wondering where to start when converting your loft? Ask yourself these questions to ensure you plan well
Full Story
Living Rooms
Where Designers Would Spend and Save in a Living Room
By Cheryl F
It’s your main relaxation space, so what should you splurge or scrimp on in the living room?
Full Story
Architecture
Japan’s Riken Yamamoto Wins the 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize
The architect is known for creating indoor-outdoor homes and buildings that foster a strong sense of community
Full Story
Working with Pros
How to Choose an Electrician
By Cheryl F
From what to ask to getting the best result possible, here’s what to know when you’re hiring an electrician
Full Story
Thank you, that is exactly what I had in mind, hadn't thoguht about losing the cuoboard over the stairs, it's the access to the attic.
We have lived in our house for four years. During this time, I have grown to majorly dislike our hall, stairs and landing. The under stair cupboard is dank and awkward to use, there are three different sized door side by side in the hall and the hall is dark. I wish to open up the stairs, completely replace the strange and hideous balustrade with a clear glass and oak bannister and place another large window under the current one, so you get the benefit of the view in the hall. I have approached several designers and staircase specialists but have little or no response despite chasing. Can anyone recommend someone to help? I’m in East Sussex. Thank you
Hi Angela, I'm Hugo (who wrote this article) and I'd be delighted to help if I can. I am based in West London, but grew up in East Sussex and my Father still lives there so I visit regularly. If you'd like to contact me by email on hugo@tugman.co.uk then we can discuss how I might be able to help.