Architecture: How You Can Make More of Your Staircase
More than a route to other levels, stairs can provide storage space and wow as a design feature, too. Explore this, ahem, step-by-step guide
Brian O'Tuama
24 July 2015
Houzz contributor and architect and founder of Brian O'Tuama Architects. This established architecture and interiors practice takes pride in innovative design solutions, whether a project is a refurbishment or a new-build, commercial or residential.
Houzz contributor and architect and founder of Brian O'Tuama Architects. This established... More
As well as serving a practical function – a means to circulate between floors or levels – stairs can also act as a strong focal point in a home, and hide substantial useful storage, too. They should also, of course, be enjoyable to use, given the amount of time we spend ascending and descending them over the course of a lifetime. Browse these inspiring staircases for ideas.
Why not multi-task?
In this beautiful design, storage has been incorporated in the form of a library wall, with a reading desk squeezed on to the landing. With property prices escalating in many of our cities, it really makes sense for elements in your home to serve more than one purpose.
In this beautiful design, storage has been incorporated in the form of a library wall, with a reading desk squeezed on to the landing. With property prices escalating in many of our cities, it really makes sense for elements in your home to serve more than one purpose.
Make under-stairs storage beautiful
The beautifully considered detailing of this timber staircase, in a London new build, evokes the craftsmanship of traditional stairs, but in a decidedly modern way, with clean lines and square corners. Outward-opening panels provide ready access to storage, this time below the steps.
Get lots more ideas for creating storage from your stairs
The beautifully considered detailing of this timber staircase, in a London new build, evokes the craftsmanship of traditional stairs, but in a decidedly modern way, with clean lines and square corners. Outward-opening panels provide ready access to storage, this time below the steps.
Get lots more ideas for creating storage from your stairs
Look from above and below
The crisp timber used for the treads and risers of this contemporary staircase is repeated on the underside, resulting in a strong, monolithic appearance, almost as if the stair had been carved from a block of wood.
The design is enhanced by the contrasting transparency of the frameless glass balustrade, which becomes a full-height panel halfway up the flight.
The crisp timber used for the treads and risers of this contemporary staircase is repeated on the underside, resulting in a strong, monolithic appearance, almost as if the stair had been carved from a block of wood.
The design is enhanced by the contrasting transparency of the frameless glass balustrade, which becomes a full-height panel halfway up the flight.
Fit a space-saver
Alternate-tread staircases are a great solution where space is at a premium. Much nicer to use than a ladder, they occupy half the length of a full staircase and are perfect for areas that require occasional rather than constant access, such as this mezzanine.
Alternate-tread staircases are a great solution where space is at a premium. Much nicer to use than a ladder, they occupy half the length of a full staircase and are perfect for areas that require occasional rather than constant access, such as this mezzanine.
Keep things looking simple
The clean, elegant shape of this helical staircase has been achieved with steel, which supports both the stairs themselves and the glass balustrade. The underside is plastered for a seamless appearance, and the whole structure appears to float unsupported in front of the tall window.
The clean, elegant shape of this helical staircase has been achieved with steel, which supports both the stairs themselves and the glass balustrade. The underside is plastered for a seamless appearance, and the whole structure appears to float unsupported in front of the tall window.
Enhance your up and down journeys
These stairs, which lead to a roof extension, incorporate an L-shaped window framing views to the outside. This, and an integrated light cove, add interest to the daily journeys up and down the stairs.
These stairs, which lead to a roof extension, incorporate an L-shaped window framing views to the outside. This, and an integrated light cove, add interest to the daily journeys up and down the stairs.
Give rustic a minimalist twist…
Although ancient, the winding stairs in this Scottish castle have a strong minimalist presence. Just three materials are involved – timeworn stone, a rope handrail and limewashed walls – but the overall result is rich nonetheless.
Although ancient, the winding stairs in this Scottish castle have a strong minimalist presence. Just three materials are involved – timeworn stone, a rope handrail and limewashed walls – but the overall result is rich nonetheless.
…or filter the same idea through a contemporary lens
This is another staircase with just three materials – this time cast concrete, plywood and steel. It looks as strong and elegant as the castle staircase, just less timeworn!
This is another staircase with just three materials – this time cast concrete, plywood and steel. It looks as strong and elegant as the castle staircase, just less timeworn!
Revamp an old staircase
The stairs in this house looked tired and dated, but the budget didn’t extend to replacing them. So they’ve been given a new lease of life with paint – bright orange on the treads and risers (tempered with a grey carpet runner trimmed in black linen) and grey on the balustrade and newel post. The handrail was stripped of shiny varnish and given a wax finish.
Should you choose paint or carpet to revamp your staircase?
The stairs in this house looked tired and dated, but the budget didn’t extend to replacing them. So they’ve been given a new lease of life with paint – bright orange on the treads and risers (tempered with a grey carpet runner trimmed in black linen) and grey on the balustrade and newel post. The handrail was stripped of shiny varnish and given a wax finish.
Should you choose paint or carpet to revamp your staircase?
Tuck in a bar
The space below this simple and elegant staircase incorporates a bar prep area, with an island placed alongside to perch at or lean on. Note how the deliberately limited palette of materials and the slender metal balusters keep the space looking calm and inviting.
The space below this simple and elegant staircase incorporates a bar prep area, with an island placed alongside to perch at or lean on. Note how the deliberately limited palette of materials and the slender metal balusters keep the space looking calm and inviting.
Combine old and new
This staircase to a roof extension is deliberately more contemporary in style than the existing stairs below it, marking the transition point between the old and new. Note the metal rods, which were added for safety and allow the open risers to comply with building regulations.
This staircase to a roof extension is deliberately more contemporary in style than the existing stairs below it, marking the transition point between the old and new. Note the metal rods, which were added for safety and allow the open risers to comply with building regulations.
Savour the moment
This handrail has been wrapped in leather with beautiful stitching. Little details like this, which cost a bit more, can bring a great return on the investment in the pleasure they give every time the handrail is held. And the leather should burnish and develop a patina over time, adding character.
TELL US…
If money were no object, what improvement would you like to make to your own staircase? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
This handrail has been wrapped in leather with beautiful stitching. Little details like this, which cost a bit more, can bring a great return on the investment in the pleasure they give every time the handrail is held. And the leather should burnish and develop a patina over time, adding character.
TELL US…
If money were no object, what improvement would you like to make to your own staircase? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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On a purely practical level, staircases are used by a range of people, from children to elderly people, plus people you may not initially think about.
For instance, when someone becomes ill upstairs, think of the ambulance crew who have to carry a person down and up the stairs safely!
With this in mind, I always design a simple straight-run staircase with the correctly sized top and bottom landings. I keep the width fairly narrow so a disabled (or injured) person can easily reach a continuous handrail on each side. You will find that a person with balance problems or a serious condition such as M.S. will be unable to safely manage any form of tapered stair, winder or 90 degree landing.
The straight stair is the easiest to construct and the most efficient, but it can be difficult to fit into the average sized home, especially if you also want to have an entrance lobby, for energy conservation. One solution is to place the stair in the centre of the dwelling and have a landing area at the top which gives access to rooms at the sides and rear. This landing can also be used as a study or office area.
We should be designing practical adaptable lifetime homes that cater for all possibilities.