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  1. Staircase
  2. Type: U-shape

Modern U-shaped Staircase Ideas and Designs

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Weston Modern
Weston Modern
The Lagasse Group, LLCThe Lagasse Group, LLC
Main stairwell at Weston Modern project. Architect: Stern McCafferty.
Design ideas for a large modern wood u-shaped staircase in Boston with open risers and feature lighting.
Oak & White Staircase with Structural Glass
Oak & White Staircase with Structural Glass
TF Staircases LtdTF Staircases Ltd
New Oak and White closed string staircase. The first section has white closed risers with tread lighting to create that floating effect but enabling our client to have storage behind it. The top section is open riser with glass sub-risers to allow the natural light to flood through to the hall way from the large window on the half landing.
Modern Living in Downtown Birmingham
Modern Living in Downtown Birmingham
Stalburg DesignStalburg Design
A staircase is so much more than circulation. It provides a space to create dramatic interior architecture, a place for design to carve into, where a staircase can either embrace or stand as its own design piece. In this custom stair and railing design, completed in January 2020, we wanted a grand statement for the two-story foyer. With walls wrapped in a modern wainscoting, the staircase is a sleek combination of black metal balusters and honey stained millwork. Open stair treads of white oak were custom stained to match the engineered wide plank floors. Each riser painted white, to offset and highlight the ascent to a U-shaped loft and hallway above. The black interior doors and white painted walls enhance the subtle color of the wood, and the oversized black metal chandelier lends a classic and modern feel. The staircase is created with several “zones”: from the second story, a panoramic view is offered from the second story loft and surrounding hallway. The full height of the home is revealed and the detail of our black metal pendant can be admired in close view. At the main level, our staircase lands facing the dining room entrance, and is flanked by wall sconces set within the wainscoting. It is a formal landing spot with views to the front entrance as well as the backyard patio and pool. And in the lower level, the open stair system creates continuity and elegance as the staircase ends at the custom home bar and wine storage. The view back up from the bottom reveals a comprehensive open system to delight its family, both young and old!
Cable Railing System
Cable Railing System
Patrick Millwork IncPatrick Millwork Inc
Photo of a large modern carpeted u-shaped wire cable railing staircase in Boise with carpeted risers.
Paloma Springs lot 1
Paloma Springs lot 1
Goodwin Custom HomesGoodwin Custom Homes
Photo of a medium sized modern wood u-shaped wire cable railing staircase in Charlotte with open risers.
Twin Peaks
Twin Peaks
Feldman Architecture, Inc.Feldman Architecture, Inc.
Design ideas for a modern wood u-shaped mixed railing staircase in San Francisco with open risers.
Iron Work
Iron Work
JC Iron Ornamental Work Inc.JC Iron Ornamental Work Inc.
Medium sized modern wood u-shaped glass railing staircase in Miami with painted wood risers.
Hawthorn Hills Residence
Hawthorn Hills Residence
Lambright Design GroupLambright Design Group
The open riser steel and wood custom stair is just off the entry.
Modern wood u-shaped metal railing staircase in Seattle with open risers.
Custom Staircases & Railings
Custom Staircases & Railings
MJ Modern StairwaysMJ Modern Stairways
This is an example of a large modern wood u-shaped glass railing staircase in San Francisco with wood risers.
Pear Tree House
Pear Tree House
Edgley DesignEdgley Design
Jack Hobhouse
Large modern wood u-shaped staircase in London with feature lighting.
Lakeside Luxe
Lakeside Luxe
Nathan Homes LLCNathan Homes LLC
Amoura Productions
This is an example of a modern carpeted u-shaped staircase in Omaha with carpeted risers.
Portage Bay
Portage Bay
Heliotrope ArchitectsHeliotrope Architects
Photo Credit: Aaron Leitz
Inspiration for a modern metal u-shaped staircase in Seattle with metal risers.
Lewis Residence
Lewis Residence
3 Level Design3 Level Design
Staircase and seating area Photo by: BKD Photo
Inspiration for a medium sized modern wood u-shaped staircase in Oklahoma City with wood risers.
Modern Silicon Valley Home
Modern Silicon Valley Home
Lencioni ConstructionLencioni Construction
Photoographer: Russel Abraham Architect: Swatt Miers
Modern wood u-shaped glass railing staircase in San Francisco with wood risers.
Quail Hill Residence
Quail Hill Residence
Nate Fischer InteriorsNate Fischer Interiors
solid slab black wood stair treads and white risers for a classic look, mixed with our modern steel and natural wood railing.
Design ideas for a medium sized modern wood u-shaped staircase in Orange County with painted wood risers.
New Peninsula Residence
New Peninsula Residence
Kaplan Architects, AIAKaplan Architects, AIA
Kaplan Architects, AIA Location: Redwood City , CA, USA Stair up to great room from the family room at the lower level. The treads are fabricated from glue laminated beams that match the structural beams in the ceiling. The railing is a custom design cable railing system. The stair is paired with a window wall that lets in abundant natural light into the family room which buried partially underground.
Millennium Acier
Millennium Acier
Unique Wood FloorsUnique Wood Floors
Inspiration for a medium sized modern wood u-shaped wire cable railing staircase in Minneapolis with open risers.
Glass and Cable Railing Systems
Glass and Cable Railing Systems
Patrick Millwork IncPatrick Millwork Inc
Design ideas for a large modern wood u-shaped glass railing staircase in Boise with wood risers.
Modern Glass Panel Staircase - White Wainscoting
Modern Glass Panel Staircase - White Wainscoting
Coast Salish WoodcraftersCoast Salish Woodcrafters
This is an example of a large modern wood u-shaped mixed railing staircase in Vancouver with wood risers.
Prairie Zen Model
Prairie Zen Model
Nathan Homes LLCNathan Homes LLC
Photo of a modern carpeted u-shaped wire cable railing staircase in Omaha with carpeted risers.

Modern U-shaped Staircase Ideas and Designs

A beautiful modern staircase can serve a purpose far beyond the functional, with many homeowners transforming the stairs of their home into an architectural centrepiece. Statement staircases will wow your guests – less of a staircase than a showcase – and you may only need to keep the stairs clean and balustrades and newels polished to have a focal point to your decor. For a real talking point, modern staircases make use of non-traditional materials like glass and steel. Planning a new stair can be big projects, but if you’re undergoing a loft conversion, loft stairs are an essential part of your renovation and you’ll need to think carefully about how they will fit into your home. Browsing through inspiring photos of staircases and find pictures who will help you to choose the right design.

How do I choose a new modern staircase design?

In terms of renovation, replacing staircases is a big decision and must be considered as carefully as replacing a structural wall. If your current staircase is badly positioned then it may be worth the investment in a new flight. A standard straight staircase can be bought virtually out of the box, but for real excitement you may want to look into bespoke staircase design, including ideas custom handrails. This could certainly be the case when it comes to loft stairs as you’ll need something that fits with your area and space below. Storage staircases can be a great option for a small room – drawers or doors can pull out from the side of the staircase, utilising the space under it, or the stairs themselves can serve as drawers and cubbies. Spiral staircases are clever and can make a stunning feature in every room – choose a winding spiral staircase for smaller rooms or a sweeping one if you have the room for dramatic appeal. Glass railings are ideal if you have a preference for light and spacious interiors. If you have a more traditional wooden flight of stairs already in place, then you can add a more modern feel by opting for a sheet glass balustrade. Open stairs, an alternating tread or a floating staircase are great additions to any home but may be out of the question if you have small children.

How should I decorate my modern staircase?

Despite the fact that the stairs can be one of the most frequently used areas of your home, they are often overlooked when it comes to a home redesign. Your staircase, much like your hallway, can be an opportunity to inject some colour or personality into your overall design scheme and an update can be as simple as putting a lick of paint on the spindles or stripping off the worn carpet to reveal the beautiful hardwood treads beneath. If you want to keep some cushioning, then stair runners are a popular design choice, as they draw the eyes upward and add a flash of colour or pattern whilst offering plenty of grip. That said, ensure stair runners are properly fitted to avoid any missteps! A nice touch to connect staircases to the hallway they lead to is choosing a complementary rug or floor runner that echoes the colour scheme of the stair runner. If your staircase is alongside a wall, make the most of that space with attractive wallpaper, framed pictures and artwork. Stair spindles are a decorative element in their own right but you can jazz them up by painting them in a multi-tonal palette of complementary colours or graduating between dark and light. Putting a nice chandelier over a staircase can add a final, dramatic touch; if you prefer a more subtle way, consider recessed floor-level lighting for an atmospheric glow.

How should I install loft stairs?

Luckily, there is no minimum width for staircases. If you have a loft conversion stair that are less than one metre wide then you should have a handrail on at least one side. If you’re wondering about how steep your steps can be, then the maximum rise according to Building Regulations Part K is 220mm and all steps should be the same size and level. If you’re worried about crowding your foyer below your loft, there are options that are light and ladder-like so not much space is used, but they will still be more sturdy and safe than normal ladders. You must have two metres headroom at the top of your loft stairs, too, to ensure entering the lost space is not dangerous. A spiral staircase may be the best option for a small room, but remember that the staircase will be narrower and could be more dangerous for young children or older users.The building regulations for spiral staircases are slightly different – if you’re going to use a spiral staircase as loft conversion stairs and it’s only a secondary staircase leading to one room, then the stair treads themselves must be 60mm wide and no more than 145mm in length.
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