Staircase Ideas and Designs
How do I choose a new 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 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.
Inspiration for a bohemian wood railing staircase in Hampshire.
Some fun decor could be cool if there’s room - gemma_langford26
Chic and charismatic, this abstract chair sits elegantly below this bespoke stairway, the metallic hues shimmering against the rich wood.
Mixed contemporary wood curved staircase in Berkshire with wood risers.
Colour - racheal_kapeza
Feature staircase. Bespoke powder-coated steel staircase with ash treads.
Photo Credit: Colin Poole
Inspiration for a scandinavian wood straight staircase in Gloucestershire with open risers.
Radiator - webuser_15593151286
Lucy Walters
Design ideas for a traditional carpeted straight staircase in Oxfordshire with carpeted risers.
Cut string; volume handrail; continuous handrail landing - dgdclarke
Photographer - Darren Chung
Design ideas for a classic staircase in London.
Design ideas for a contemporary wood straight staircase in London.
Stairs, glass panels and under stair storage - eve_marie_masson
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Our brief for this new monolithic staircase was to look more like a piece of art than a staircase. The staircase sits in a Grade 2 listed building and complements the period interior beautifully! The once old makeshift staircase which accessed the former servant’s quarters of the property was transformed to give them access to the loft space which they had totally renovated. After sitting down with the Donohoe’s and looking through mood boards, we came up with this design and colour wash. The substrate of the staircase was made from solid oak with our new arctic white wash finish, giving it a clean, fresh Scandinavian look. What do you think?
Photo credit: Matt Cant
so so so cool the way the stairs turn into shelves! maybe could make it go into a seat or something too? - suzettefaye25
Kilian O'Sullivan
This is an example of a scandi staircase in London.
There's so much to love here. White. Light. Great staircase. - nina_dietrich
Photo supplied by Crucial Trading. Carpet is Fabulous in colour diamond in 100% Laneve wool from New Zealand.
Design ideas for a contemporary painted wood staircase in Other with painted wood risers.
Beautiful runner and moody wall - reneeuk
Traditional carpeted u-shaped staircase in London with carpeted risers.
Black and silver frames, mixed sizes - naledi87
Alex Maguire
Design ideas for a contemporary staircase in London.
The lighting and the bottom 3 steps - haroon_gajra
Architectural Photography by Simon Kennedy http://www.simonkennedy.net/
Design ideas for a contemporary wood spiral staircase in London with open risers.
I love how all the space is used well - cathrina_melis
Justin Barton
Design ideas for a classic staircase in London.
pale bit of wall = dulux hay bale 40YY 69/112 - marjahelena_s
Paul Riddle
This is an example of a medium sized modern wood u-shaped wood railing staircase in London with open risers.
Andrew Beesley
Small contemporary straight staircase in London.
Interesting approach on the stairs. - blueboy48
©Anna Stathaki
Photo of a contemporary straight staircase in London.
pullout shelves under staircase - shilps50
David Butler
Contemporary metal straight staircase in London with open risers.
Would need to make topmost part shorter and bottom part longer - to not compromise the view - neotinto
Photo of a classic straight metal railing staircase in Oxfordshire.