Staircases (or stairways) can have something really beautiful about them, architecturally interesting and also be more useful than “just” connecting two or more floors with each other. Here you will find 12 great staircase design ideas to make your staircase a focal point of your house or apartment. Hence maybe your staircase will be a stairway to heaven.
Add a carpet…
Look what difference a carpet makes. It is almost shouting “look at me, I am fabulous” – and indeed it is. This one is obviously custom designed but there are many stair runners that can easily be installed and are a great way to not only make your staircase stand out but also protect the staircase. This truly is a great staircase design idea.
…or a runner
How gorgeous is this grey and pink runner on that grey staircase! A perfect example of how – with a regular runner (doesn’t need to be that fancy) your staircase can be refreshed, giving it a whole new look. Make sure to a material that’s sturdy – staircases tend to show wear and tear easily due to its heavy use.
Copy staircase designs from hotels
Traditional and exclusive hotels usually have runners with brass rods on their staircases. The practicality is obvious (keeps the runner in place) but it also looks the part. The best choice material for a staircase runner is anything that’s flatweave or low pile. Wool is a good (and often expensive) choice for stairs as its fibres repel stains and dirt and don’t flatten easily. Also, a man-made fabric such as polypropylene is a similarly effective – and more affordable – option, but make sure it has a shorter pile, otherwise it will flatten. If you want to stick to a natural material, seasal and other “harder” materials are also durable when it comes to staircases. being inspired by hotels can be a great way to design your staircase.
Stripy stairs
Both of the above pictures feature runners again, both with contrasting colours to the staircase itself, setting it apart and making it a focus point of the room. It really is a cost effective way to make a noticeable change and give your staircase new admirers. Additionally, stripes also have the benefit of an elongating effect. Your guests will be wondering what is “all the way up (or down) there”.
On a tight budget? Paint your staircase
No money? No problem. Paint your staircase in an accent colour. This again can have a dramatic and brightening effect on the vibe of your apartment. If you’re painting the steps as well as the risers, consider an anti-slip additive for the paint to improve traction. Then decide if you go with one shade or two (or more) – painting the steps and risers in different colours for example. Little Greene have great intelligent floor paint and their colour palette leaves no one not finding the right shade. No reason not to upgrade your staircase today.
Arty wall staircase inspiration
Having art accompanying you and maybe your visitors whilst ascending or descending your staircase is also a clever way to elevate your staircase. May it be a Petersburg hanging (like the one pictured above, a curated -not so random- way of hanging pieces of art) or a more linear hanging, art is an eye-catcher and can really transform your staircase and landings, focusing on the pictures instead of the stairs. Should you opt for photos, have a look at Mixtiles – a great place for photo walls. A very easy staircase design idea for everyone.
Stair railing
Look at this railing, a true piece of art. Let your creativity free reigns and have a think – maybe paint your railing a different colour to the rest of the staircase, or use another material to make the railing stand out.
Book lover’s staircase
Using the staircase as a direct access to your library is something out of the ordinary. Hence instead of having a plain wall or a wall full of art, shelves are a space saving and style adding feature. Books or other artefacts can be displayed to make full use of the space. This staircase design idea obviously only works for places having the appropriate space.
Hidden (staircase) beauty
Depending on the layout, staircases are sometimes more hidden from the centre of the main space. Here is a good example of a greatly designed staircase and its dividing wall doubling up as a bookshelf. Also a great feature the circular aspect of the staircase and thus the living room itself. The matte almost burgundy colour also adds sophistication to the space.
No space for a …?
Whatever it is you may need, the space below the staircase can be used in so many different ways. For Harry Potter (yeah, I am officially outed as a HP fan) it served as his bedroom room for many years, for some it is great storage space, for others it can be a home office or as pictured a space for a piano. What would your ideal use for the space below the stairs be? Write your staircase design ideas or inspirations in the comments section below.
The “not for the faint hearted”-staircase
Is it an art installation, some kind of sculpture or a staircase? Maybe all of the above. Would you dare? A truly extraordinary staircase design idea.
Come and read another one of my blog posts that my inspire you, maybe the one about dining room inspiration.
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