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Staircase design ideas

Staircase design ideas

The staircase gives a first and lasting impression of your home. Here are some design ideas to give it more ‘wow’ factor.

Whether you’re planning a loft conversion or a two-storey extension, it’s essential to consider how the stairs will fit into your overall scheme. 

Spiral Staircase

Timber Spiral Staircase - Image supplied by British Spirals and Castings

As Scot Masker, director of Pro Vision points out, the staircase can become a focal point. “The staircase is the serviceable spine of the house providing access to all floors, but it can be a thing of beauty too. It’s usually the first feature people see on entering the home.  It can be a statement or centrepiece.” 

Moving the staircase

Design experts advise to plan the staircase at the earliest stages of building a home extension. It’s key to the flow of the property, so it’s worth considering if your home would work better if you altered the position of the existing staircase. An awkward space could be unlocked by rethinking the position and direction of stairs. Rooms might have more generous, wider proportions if the staircase is moved. “Extensions, new internal fit outs, updating an older property and open-plan living are the main reasons for relocating the staircase”, said Masker.

Ask an expert

Before you start swinging a sledge hammer and ripping out the existing staircase, it’s important to consider if it’s load-bearing. While many staircases don’t provide structural support within the house and simply bridge the gap between floors, some do. For example, some spiral staircases feature a central pillar that will take some of the weight of the upper floor. In these cases, heavy-duty props will be needed to temporarily support the upper floor before a remedial structure is put in place. It’s always best to consult a professional, such as a structural engineer, architect or surveyor on the structural implications of relocating a staircase.

Straight wooden staircase

Straight wooden staircase - Image supplied by Bristish Spirals and Castings

Different designs

Choosing a design for your new or replacement stairs is a big decision.  Whichever design you choose, it will have a major impact on the look and feel of your home. It doesn’t have to be a straight staircase with a central landing. In many situations this may not fit or be the best use of space. When turns are required in a staircase, one solution is to split the flight in two and connect with a quarter turn landing. Steps that turn corners while rising are known as ‘winders.’ Other options include spiral and helical staircases which can look fantastic and be useful when space is limited. If you have an architect working on your project, ask him or her to sketch different design options.

Cantilevered staircases

Perhaps more than any other design, the cantilevered flight has the ‘wow factor’ as it appears to float in mid-air.  Cantilevered or ‘floating stairs’ are often classical in style but can also be made to contemporary designs. In its traditional form, the treads are fixed at one end only into a wall and project out at the other with no extra support. However, there are also modern ‘post-tensional’ versions with hidden steel supports. Mat Snelling, director of the architectural division of Chesneys, supplier of carved stone staircases, said: “Post-tensioned staircases allow architects and home-owners to place the staircase at the centre of the house without the need for structural walls. Interest and enquiries are at an all-time high. These staircases really are the centrepiece of the home.” 

Cantilevered Staircase

Cantilevered or floating staircase combining oak tread and glass banister - Image supplied by Pro Vision/Chesneys

Choosing a material for a staircase

Individual and unusual staircases can be crafted from a variety of materials, including natural stone, glass, timber, metal and concrete. It’s possible to comply with rules and regulations without having to stick to conventional wood. Stone, steel or glass stairs can add incredible interest to any home. Deciding which is best isn’t just about looks. Durability, cost and practicality should also factor in your decision-making. Before you set your heart on a material, for example solid oak, check the price. Opting for a softwood staircase is a cost-effective alternative and you can apply a range of paints or finishes. Alternatively, you can cover the stairs in carpet. A runner down the centre with varnished or painted treads either side can look striking. A cheap carpet is a false economy in high-traffic areas of the home. Invest in a good quality carpet and check it’s suitable for stairs. 

New banisters and treads

For those who want to spruce up their stairs but don’t have the budget for a completely new staircase, replacing the banisters can be a practical solution. White oak balustrades with glass panels can create a stylish, minimalist look as well as improve light levels.  A glass balustrade can also work without the handrail when the sides are taken up to the ceiling. The downside is glass will show fingerprints and you’ll have to clean it regularly. Or you might opt for chrome or steel spindles combined with cherrywood handrail to give your stairs a sleek, modernist look. You can also rethink other component parts. Clad your stairs with hardwearing oak treads and risers instead of a stair carpet, for example.

Go open-plan

Think about getting rid of the cupboard under your stairs for a more open-plan look. While it’s handy to stash all kinds of clutter from vacuum cleaners to shopping bags, it’s often hard to reach the furthest corner. It may be a better use of this triangular space to turn it into study zone, seating area or shelving unit. If your home is short of storage space, it can be an ideal spot for a coat rack, chest of drawers or large wicker basket to keep out-of-season scarves, hats and gloves.

Metal and wood spiral staircase

Timber and metal spiral staircase - Image supplied by Bristish Spirals and Castings

The Building Regulations

The Building Regulations surrounding staircases are complex but essential for safety reasons, so always consult your local planning authority before installing a new flight. Here are some of the general rules.

  • Handrails on stairs and landing should be between 900mm and 1000mm in height
  • The staircase should have a maximum pitch of 42°
  • No opening of any balustrade should allow a 100mm diameter sphere to pass through (about the size of a child’s head)
  • A minimum of 2,000mm of clear headroom is required at every step.
  • The vertical distance or total rise between each step should be between 150mm and 220mm.

For more information on Building Regulations for stairs see the Government website