Quick Ideas For Statement Staircases

Transparency

Glass staircases are particularly striking. Opt for one with non-slip treads and a diffused surface to ensure privacy from below. Combining glass with timber will warm up the look, while pairing it with a modern metal handrail keeps things sleek and shiny.

Floating

Creating the illusion of treads that just hover, this is the perfect look for a contemporary home. The treads are attached on one side, either to the wall or to a stringer and are usually unsupported on the other. This type of staircase can be constructed from glass, timber or stone and need not be straight — curved and spiral designs work well with this look too.

Floating staircase by Flight design

Curves

Spiral staircases are a great option for those tight on space — with diameters as little as 1,200mm being available. If space is not an issue, centrally located sweeping, curved flights add a sense of grandeur and make the most of a spacious entrance hall — stone, such as limestone, hints to a Classical era.

Curved staircase by Bisca

Handrails

The look and feel of an elegant handrail can be a staircase’s defining glory. You could go further too — refined underlit LED rails from Charles Crowson (below) introduce extra safety and ambience.

Staircase with decorative handrail by Charles Crowson

Concrete

Concrete staircases are perfect for adding industrial style – as this Adrian James Architects’ project (below) goes to show – and can be constructed as one single piece off-site, or supplied as separate treads and risers. It is also possible for them to be cast in-situ — which is not as messy as it sounds.

Concrete staircase by Adrian James

Chunky timber

Thick timber treads (like on this Hall + Bednarczyk project, below) can be created from several pieces of oak jointed together or from single pieces of timber — a cheaper option is to clad the treads and risers of an existing or more cost-effective staircase in solid hardwood.

Image by Simon Maxwell

Space

Combining alternating treads with a steeper overall pitch, these are ideal for tight areas of the home and are often used for loft conversions. They are usually adjusted
on site for an exact fit.

Space-saving staircase by Loft Centre

Width

Open plan hallways really benefit from wide staircases, where standard flights can look out of proportion and become visually lost. They also feel safer and provide a pleasing sense of luxury.

Wide staircase by Bisca