- Previous story
- Architecture
- Book Preview
- Homes
- Next story
- Checking In
- Interviews
![Step Up: staircase design ideas for your next project (1) Step Up: staircase design ideas for your next project (1)](https://i0.wp.com/tmhmedia.themodernhouse.com/uploads/2019/06/G112310-1600x1067.jpg)
Staircases are not merely a functional tool to help you get from one floor to the next. They can – and should be – a theatrical architectural feature in their own right. Here we pick out some staircase design ideas that put their best foot forward, from spiralling beauties to attention-grabbing focal points.
![Step Up: staircase design ideas for your next project (2) Step Up: staircase design ideas for your next project (2)](https://i0.wp.com/tmhmedia.themodernhouse.com/uploads/Charterhouse-Square-3-1200x800.jpg)
![Step Up: staircase design ideas for your next project (3) Step Up: staircase design ideas for your next project (3)](https://i0.wp.com/tmhmedia.themodernhouse.com/uploads/Atlas-Mews-1200x800.jpg)
![Step Up: staircase design ideas for your next project (4) Step Up: staircase design ideas for your next project (4)](https://i0.wp.com/tmhmedia.themodernhouse.com/uploads/2018/06/Archway-Studios-London-SE17-1-1200x800.jpg)
![Step Up: staircase design ideas for your next project (5) Step Up: staircase design ideas for your next project (5)](https://i0.wp.com/tmhmedia.themodernhouse.com/uploads/The-Tapp-House-18-1200x801.jpg)
Stairs with a twist
Spiral staircases have a long and rich history. Their use in castles and cathedrals eventually trickled down into domestic architecture and their popularity has endured – not only are they space-efficient but they are objects of beauty in their own right. This expansive duplex penthouse in Clerkenwell, in a late 19th-century textile warehouse, is connected by an unobtrusive spiral staircase that blends seamlessly with the building’s industrial interiors.
Three floors are effortlessly linked by a striking spiral steel staircase at Atlas Mews in Dalston. The shape-shifting interiors of Archway Studios – a 19th-century railway viaduct in Kennington, transformed into an award-winning home by Undercurrent Architects – feature a number of white-washed stairs, including a neat spiral that connects the living quarters with the bedrooms. Meanwhile, a stunning plywood staircase, which is lit by a round skylight, can be found at the house designed and built in 1969 by the architect David Tapp for his family in Henley-on-Thames.
Dramatic entrance
Staircases can make a real statement – from grand palaces to stately homes. Not everyone can snag one of those, of course, but homes that find clever ways to make a visual impact with theirs can still benefit. Victoria Mews in Queens Park, for instance, has a sculptural central concrete and steel stairwell that acts as an atrium and plays with shapes and textures.
The ultra-modern custom black steel staircase at Hindsleys Place in Forest Hill pays homage to the building’s industrial past and nods to the home’s black Crittall windows. The staircase at a Victorian townhouse in Hyde Park displays an elegant approach to colour, where some of the white-washed treads are picked out in grey and brown.
![Step Up: staircase design ideas for your next project (10) Step Up: staircase design ideas for your next project (10)](https://i0.wp.com/tmhmedia.themodernhouse.com/uploads/2020/07/Aberdeen-Park-9-1200x800.jpg)
![Step Up: staircase design ideas for your next project (11) Step Up: staircase design ideas for your next project (11)](https://i0.wp.com/tmhmedia.themodernhouse.com/uploads/2020/07/Aberdeen-Park-8-1200x800.jpg)
![Step Up: staircase design ideas for your next project (12) Step Up: staircase design ideas for your next project (12)](https://i0.wp.com/tmhmedia.themodernhouse.com/uploads/2019/06/G112466-1200x800.jpg)
![Step Up: staircase design ideas for your next project (13) Step Up: staircase design ideas for your next project (13)](https://i0.wp.com/tmhmedia.themodernhouse.com/uploads/2020/08/Ghost-House-1-1200x800.jpg)
Tread lightly
But how to make an impact without being too dominating? Open-tread staircases are the solution. A magnificent example can be found at Aberdeen Park in Highbury where a 1970s home has been refreshed by Ian Hay Architects. Here an open-tread staircase with twisting brass handrails leads to a library mezzanine.
Railings and balustrades don’t have to overwhelm; the striking staircase in blackened steel that rises through the entire property in Clerkenwellallows in plenty of light. And the spectacular Ghost House in Warwickshire, designed by BPN Architects, nods to the timeless appeal of sweeping imperial staircases in country homes, but here they come in a decidedly contemporary folded-steel iteration.
- Collections
- Interiors
Collections
Collections
Collections
Collections
Collections
Collections
Collections
Collections
Collections
Collections
Collections
Collections
Collections
Collections
Collections
Collections
Collections
Collections
Collections
Collections
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I am an expert and enthusiast based assistant. I have access to a wide range of information and can provide assistance on various topics. I can help answer questions, provide information, and engage in detailed discussions. If you have any specific questions or topics you'd like to discuss, feel free to ask!
Now, let's dive into the concepts mentioned in this article.
Staircase Design Ideas
The article discusses various staircase design ideas that can make a visual impact and serve as architectural features in homes. Here are some key points mentioned:
-
Spiral Staircases: Spiral staircases have a long history and are known for their space-efficiency and beauty. They were initially used in castles and cathedrals and later became popular in domestic architecture. Examples of spiral staircases mentioned in the article include a duplex penthouse in Clerkenwell, Archway Studios in Kennington, and a house in Henley-on-Thames .
-
Dramatic Entrance: Staircases can make a statement in grand palaces and stately homes. Even in smaller homes, clever design choices can create a visual impact. Examples mentioned in the article include Victoria Mews in Queens Park, Hindsleys Place in Forest Hill, and a Victorian townhouse in Hyde Park.
-
Open-Tread Staircases: Open-tread staircases are a solution for making an impact without being too dominating. They allow light to pass through and create a sense of openness. An example mentioned in the article is a home in Aberdeen Park, where an open-tread staircase leads to a library mezzanine.
-
Railings and Balustrades: Railings and balustrades can add to the overall design of a staircase. They don't have to overwhelm the space and can be designed to allow ample light. Examples mentioned in the article include a striking blackened steel staircase in Clerkenwell and the Ghost House in Warwickshire, which features contemporary folded-steel imperial staircases.
These are just a few of the staircase design ideas mentioned in the article. Staircases can be both functional and visually appealing, adding character and style to a home's interior.
Let me know if there's anything specific you'd like to know or discuss further!