The four different types of staircase you should consider

Staircase designs to suit any property

Staircases are a key element of interior design and are often a main feature within the home; they are one of the most used items in properties and are usually one of the first features seen through the entrance. When thinking about staircase design it is very easy to fall into the trap of designing a standard style straight staircase that focuses more on practicality rather than a unique design. There are so many options available to create a unique design that not only compliments the home but also stands out as a beautifully designed feature of its own right.

The availability of bespoke staircases in a broad choice of materials, finishes, balustrade designs and shapes allow versatility in design suitable for any home. When choosing the design of the staircase there are a few things to give thought to. It is key to consider the size of the staircase in proportion to the property and how frequently the staircases are used and by how many people as this can play an important role in deciding the best solution for the home.

There are a wide range of staircase styles including straight, spiral and helical. The straight staircase designs are ideal for traditional homes, such as Victoria terrace properties, that are built with narrow hallways and often have extra storage space below. Straight staircases can be given the illusion of a more curving staircase when a sections curves round at the top of the stairs to lead onto the landing area.

This elegant spiral staircase is situated within an expansive modern family home near Bristol. The sweeping staircase filled a curved ground floor room leading to an exposed wooden beam mezzanine encased in a glass balustrade flowing down the staircase at the bottom of the stairs. This creates a dramatic feature that draws your eyes up from the base of the stairs round to the balcony within this entrance hallway. The elegant staircase features warm wooden tones which adds warmth to the otherwise metallic elements of the design. LED lights fill each step illuminating the whole stairwell for an inviting transition from the ground floor through to the first-floor living spaces.

Straight staircases can be designed with either a solid well, open well or closed well. This staircase design is more likely to be placed in a wider opening where homes have a high first-floor level as a number of sets of stairs are involved. For tighter spaces, spiral staircases are ideal as they can fit into narrow openings, this also creates a stunning focal point within the property.

A different style of staircase is the Newel design, which includes a central pole or support column which helps to hold the balustrades in place. Newel stairs are often straight staircases that cover two adjoining walls leading to the upper floor, as the stairs sharply bend round to the second wall, a supporting post is used to support the external facing balustrade while supporting the steps.

Straight staircases have many adaptabilities including Winder staircases that are ideal to maximise special design in homes that needs to maximise the available space. There isn’t a need for a landing with these staircase designs are the curve round at the top of the stairs to meet the hallway or landing space on the floor above. This staircase design is a happy medium between a straight staircase and a spiral staircase as it still possesses the modern aesthetic, but this may be the more logical design for the property.

Spiral staircases offer an exceptionally modern design aesthetic to any style home and interior design; however, the practicality needs to be considered when specifying this design. If large objects are going to be moved from each floor, then it may not be suitable to install a spiral staircase. These staircases use a newel in the centre of the spiral to support the spiralling steps which also supports the balustrade system.

Helical staircases curve up to the top floor without a central column that spiral staircases have. This style of staircase spreads out across a wide space so a magnificent central design feature can be seen throughout the home.

After some thought about the shapes and style of the staircase, the materials and finishes can then be chosen. The step material can be specified to continue down onto the flooring finish for a cohesive aesthetic. Balustrades in a variety of finishes are also available to go with the desired staircase design to complete the staircase design while also providing a protective barrier to ensure safety.