On the Way Up: Stairs That Elevate to a New Level
Stairs can be beautiful, functional, storage-packed, sculptural. What impact do you want your stairs to have at your home?
Briony Darcy
9 September 2014
Houzz Australia Contributor. Principal of DE atelier Architects. I live and breathe architecture with my lovely husband and fellow architect, Leon Eyck. We travelled the world together seeking gastronomic delights and beautiful architecture. Homeward bound, we set up our practice and started our little family. My passion is family and the unique architecture that makes a home and soul for a family.
Houzz Australia Contributor. Principal of DE atelier Architects. I live and breathe... More
Stairs in the home are fairly essential for travelling between levels, but apart from being a very practical element of design, they can also act as a signature piece.
On a practical side, if you talk to my husband Leon about stairs, it is all about the depth of the tread. Yes, the part of the stair that you put your foot on. If the tread is too shallow, it can be awkward and a trip hazard. Leon measures in at 185cm tall – not quite a giant, but the width of the tread still matters to his size-10 foot. The proportion of the tread to the rise (rise being the vertical distance between each tread) is, therefore, critical to consider. We have all walked up stairs that feel uncomfortably steep and they can be dangerous for the young and the old to traverse. For new builds and renovations in Australia, there are staircase construction regulations, and which regulations apply to you will depend on the length and size of your stair needs and where the stairs are positioned in your home. They generally apply to stair depth and rises, gaps, railings and landings.
Let’s face it, all practicalities aside, the look of your stairs can really make a home, especially if they are located near the entrance or in a main thoroughfare. Here, I have picked out some standout styles that delight in elevating their dwelling to the next level.
On a practical side, if you talk to my husband Leon about stairs, it is all about the depth of the tread. Yes, the part of the stair that you put your foot on. If the tread is too shallow, it can be awkward and a trip hazard. Leon measures in at 185cm tall – not quite a giant, but the width of the tread still matters to his size-10 foot. The proportion of the tread to the rise (rise being the vertical distance between each tread) is, therefore, critical to consider. We have all walked up stairs that feel uncomfortably steep and they can be dangerous for the young and the old to traverse. For new builds and renovations in Australia, there are staircase construction regulations, and which regulations apply to you will depend on the length and size of your stair needs and where the stairs are positioned in your home. They generally apply to stair depth and rises, gaps, railings and landings.
Let’s face it, all practicalities aside, the look of your stairs can really make a home, especially if they are located near the entrance or in a main thoroughfare. Here, I have picked out some standout styles that delight in elevating their dwelling to the next level.
Stairs as art
This staircase makes a strong and dynamic statement to this multilevel home. Bold in the black and white colour scheme, the stairs form a backdrop to the room, akin to a piece of art. The glass balustrade runs from floor to ceiling on the outside of the staircase, while black metal plate forms the structural support for the treads. The unique white brick tiles on the wall beyond span the three levels, providing a backdrop to the stair-art at each level.
This staircase makes a strong and dynamic statement to this multilevel home. Bold in the black and white colour scheme, the stairs form a backdrop to the room, akin to a piece of art. The glass balustrade runs from floor to ceiling on the outside of the staircase, while black metal plate forms the structural support for the treads. The unique white brick tiles on the wall beyond span the three levels, providing a backdrop to the stair-art at each level.
Embracing the curve
These stairs wrap around you, as if in an embrace with its sinuous, continuous balustrade. It is a luxurious staircase that demands ample space so you can stand back and appreciate the beautiful curvaceous lines. The dark timber starkly contrasts with the pristine white balustrade. The smooth underbelly of the stairs and the interplay of shade and sunlight highlights the sculptural form. These are not the stairs to choose if you are looking for a space-saving solution. But if you have plenty of room they would be a magnificent statement piece in your home.
These stairs wrap around you, as if in an embrace with its sinuous, continuous balustrade. It is a luxurious staircase that demands ample space so you can stand back and appreciate the beautiful curvaceous lines. The dark timber starkly contrasts with the pristine white balustrade. The smooth underbelly of the stairs and the interplay of shade and sunlight highlights the sculptural form. These are not the stairs to choose if you are looking for a space-saving solution. But if you have plenty of room they would be a magnificent statement piece in your home.
The web staircase
Encased in a metal web, these rods are woven from floor to ceiling creating the intricate detail of the balustrade wall. In this instance the stairs are secondary to the focus on the custom web. A monotone palette of black and white is featured again – a winning combination.
BONUS TIP: The staircase utilises an open-style tread. While the gap between banisters and treads should not allow a 125mm sphere to pass through, to meet regulations, I would recommend a maximum gap of 110mm between treads to stay on the safe side.
Encased in a metal web, these rods are woven from floor to ceiling creating the intricate detail of the balustrade wall. In this instance the stairs are secondary to the focus on the custom web. A monotone palette of black and white is featured again – a winning combination.
BONUS TIP: The staircase utilises an open-style tread. While the gap between banisters and treads should not allow a 125mm sphere to pass through, to meet regulations, I would recommend a maximum gap of 110mm between treads to stay on the safe side.
Victorious timber
A journey up these stairs requires a caress of the Buddha’s head beautifully presented within the display box in search of wisdom. The adjacent window frames the water feature below within the garden pond. This view is also captured when you are poised to descend from the top of the stairs. The Victorian ash stringers are cut in at each step to create the ledge to place the tread on. They have been set in from the edge of the staircase and the treads have been held off the wall so the staircase appears to float within this space.
A journey up these stairs requires a caress of the Buddha’s head beautifully presented within the display box in search of wisdom. The adjacent window frames the water feature below within the garden pond. This view is also captured when you are poised to descend from the top of the stairs. The Victorian ash stringers are cut in at each step to create the ledge to place the tread on. They have been set in from the edge of the staircase and the treads have been held off the wall so the staircase appears to float within this space.
Single stringer
A single steel stringer, with two small hands (metal flanges) gently reach out to support each of the timber treads. The impact of the single support provides greater transparency between each rise, creates a lighter appearance and the opportunity to view the stone sculpture and pebble garden below.
BONUS TIP: It is important to have a stair design such as this engineered, as you do not want bounce or reverberation on the stair treads.
A single steel stringer, with two small hands (metal flanges) gently reach out to support each of the timber treads. The impact of the single support provides greater transparency between each rise, creates a lighter appearance and the opportunity to view the stone sculpture and pebble garden below.
BONUS TIP: It is important to have a stair design such as this engineered, as you do not want bounce or reverberation on the stair treads.
Floating concrete
Take a look at this staircase! The bottom step provides a large plinth, setting the stage before you take the upward journey. The first five steps are daringly cantilevered and open with no balustrade. This a beautiful staircase, the rawness and honesty to the concrete creates a statement piece in this home.
BONUS TIP: If you are designing an open staircase, the regulations require a balustrade when you are one metre above the floor.
Take a look at this staircase! The bottom step provides a large plinth, setting the stage before you take the upward journey. The first five steps are daringly cantilevered and open with no balustrade. This a beautiful staircase, the rawness and honesty to the concrete creates a statement piece in this home.
BONUS TIP: If you are designing an open staircase, the regulations require a balustrade when you are one metre above the floor.
Wraparound stairs
Constructed with hardwood timber, white cypress, this staircase is solidly grounded to the polished concrete floor. It proudly features the knots of the natural timber, while three oversized steps announce the entry. The third rise cleverly wraps around to form a bench seat facing the living room. Stainless-steel vertical cables create a transparent barrier to edge the outside. If a staircase is enclosed you can make the most of the space underneath. In this instance, the space contains part of the bathroom.
Discover more imaginative ways to use the space under the stairs
Constructed with hardwood timber, white cypress, this staircase is solidly grounded to the polished concrete floor. It proudly features the knots of the natural timber, while three oversized steps announce the entry. The third rise cleverly wraps around to form a bench seat facing the living room. Stainless-steel vertical cables create a transparent barrier to edge the outside. If a staircase is enclosed you can make the most of the space underneath. In this instance, the space contains part of the bathroom.
Discover more imaginative ways to use the space under the stairs
The stair track
This is stair heaven. Imagine your little self perched at the top of the staircase. Ready, set go! … and you are off and bottom bouncing down the carpet track. The central carpet strip provides a safe, non-slip surface for young and old to traverse. The junction between the carpet and the timber steps needs to be detailed and constructed carefully to create a level finish. The only issue I have with carpet steps is they are challenging to clean as you drag the vacuum along behind you.
This is stair heaven. Imagine your little self perched at the top of the staircase. Ready, set go! … and you are off and bottom bouncing down the carpet track. The central carpet strip provides a safe, non-slip surface for young and old to traverse. The junction between the carpet and the timber steps needs to be detailed and constructed carefully to create a level finish. The only issue I have with carpet steps is they are challenging to clean as you drag the vacuum along behind you.
Beneath the staircase
A wall of deep cupboards have been hidden under these stairs to cleverly house all the extra treasures you need to ‘store for now’. This is a terrace house, so it is essential to make the most of all the space within.
BONUS TIP: The LED strip lighting to the underside of the balustrade is a fabulous way to brighten your staircase.
A wall of deep cupboards have been hidden under these stairs to cleverly house all the extra treasures you need to ‘store for now’. This is a terrace house, so it is essential to make the most of all the space within.
BONUS TIP: The LED strip lighting to the underside of the balustrade is a fabulous way to brighten your staircase.
A rise in storage
Yes, these are drawers contained in the height of the steps. A maximum stair rise is 180mm, once you allow for the drawer carcass, the clearance for storage space remaining would be around 130mm high in the drawers – a unique and hidden storage solution. As we have little kids who I am forever walking around closing doors and cupboards, I would be a little wary if a drawer was not shut properly as you could have a spectacular spill down the staircase. Otherwise, this is a great storage idea.
TELL US
What have you done to make the staircase in your home stand out? Show and tell in the comments section.
MORE IDEABOOKS
Flights of Fancy: 15 Amazing Staircase Designs
Weekend Project: A Dozen Ways to Give Your Stairs a Creative Makeover
Bambooozled by Balustrades? Read On
Yes, these are drawers contained in the height of the steps. A maximum stair rise is 180mm, once you allow for the drawer carcass, the clearance for storage space remaining would be around 130mm high in the drawers – a unique and hidden storage solution. As we have little kids who I am forever walking around closing doors and cupboards, I would be a little wary if a drawer was not shut properly as you could have a spectacular spill down the staircase. Otherwise, this is a great storage idea.
TELL US
What have you done to make the staircase in your home stand out? Show and tell in the comments section.
MORE IDEABOOKS
Flights of Fancy: 15 Amazing Staircase Designs
Weekend Project: A Dozen Ways to Give Your Stairs a Creative Makeover
Bambooozled by Balustrades? Read On
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For dtawers in the steps I go for soft auto close and press open!