Staircase Design Ideas

Darlene Halaby
Mid-sized contemporary wood l-shaped staircase in Orange County with painted wood risers and metal railing.

Contemporary wood l-shaped staircase in Delhi with glass risers and metal railing.

Ryan Gamma
Photo of a large modern wood u-shaped staircase in Tampa with open risers and mixed railing.

Design ideas for a beach style staircase in Orange County.

library and reading area build into and under stairway.
Photo of a country wood u-shaped staircase in San Francisco with open risers.

Located at the top of a brownstone on Manhattan's Upper West Side, this apartment had a tiny footprint of just 425 feet, but the space stretched vertically for approximately 25 feet, and had access to a roof terrace. Our solution created four separate "living platforms" inserted within the space that provide room for all the essentials and still allow the apartment to feel open and light-filled. The lowest level is an entry and kitchen space, and a few steps up is the main living area. Above the living area is a cantilevered bed pavilion that projects out into the main space, supported on steel beams. A final stair leads up to a roof garden. All the spaces flow into one another, and the idea of distinct "rooms" dissolved. Given the miniscule size of the apartment, every inch of space is put to use. Stairs are not merely for circulation through the apartment, but feature built-in storage cabinetry and drawers below. The main bath and shower, in fact, are also built below the primary staircase. The kitchen features fully concealed appliances, flip up high storage units for easy access, and a countertop that wraps into the main living space, becoming a virtual 'hearth' with built-in entertainment system. There are no traditional closets in the entire apartment. Materials throughout are selected to emphasize the spatial characteristics of the project. The perimeter is light, with painted (existing) brick, glass backsplashes and shelving, and white lacquered kitchen cabinets, stair cabinets, and fittings. The cantilevered bed pavilion is clad in dark wood, and anchors the space - a central object around which everything revolves. A dark wood floor and wood stair treads lead through and around the apartment, spiraling up onto the wood deck at the room. Given the number of built-in features, furnishings are minimal in number, with only a couch, coffee table, bed, and a side chair necessary. Design Team: Scott Specht, Louise Harpman, Amy Lopez-Cepero, Sheryl Jordan, Devin Keyes Photography: Taggart Sorenson Press and Awards AIA Design Award Architizer A+ Award The New York Times "Tiny Homes Hunting" on DIY TV Interior Design "Best of Year"

Eclectic staircase in Los Angeles.

Mark Woods
This is an example of a midcentury wood staircase in Seattle.

Inspiration for a beach style staircase in Charleston.

Staircase renovation by SCD Design & Construction. Turn your stairs into the perfect accent piece for your home. Take your lifestyle to new heights with SCD Design & Construction next time you renovate your home!

Inspiration for a mid-sized country carpeted u-shaped staircase in Boise with carpet risers and wood railing.

General Contractor: Hagstrom Builders | Photos: Corey Gaffer Photography
This is an example of a transitional wood l-shaped staircase in Minneapolis with painted wood risers.

Design ideas for a beach style wood curved staircase in Los Angeles with wood risers and mixed railing.

Design ideas for a mid-sized modern wood l-shaped staircase in Tampa with wood risers and metal railing.

Industrial staircase in Kansas City.

Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional wood l-shaped staircase in Little Rock with painted wood risers and wood railing.

Design ideas for a transitional staircase in San Francisco.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional painted wood curved staircase in New York with painted wood risers and wood railing.

Elegant foyer stair wraps a paneled, two-story entry hall. David Burroughs
Traditional wood u-shaped staircase in Baltimore with painted wood risers.