30 Incredible Staircase Designs Guaranteed to Impress
Not only are staircases functional, they are capable of incredible beauty. Here is our pick of those worth ascending to
Ornate or austere, spiral or straight, staircases are incredible objects. First and foremost they are functional, allowing us to easily move between levels in a home, but beyond that the choice is vast – they can be sculptural or minimal, embrace texture or tone, be designed to emphasise angularity or grandiosity. Then there’s the decision to make the treads or the balustrades the hero feature. Here is our pick of an outstanding bunch, ready for you to bookmark for your future statement staircase.
2. Location: Australia
What we love about it: It is the very picture of elegance; a staircase that sets up a wonderfully dramatic descent.
What we love about it: It is the very picture of elegance; a staircase that sets up a wonderfully dramatic descent.
3. Location: Sicily, Italy
What we love about it: Looking beyond the lack of balustrade for a moment, this staircase has presence. It is a great example of a contemporary staircase that fits in beautifully with its surroundings.
Browse through images of beautiful staircases
What we love about it: Looking beyond the lack of balustrade for a moment, this staircase has presence. It is a great example of a contemporary staircase that fits in beautifully with its surroundings.
Browse through images of beautiful staircases
4. Location: Sydney, NSW
What we love about it: We love the way the dark timber treads and handrail seem to float in light in this design by Luigi Rosselli Architects.
What we love about it: We love the way the dark timber treads and handrail seem to float in light in this design by Luigi Rosselli Architects.
5. Location: New York, USA
What we love about it: Fittingly, this custom-made helix staircase is a feature in the home of an artist. We love the decorative details and finishes, which are specially designed to complement the elegant expression found in decorations throughout the home.
What we love about it: Fittingly, this custom-made helix staircase is a feature in the home of an artist. We love the decorative details and finishes, which are specially designed to complement the elegant expression found in decorations throughout the home.
6. Location: Sydney, NSW
What we love about it: In this Victorian terrace in Surry Hills, a space-efficient spiral staircase leads to a new attic level/kids’ retreat. We are fans of the two-tone approach and simplicity of design – the black-lined treads provide a sturdy visual and tactile support in an area bathed in light.
What we love about it: In this Victorian terrace in Surry Hills, a space-efficient spiral staircase leads to a new attic level/kids’ retreat. We are fans of the two-tone approach and simplicity of design – the black-lined treads provide a sturdy visual and tactile support in an area bathed in light.
7. Location: London, UK
What we love about it: The way the bottom two steps billow out in an organic form compared to the more traditional linear form of the stairs above. We also love the sweeping handrail… And last but not least, the beautiful contrast of white and timber. A timeless combination not seen enough on staircases.
What we love about it: The way the bottom two steps billow out in an organic form compared to the more traditional linear form of the stairs above. We also love the sweeping handrail… And last but not least, the beautiful contrast of white and timber. A timeless combination not seen enough on staircases.
8. Location: London, UK
What we love about it: This classic two-up two-down period terrace was transformed into a contemporary, light-filled living space with this dramatic staircase centre stage. It’s also a lesson in the effect of a skylight on a stairwell – which in this case allows light to cascade into the middle of the living area.
See how these lights bring a shine to staircases
What we love about it: This classic two-up two-down period terrace was transformed into a contemporary, light-filled living space with this dramatic staircase centre stage. It’s also a lesson in the effect of a skylight on a stairwell – which in this case allows light to cascade into the middle of the living area.
See how these lights bring a shine to staircases
9. Location: Sydney, NSW
What we love about it: This spiral staircase provides a vibrant transition from indoors to out. We like its low-maintenance appeal, and the way the timber treads warm up the steel structure.
What we love about it: This spiral staircase provides a vibrant transition from indoors to out. We like its low-maintenance appeal, and the way the timber treads warm up the steel structure.
10. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
What we love about it: Another steel staircase but with added details that lift it beyond the ordinary. We love the contrast and the way the black steel lines the bottom of each timber tread. Also the clever integration of wallpaper and ceiling detail. A brilliant interplay that really makes this one a standout. Special shout out for that incredible floor too.
What we love about it: Another steel staircase but with added details that lift it beyond the ordinary. We love the contrast and the way the black steel lines the bottom of each timber tread. Also the clever integration of wallpaper and ceiling detail. A brilliant interplay that really makes this one a standout. Special shout out for that incredible floor too.
11. Location: Sydney, NSW
What we love about it: Because simplicity is also appealing. We admire the way this staircase could work in a variety of spaces, from coastal to mid-century. Sturdy and deliberate, but the lack of risers means it resists being blocky. Superb.
What we love about it: Because simplicity is also appealing. We admire the way this staircase could work in a variety of spaces, from coastal to mid-century. Sturdy and deliberate, but the lack of risers means it resists being blocky. Superb.
12. Location: Sydney, NSW
What we love about it: Just gorgeous for a small space that doesn’t section off the staircase. We also love the way it allows light into an internal space. Vertical battens are a perennial favourite of ours.
What we love about it: Just gorgeous for a small space that doesn’t section off the staircase. We also love the way it allows light into an internal space. Vertical battens are a perennial favourite of ours.
13. Location: Brisbane, Queensland
What we love about it: A change of colour on the sides of the stairs, referencing the other objects in the room, makes this staircase just that little bit special. Simple, strong lines and the use of honed masonry elevate this staircase beyond the ordinary.
What we love about it: A change of colour on the sides of the stairs, referencing the other objects in the room, makes this staircase just that little bit special. Simple, strong lines and the use of honed masonry elevate this staircase beyond the ordinary.
15. Location: Sydney, NSW
What we love about it: For the love of a batten. Or lots of battens. And the irresistible use of double wood.
What we love about it: For the love of a batten. Or lots of battens. And the irresistible use of double wood.
16. Location: Sydney, NSW
What we love about it: We love the way the battens have been carried through with built-in storage in the form of under-stair storage and shadow boxes.
What we love about it: We love the way the battens have been carried through with built-in storage in the form of under-stair storage and shadow boxes.
17. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
What we love about it: The incredibly tactile combination of raw timber, steel, stone and blown glass. All beautifully visible through the steel rods of the balustrade. Absolutely sensational.
Take a look at these 8 railings that transform the look of staircases
What we love about it: The incredibly tactile combination of raw timber, steel, stone and blown glass. All beautifully visible through the steel rods of the balustrade. Absolutely sensational.
Take a look at these 8 railings that transform the look of staircases
18. Location: Paris, France
What we love about it: White against black. Elegant in its simplicity.
What we love about it: White against black. Elegant in its simplicity.
19. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
What we love about it: Here, the form of the staircase plays second fiddle to the runner. A great trick if you don’t want to break your budget by using more expensive timbers but do want a dramatic staircase.
What we love about it: Here, the form of the staircase plays second fiddle to the runner. A great trick if you don’t want to break your budget by using more expensive timbers but do want a dramatic staircase.
20. Location: Valencia, Spain
What we love about it: Because you can still have stairs with personality in a tight space.
What we love about it: Because you can still have stairs with personality in a tight space.
21. Location: Sydney, NSW
What we love about it: We love the way the homeowners have made this double-width, non-standard space work by mixing up materials and tread heights.
What we love about it: We love the way the homeowners have made this double-width, non-standard space work by mixing up materials and tread heights.
22. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
What we love about it: The simplicity and the focus on material over form.
What we love about it: The simplicity and the focus on material over form.
23. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
What we love about it: Because the form of the staircase balustrade isn’t made a hero feature often enough. We love this shapely sculptural approach.
What we love about it: Because the form of the staircase balustrade isn’t made a hero feature often enough. We love this shapely sculptural approach.
24. Location: Philadelphia, USA
What we love about it: Ditto. But we love this very wall-climb-y, active-family interpretation as well as the fun deconstruction of the balustrade.
What we love about it: Ditto. But we love this very wall-climb-y, active-family interpretation as well as the fun deconstruction of the balustrade.
25. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
What we love about it: Sometimes you just have to get back to a staircase being a staircase. We admire how the knots of wood are featured so prominently in this design.
What we love about it: Sometimes you just have to get back to a staircase being a staircase. We admire how the knots of wood are featured so prominently in this design.
26. Location: Sydney, NSW
What we love about it: Again, strong but simple.
What we love about it: Again, strong but simple.
27. Location: Sydney, NSW
What we love about it: Where you need to integrate a staircase into an open room, this is a fabulous option. An entire glass wall that provides the form for a balustrade, lined in steel with a visible staircase. A great option for contemporary homes.
What we love about it: Where you need to integrate a staircase into an open room, this is a fabulous option. An entire glass wall that provides the form for a balustrade, lined in steel with a visible staircase. A great option for contemporary homes.
28. Location: Sydney, NSW
What we love about it: Minimalism at its finest. Bold lines, no fuss. Just a fabulous smooth approach to a staircase with black detail drawing the eye downwards.
What we love about it: Minimalism at its finest. Bold lines, no fuss. Just a fabulous smooth approach to a staircase with black detail drawing the eye downwards.
29. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
What we love about it: Whereas this is maximalism personified. And we love it for its bubbly, irrepressible personality.
What we love about it: Whereas this is maximalism personified. And we love it for its bubbly, irrepressible personality.
30. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
What we love about it: Because why not make a feature of your stairway? A strong masculine form creates a sense of architectural drama in this space.
Read more:
Most Popular Staircase Designs on Houzz India
Tell us:
Which of these staircases is your favourite and which ideas are you most likely to pinch? Tell us in the Comments below.
What we love about it: Because why not make a feature of your stairway? A strong masculine form creates a sense of architectural drama in this space.
Read more:
Most Popular Staircase Designs on Houzz India
Tell us:
Which of these staircases is your favourite and which ideas are you most likely to pinch? Tell us in the Comments below.
What we love about it: The limed-timber treads on the staircase offset against the fine black balustrades, not to mention the book-filled bookshelf nestled between the studs of the wall to support the staircase.