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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.
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.
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.
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.
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The trend towards organic and curved stair designs is making waves in contemporary interiors. These designs break away from the traditional straight lines, introducing fluidity and movement.
Hanging a collection of art or a recently found vintage treasure can be just what you need to give your staircase the personality boost it needs. You can also simply paint your stairs or railing for an easy-to-accomplish upgrade with loads of design power. (Get started with one of our favorite paint colors.)
Open Riser and Glass Railings: Transparency and Light
Open riser stairs and glass railings continue to be in vogue, emphasizing transparency and allowing natural light to flow through the space. This design choice not only enhances the feeling of openness but also creates a visually light and airy atmosphere.
Blending materials is all the rage in staircase design this year. Combining contrasting elements like metal and wood or glass and stone creates a visually stunning effect. For instance, a sleek metal railing paired with warm wooden steps strikes a perfect balance between industrial and natural aesthetics.
How do you modernize a staircase? To modernize a staircase, some ideas include replacing traditional balusters with sleek metal ones, painting the staircase a bold color, adding a runner or carpet to the stairs, and installing modern lighting fixtures.
What is the rule of 27 for stairs? Your stairway should be 27 inches or wider as measured below the handrail if there are rails on both sides. This is for comfort purposes, and ideally, you should make it as wide as possible.
The IRC stairs code states that, to comply with stairway requirements, the minimum width for residential stairs be no less than 36 inches. The stair riser code is up to 7.75 inches, and can not vary more than 3/8 of an inch. There are also section codes in place for standard stair tread dimensions.
Straight staircases are the most common in architecture because they are relatively easy to design and construct. However, they use more linear space and may not be functional for every floor plan.
Going – the going of a flight of stairs is the horizontal distance between the face of the first and last risers. The individual going of a step is measured from face of riser to face of riser and for domestic use should be a minimum of 220mm.
For each going: minimum 215mm, maximum 355mm. The going shall be not greater than the tread depth (TD) plus a maximum gap of 30 mm between the rear edge of one tread and the nosing of the tread above.
Introduction: My name is Tyson Zemlak, I am a excited, light, sparkling, super, open, fair, magnificent person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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