Staircase in the interior – creativity of functionality is not an obstacle

Recommendation points

• Art Nouveau staircase – floral motifs, tree railings, curved lines, asymmetric curves
• High-tech staircase – glass railings and steps, floating structure, chrome and concrete
• Staircase-wardrobe, library, sleeping place, exhibition of paintings and collections
• All the best for children – a ladder with a slide
• Classic, country, English and Scandinavian style in the design of the stairs – what is the difference

In this article we will talk about the options for building and installing a staircase that will not only perfectly fit into the interior of the room, but will become a key design element, a real highlight of your home. We will offer several unusual options for the design of the stairs, the practical use of the space under the structure. We will explore the possibilities of turning the stairs not into a banal transition between floors, but into a real art object.

Of course, first of all, a staircase is a connecting link between the different levels of your house. All members of your family will have to climb it, and many times a day, especially if bedrooms are located on the second floor of the house, therefore the reliability and safety of the stairs is the most important criterion in choosing the design and finishing of steps and railings.

But in this case, it is quite possible to get by with standard solutions, the main thing is that the steps are wide enough, the railings are strong, and the ascent itself is not too steep. With this approach, a finished staircase purchased in a hypermarket can ruin the whole impression of the interior design of the whole house, turning out to be a completely alien element. Let’s try to surprise you with the design of the stairs, which can not only perform a number of practical functions, but also truly transform the house..

Art Nouveau staircase – floral motifs, tree railings, curved lines, asymmetric curves

Who said that the stairs must have straight steps, spans that turn exactly at an angle of 90 degrees and the same traditionally straight railings? A striking example of an extraordinary approach to the design of stairs can be the Art Nouveau style. He does not accept straight and strict lines, strives for natural forms inherent in plants, and loves to experiment.

This interior style, which has been popular for many years, is perfect for a staircase of complex curved shape with reliable metal fences that look like strange plants and thin tree trunks.

Curved, literally meandering metal fences, smooth curves, wrought-iron flowers, leaves and vines – that’s what an Art Nouveau staircase is. To add elements of this elegant style, you can choose a tempered glass railing with a thickness of 8-12 millimeters, on which all the same floral patterns or smooth lines will be drawn.

In general, a staircase in the Art Nouveau style can be both wooden and metal. However, in the case of making a structure made of wood, special attention should be paid to the railings – they should be smooth and smoothly turn following the entire staircase. Screw designs look great in the Art Nouveau style, which initially cannot be straight and strict.

Usually, the Art Nouveau style is chosen for decorating their home by creative personalities who would like to emphasize the individuality of the interior. Well, such an unusual staircase will become a real highlight and will say a lot about the tastes of its owner..

In this case, the railing became a harmonious continuation of the skirting board. Wooden railings bend like real vines, go to the ceiling and make this staircase the most unusual design element of the room

High-tech staircase – glass railings and steps, floating structure, chrome and concrete

If you have read our article about the “high-tech” high-tech design style, then you have a good idea of ​​all its features and addiction to such seemingly too industrial materials like glass, chrome and concrete. A staircase in this style can be of very different shapes, but most often they are straight, functional structures, in which there is nothing superfluous.

High-tech stairs can be confidently called the complete opposite of the soft and tending to natural lines of modernity. Even if they are made of wood, the railings almost always shine with chrome, the railing is tempered glass without any patterns or designs, and the structure itself has a solid base of concrete or stainless steel.

The treads of “high-tech” staircases are sometimes mounted to the wall using hidden fixings to create the feeling of a structure literally floating in the air. In addition, typical elements of high-tech stairs are triplex steps, practically untreated, deliberately rough concrete or even sheet metal, although the latter option is more suitable for non-residential premises, for example, stairs to the basement or non-residential attic.

High-tech staircases look laconic, they do not accept pomp and splendor, but they are very modern, unusual, reliable and do an excellent job with their main function – to connect the floors and levels of the house.

Staircase floating in the air in a simple high-tech style.

Staircase-wardrobe, library, sleeping place, exhibition of paintings and collections

Leaving a large enough space under the stairs empty can only be afforded by the owners of large houses, where there is already enough storage space. In other cases, it is worth thinking about – why waste precious square meters, if under the stairs you can equip a real library or an exhibition of a collection that has been collected for years.

How exactly to use the space under the stairs depends on which room it is in. For example, if the staircase is located in the hall, it would be logical to place under it a hanger for outerwear, a bedside table for shoes, small shelves for keys, a shoe brush, and so on..

If there is a kitchen near the stairs, then it would be appropriate to place open shelves for dishes, a wine cellar or a mini-bar under its steps. The ideal option for arranging the space under the stairs in the living room will be bookshelves or a rack for souvenirs and various small things..

If there is not much space under the stairs, then the boxes and shelves will have to be ordered exactly according to the span dimensions. Under a sufficiently high structure, you can even place a seating area, put a sofa, or a desk – then this corner will turn into a real separate office.

An unusual option is open shelves under the stairs, which look like a natural continuation of the steps themselves, smoothly turning into the wall. Sliding modules are also convenient, which will allow you to quickly find the right thing. A full-fledged pantry may appear under the stairs, behind the door of which you can hide anything – from bicycles and skis to a vacuum cleaner. And this corner can also become a children’s play area or a real house for toddlers..

It is possible and necessary to use not only the space under the stairs, but also the walls along it, as well as the area between the flights of stairs, if any. The wall above the railing can become an art gallery, a place where painted plates, unusual lamps, children’s drawings or family photos will look appropriate. On a wide staircase, you can put a floor vase, armchair, floor lamp or high shelf.

Havea cozy corner where it is so pleasant to sit with a book. There is everything you need for a real sleeping place – lighting, a custom made sofa, drawers for linen and even two small shelves for books and magazines. These under the stairs are traditionally used in American homes.

All the best for children – a ladder with a slide

Going down the steps, walking slowly and carefully watching where to put your foot – it’s so boring! Especially if you are only seven years old and you are in a hurry to the kitchen, where mom is preparing something delicious. A ladder with a slide can be great fun not only for children, in some cases adults can also go down it..

Do not think that a slide running parallel to the steps will make your room look like a playground. If you maintain the entire design of the structure in the same style, then it is often difficult to see the gentle slope, especially if it literally merges with the wall.

The slide can be an addition to both the usual straight line and the spiral staircase – it will be even more interesting to go down the winding path. Of course, such a staircase will have to be made to order, however, your children will definitely thank you for the fun entertainment and the opportunity to get to the first floor faster than their parents.

The slide of this staircase looks like a natural continuation of the entire structure and is made of the same wood as the steps. Thanks to this solution, the staircase, despite such an original addition, will be appropriate even in a classic interior.

This straight staircase with a slide on the side was created by a London architect who decided to please his kids. The white slide actually merges with the wall, so it did not have much effect on the appearance of the high-tech structure

Classic, country, English and Scandinavian style in the design of the stairs – what is the difference

It is sometimes very difficult to figure out how a staircase in a classic style differs from designs designed according to the principles of country or Scandinavian interiors. In all these cases, wooden staircases with smooth railings are traditional, but clear differences can still be identified.

So, a classic staircase is a representative structure with a carved railing, made of ash, oak, walnut, mahogany or other types of wood. This is an option for all times, quite expensive, respectable, solid, making the house more comfortable and beautiful. Traditionally flat railings, massive wooden steps, strict rows of balusters decorated with carvings, noble patina or gilding – such stairs, as emphasized by architects and designers, are chosen by most of the homeowners..

The staircase in the English style differs from its classic “colleague” only in a more austere decor – there are less carvings and splendor. Otherwise, both of these options can be easily confused..

Country music is deservedly called a rustic style and the staircase in such a room must match – gilding, elaborate carving and noble varnish in this case will be inappropriate. Rough, minimally processed boards or timber, simple but reliable steps, a minimum of decorations, artificially aged wood, simple forging, no concrete or glass are the basic principles of a country-style staircase. In comparison with the classical design, such a staircase may look too simple and rough, inelegant, but if the whole room is designed in the same “rustic” style, it will perfectly fit into the interior. Another advantage of this version of the staircase is its relative (in comparison with the classic) cheapness.

The Scandinavian style is considered the ancestor of the “green”, eco-friendly interior. The stairs in such houses are usually distinguished by simple straight shapes, look much more modern than the classics and are somewhat similar to high-tech designs. This style can be called universal, not requiring significant costs, which, of course, affects the design of stairs..

The owners of two- and three-story houses have no choice – they simply cannot do without stairs. But how exactly it will look like, whether it will become an ordinary road connecting the levels, or a highlight of the interior of the whole house – it’s up to the owners to decide. Enjoyable descents and easy ascents!