Choosing the perfect staircase for your home

Your staircase is often the first thing someone sees when they enter your home.

Although the main purpose is to allow people to move between floors, your staircase doesn’t need to be boring – and first impressions count, right?

So why not use your staircase to reflect your personality and individual style, create a focal point, and tie your home’s overall design together?

Sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it? But before you start to design your staircase, there’s a few points you should consider.

Table of Contents

What’s your budget?

Firstly, like with any home improvement project, you’ll need to decide on your budget.

Unless absolutely falling apart, most staircases can be given a new lease of life with just a few stair part replacements.

Changing your spindles, upgrading your handrail or re-carpeting your treads, for example, can make all the difference without breaking the bank.

Deciding on your budget will allow you to choose which parts you focus on.

Turning your staircase renovation into a DIY project will also help to save money, allowing you to splash out on higher quality materials or replace more elements of your staircase.

If you don’t want the stress of a DIY job, and your budget allows it, you could enlist the help of a professional.

Which styles do you prefer?

Next, you need to find some style inspiration. Visit showrooms, get your friends’ opinions and trawl through Pinterest.

Start by decide between a contemporary or traditional staircase.

Will you create a statement staircase with a rustic vibe or a seamless finish, matching your staircase to your hall and landing design?

Which materials will you use?

Woods or metals. Or will you create an interesting contrast using both?

Then, what will you do with your treads? Carpet, paint, tiles – the options are endless.

What’s your space like?

You can only work with the space you have. So, whether you like it or not, the size and shape of your space may dictate your staircase design.

This is where colours really come into play. For example, lighter colours can help make a smaller, enclosed space feel lighter and brighter.

If your space is quite large, you could be more playful. Open treads create an exciting yet simple focus or you could achieve a refined style with a spiral staircase.

You can also experiment with different materials to enhance or complement your space.

For example, glass panels, in place of spindles, are a great way to open up a smaller space creating a bright, airy feel whilst allowing plenty of natural light to flow.

Is your home a modern paradise? A bare stone staircase may help you elevate this even further thanks to the crisp yet contemporary finish it offers.