Staircase designs are one of the important elements of architecture, which guides the path to go vertically. They allow users to travel vertically from a certain height distance to another, acting as a vertical bridge, an easy innovation of history, probably more than 6000 BCE. History has shown a constantly changing trend in the design and evolution of stairs (w.r.t. materials, design, the addition of elements, structure) with every architectural period 9 from ancient civilization to the 21st century.
In today’s world, we often see synonyms of the stairs in more advanced ways such as Lifts, elevators, stairlifts, ladders, escalators, walkways, and ramps, which function similarly to the stairs.
Table of Contents
Staircase Terminology
Various parts of the Staircase
Step
A step comprises two parts of the staircase- Riser and Tread.
Riser
The Vertical element that adds height to the tread is known as a riser. Closed staircases have risers in various styles and materials, whereas Open stairs do not have risers, so they are known as open-tread staircases. The number of Risers is calculated by dividing the floor-to-floor height by the height of 1 Riser.
According to the National Building Code of India, Chapter 3, under the staircase provision, the maximum riser height shall be 150 mm irrespective of the building type. There should be a maximum of 12 risers in a single flight.
Tread
The horizontal element, i.e. the base of the staircase on which the user steps in to move vertically is known as a tread. All staircases have treads irrespective of the width and thickness. The number of Treads is always one less than the number of Risers. According to the National Building Code of India, the minimum tread should not exceed 250 mm.
Wood Modern Style Straight Staircase Design
Landing
The wide step or platform provides a resting space or indicates a change in the direction of the staircase. The landing should be placed after every 12 risers in a flight.
Flight
A vertical series of steps bridging between two levels of a structure.
Nosing
The extended edge part of the tread is known as nosing. It is used to protect from injury as most of the walking activity takes place on the tread. The most commonly used materials for nosing are marble, vinyl, aluminium, wood, etc.
Handrail
A handrail is a rail placed right above the pitch to hold and support the user. It is also termed a bannister. Every staircase set has a handrail as one of the components. It commonly ranges between 80 and 90 cm. For the elderly or physically abled- a different railing is provided on the left side of the stair directly attached to the wall. The handrail is fixed on balustrades which supports to stand erect. Add elegance with a stair handrail design glass option for a sleek and modern look.
Newel Post
The vertical support column placed at the beginning and the end of the handrail provides support to both the handrail and balustrades. It is generally 9×9 cm.
Evolution of Staircase Design
Old Wooden Staircase Stock Photos
The staircase design house is a wonderful and comfortable creation of the ancient period for going vertically. Earlier it was strictly restricted to mud staircases or stone staircases serving only the function of going upstairs. But, with growing time, there’s been a prominent growth in the design aspects of staircases. How important it is for a residence to have a pleasing yet durable staircase.
Choosing the right staircase design house plan is crucial for both aesthetics and functionality. Let’s discuss some of the staircase designs in different scenarios for a residence.
Modern Staircase Designs
Stunning glass staircase designs
Generally, staircases have been restricted to dog-legged, straight, u-turn staircases in residential and commercial buildings. Classical or lavish buildings, especially vast residences or palaces, enjoyed spiral and bifurcated staircases. Nowadays, staircase designs have been modernized and gone beyond the mundane, improving fluid connections to upper and lower floors.
These changes have been consistent in the visual appeal of the staircase structure and steps, railing, materials, etc. A staircase design modern style can instantly give your home a contemporary upgrade.
Floating Staircases
These staircases tend to determine the idea that treads are in the air or floating in a particular direction, this appears without support obstructing the natural view. These minimalistic trending staircases in a house offer unobstructed views. The design not only avails in linear geometry but also has proofs in curves.
Cantilever Staircases
The staircases where tread appears to be in the air as if in the air and without any support. The support is hidden in minimalistic ways. The difference between the floating staircase and the cantilever staircase is there is hidden structural support in these staircases. The tension is visually strong.
Staircase Design Inside House
Staircases inside homes are not only a way to go upwards but also add to the aesthetics of the interiors. A staircase designed well and placed in a nice spot surely changes the outlook. If designed there, it can add an element to the living room and provide a room for light in the interiors with a touch of nature. Let’s cover some aesthetic staircase designs in different materials and styles. The perfect stair design inside house plans can make your interiors more dynamic and spacious.
Stair Design with Storage
Maximizing space under the stairs can be utilized. It can be used as a storage space, a place for an interior garden, or any other useful or recreational purpose. Innovative stair design with storage is perfect for maximizing small spaces.
Designing a Cozy spot under the staircase
Staircase spaces can be designed as special nook spots with little storage where one can read, spend lazy time, or sit idly and keep small things as storage or for decoration. Architects design these spaces for the pantry for the kitchen or extend a kitchen space alongside a staircase, such as for firewood storage or setting up a minibar. Clever stair design small space solutions help maximize functionality without compromising on style.
Firewood storage under the stairs adds texture and utility space
Stair Design as Book Library or Home office
Dull and abandoned spaces under the staircase can be transformed into a useful study/office space with a large book wall below and along the stairways. The picture below sets a high bar for a classy library space built below the stairs.
Classy bookcase with study/office under the stairs
Indoor Garden under the Stairs
Empty spaces can make a house look mundane. The staircase is not just a way of going upstairs but a short journey that can change the outlook of the house. The journey should be pleasing and at least be made useful. Adding low-maintenance greenery to the interiors allows proper ventilation and fresh air to enter the room, which makes users feel calm and pleasant.
Every time architects and designers try their best to beat the monotony and transform an abandoned space under the staircase into beautiful imagery, the ideas never cease.
Staircase Railing Designs
Railings are an important element in the staircase design as they are used as a holding element or support to move vertically. Railings have undergone a beautiful and useful transformation from heavy ornate traditional wooden railings to sleek modern glass railings. Depending upon the style of the interiors or exteriors wherever the staircases are best placed, different materials and designs have been prominently chosen for them.
A stylish stair railing design can transform your staircase into a stunning focal point. Opting for a staircase design glass structure brings an open and airy feel to your interiors. Enhance elegance and visibility with a glass railing design for stairs.
Based on material choice:
Glass Railings
For a sleek and contemporary interior style, glass railings are a perfect choice. A frameless glass in glass railings is a popular choice. Tempered clear glass, colourful glasses, black glass, textured glass, etc. are some of the glasses used in the glass grills. These glass railings are fixed through metal clips, an EPDM gasket is also provided for protection from vibration and insulation.
Black Glass used in the Interior staircase railings
The railing provides an unobstructed view and is durable enough to withstand. It can be used with or without a frame. The glass railing is often used with aluminium or other metal posts, steel posts, etc.
Steel Railings
Steel in railings look classy, aesthetically pleasing, and are durable. Different types of steel are used in railings preferably stainless steel. Steel can be used as an overall material in the railings, or it can be used in combination with glass railings, wooden railings, glacier panels, etc. It can also be used in different ways such as in geometric style, with LED Lights, there have been thousands of adaptations happening to make steel railings elegant. Choose modern stairs railing designs in steel for a sleek and minimalist look.
Stainless Steel gives an elegant look to the railings
Wood Railings
Wood Railings are a classic example of a royal and seamless staircase to your home.
Wooden handrails in the staircases are durable
Oak and Pine are the most preferred woods used for railings. Oak is durable and provides a natural look but it is a bit expensive, whereas Pine wood is less durable as compared to Oak, but offers various reasons to use it for the staircase railings. Warm and timeless, stair design wood choices bring natural beauty into your home.
Cable Railings
Cable railings are widely used in the exterior of commercial and pool areas. These railings are corrosion-resistant and weather resistant which makes them the best option to use near water-side areas such as pools, etc. Generally, stainless steel is used as cables in staircases or general railings.
These railings offer unobstructed views because cables are less known hurdles. Their strength and durability depend on the type of material, size, and how close the cables and posts are held together.
Stainless steel is used as a cable railing
Staircase Lobby Design Makeover
The journey to the stairs before climbing should be pleasing and designed carefully. That allows the architect to have an insight into the user’s mind of what he/she must be going through, it depicts a trail of emotion. Therefore, a staircase hallway or lobby can be designed depending on the interior of that house or the approach to staircase design.
House stairs design should complement your home’s interior style while ensuring safety and comfort. The staircases have always been a discussion of evolution. When one thinks they can’t be more enhanced, an innovative element adds up.
Adding a sculpture or a piece of art
The sculpture adds drama to the staircase lobby
Adding a sculpture or an artistic element can add drama or fun to the lobby. It can define the user’s personality. The sculpture in the above picture cuts off the monotony of a similar colour scheme with nothing to catch sight of. The introduction of an artistic element makes the lobby look interesting.
Introducing furniture to the lobby
Introducing a flower table to the Staircase lobby
Introducing a flower vase or a coffee table in the lobby can bring out the sweet and dreamy side of the interiors. The furniture can give a classy, royal, and elegant look. The lobby space can also be treated with the living area furniture such as a couch or console, depending on the location of the staircase inside.
The staircase lobby functions as a living area.
Adding a chandelier and crafty floor tiles
Mosaic tiles, patterned tiles, or any other classic or chequered floor tiles or a pattern can also enhance the lobby. Adding creative and attractive tiles for your stairway with staircase design tiles for both safety and visual appeal. Sometimes, the users want to opt for minimalism and want less furniture to be placed. A staircase lobby can work well with a chandelier in the centre with an eye-catching floor pattern. Enhance the look of your steps with creative stair tiles design that suits both indoor and outdoor spaces.
Introducing a green space to the lobby
Durable and stylish staircase design outdoor options are essential for garden or patio areas.
Adding indoor landscaping to the lobby
Unique Staircase Tile Design
Tiles are an important aspect of staircase design. The appropriate choice of tiles can elevate the aesthetic and safety of a staircase. The selection of tiles may vary depending on the interior mood board, the safety, and durability of the building, and the cost.
Ceramic Tiles are used in the interior staircase.
These tiles are best suited for interiors. Ceramic patterned tiles bring the aesthetic and cultural aspect of the staircase. These are durable, water-resistant, and easy to clean and maintain.
Quarry Terra Tiles bring earthly tones to the interiors
Quarry tiles are a prominent choice, as they look similar to terracotta tiles and provide a natural look. These tiles are extremely durable, quite affordable, and long-lasting.
Glass Staircases add elegance to the room
Glass Tiles add visual interest and an unobstructed view to the user. These tiles add depth to the environment. Glass lets the user feel like he/she is floating upwards. These types of tiles are quite popular in modern staircases.
Tiles Lighting
LED lights are often used in tiles for ambient illumination. The tranquillity of the space can be felt through ambient lighting, which adds a guiding effect to the house.
LED lights add elegance to the tiles
Wall-mounted Steplight to illuminate the staircase
Wall-mounted aluminium step light provides a minimalistic look to the staircases. These lights go well with the sleek and sharp design of the interiors.
Rectangular Grills LED Modern Lights
Staircases have transformed lives and houses in many effective ways such as adding visual appeal to the lobby spaces. From mud/rope ladders to moving stairs called escalators, staircases have evolved with generations and will continue to do so. Diverse and innovative staircases also inspire level architecture designs.
