Types of Staircases and Stair Designs

Stairs are unequivocally an integral part of any and every house with more than one level. Be it new construction or a remodelling project; considering the types of stair designs that best suit the project’s requirement is extremely important. It is also true that different staircases offer different and specific kinds of visual appeal (depending upon your tastes, of course!) and are very relative in terms of the space they may occupy. 

Hence, whenever you begin with staircase considerations for your residential or commercial projects, ensure that you have done your homework on the types of staircases and stair designs for them to complement your project in the best way possible.

Here’s a list of stair designs that make for a great staircase: -

• Straight Staircase
• L-shaped Staircase
• Spiral Staircase
• Circular Staircase
• Curved Staircase
• Ladder Staircase
• Split Staircase
• Space-Saving Staircase
• Floating Staircase

1. Straight Staircase

One of the most common and affordable stair designs is the straight staircase. Maximum users incorporate the straight stair design for its simplicity and productivity. The fact that a straight line design needs no special support and can simply be attached from the bottom to top, makes it for easy installation of handrails and railings. Also, because of the subtlety of the simple design, straight stairs come in a multitude of variations with more modern materials and better appealing looks.  

Even though a straight staircase is the most common, it isn’t perfect. You should keep in mind that it utilizes a greater amount of linear space which can cause major issues if your project is designed otherwise.

2. L-shaped Staircase

Another common yet attractive stair design is the L-shaped staircase. These are basically the straight staircase with a turn, in either the middle or towards one of the opposite ends. L-shaped staircases are increasing in their popularity, primarily due to the better visual appeal and the fact that they take up significantly lesser space than straight staircases. A note to keep in mind though is that these are a little complex to build and might end up being an expensive affair. Also, they need support at the landing as well as the turn.

3. Spiral Staircase

An extremely compact, visually appealing but difficult to navigate stair design is the spiral staircase. It is a highly sought out stair design for tighter spaces, but these can be referred to more of a novelty style than anything else. You can find spiral stairs with a central post and attached steps radiating from the same. Due to its characteristics, spiral staircases are commonly found in beach houses and compact city houses. These are ranked high on the style quotient but not much on the usability front. The design is extremely narrow making it difficult to move larger items and restricting the passage to one person at a time. 

4. Circular Staircase

If you wish to make a prime design statement that is all about splendour, circular staircases will not disappoint! Contrary to popular belief, a circular staircase is less spiral and more traditional in its construction. With steps that are more tapered and a curve that is relaxed, the circular stair design makes for one of the easiest staircase designs to navigate through. Also known as Helix stairs, circular staircases have a graceful curve which helps in creating a beautiful architectural focal point. With such pizzazz, this design surely needs a good amount of space and a hefty sum to build and construct. 

5. Curved Staircase

A much more elegant yet subtle stair design is that of a curved staircase. Mostly used for or near entryways, a curved staircase is sure to impress all those who see and use it. Unlike the circular and spiral staircases, the curved design in curved staircases is not to form a circle but to mainly use as a major design feature. With gentle curves traversing, these make for an elegant stair design for homes. However, the curved staircases are considered to be extremely difficult in construction and hence, extract a very high construction cost.

6. Ladder Staircase

The go-to stair design for tight spaces and small residences is the ladder staircase. Not only are these extremely space-efficient but also add in on the productivity front. What’s better is that these are highly versatile and come in a variety of styles that cater to a wide audience of residents. You can go ahead with a literal ladder staircase or go for a more stylized version to not compromise on the visual appeal. In any case, you need to keep in mind that the ladder style staircases have taller steps which might make it difficult for you to climb them.

7. Split Staircase

The Grande Dame of all staircases, split stairs are built to highlight the grandeur of entranceways. Originally called bifurcated, split staircases start with a wider flight at the bottom and the flights get narrower as you go up. It’s large, expensive and expansive; this design is sure to make a statement that leaves quite the impression!

8. Space-Saving Staircase

If saving big on spaces is your priority and living in compact homes makes it all the more difficult; you’d be surprised by how befitting a space-saving staircase can be for you! Sure, a ladder staircase is great for compact residences, but space-saving staircases enhance space management by many folds. Besides, you can find numerous varieties in this design to suit your particular needs. These staircases have a great visual appeal owing to the steeply pitched and ribbon styled stairs that come across as minimalistic.

9. Floating Staircase

It is a slight variation and/or a modern take on the straight staircase. Floating staircases comprises of treads without risers; these treads are themselves attached in a way that makes the support seem invisible. You can also find the use of glass or Plexiglass risers to achieve a floating appearance. Materials that are common in the construction of a floating staircase include metal, glass, stone and sometimes wood. This design offers a unique visual appeal; the only catch though is that you need to ensure that the design conforms to the building codes. 

Staircase designs play a key role in deciding the space management and the visual appeal of your residence, office or any other project site. Make sure you’ve considered the pros and cons of the design you have chosen before you move ahead with getting it built.