When it comes to your home, every square foot offers value, but, like many other homeowners, you may be shortchanging yourself in certain areas. While having a bright, modern kitchen or an updated bathroom adds value to your home, having a safe, contemporary and carefully designed staircase does the same.
Unfortunately, many people neglect their staircases, instead focusing on the aforementioned kitchen and bathroom areas. Giving appropriate attention to your stairs can help your home stand out in a crowded market, though, and it can also make your living environment more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing. Before you tear out your existing stairs, though, consider these tips and guidelines.
Opt for wood
Simply put, wood stairs look better than carpeted ones. They’re also far more appealing to potential homebuyers. Carpeted stairs collect stains, but what’s worse, they also collect dust, pet hair and dander, and other allergens. Wood stairs alleviate these issues, and they’re also easier to keep clean.
Consider built-in shelves and storage
Incorporating shelving, storage or a display area into your staircase is a great way to maximize available space. It also looks cool and serves as a selling point that may help set your home apart from the pack.
Counter claustrophobia
If headroom is at a premium on your stairs, which is especially common in basement staircases, here’s your chance to reconfigure them and create a more comfortable, functional environment. You should have at least 6’8” of space between the upper tread of the top stair and the ceiling overhead.
Seek out a central location
In many homes, basement steps start in the kitchen area, and they often follow the same wall that separates your kitchen from your yard, inhibiting access outside. Moving your steps to a more central location may help make your outdoor areas more accessible.
Consider a U-shaped design
Your stairs don’t have to be straight up and down – instead, other styles, such as U-shaped staircase designs with landings, can boost aesthetics, safety and functionality. Should someone fall down a U-shaped staircase, there’s less room to travel than there would be on a straight one. U-shaped stairs also fit extremely well into most architectural or structural designs.
When done well, redesigning your staircase can work wonders when it comes to drawing your entire home together. It’s also a highly effective way to boost property value, free up more functional space and create more of a focal point in an often-underutilized area of your home.