Whether you’re re-imagining an existing home or designing and customizing a new one from the ground up, you’ll have to devote some attention to the type of staircase you’d like to include in your floorplan. While standard, straight stairs are a common choice among many homeowners, increasingly, today’s shoppers, interior designers and DIYers are looking for additional contemporary, elegant and eye-catching staircase design opportunities.
So, what types of options might you have at your disposal when it comes to creating your staircase design? Many modern homeowners and home buyers opt for one of the following styles.
Straight Stairs
Just because they’re common doesn’t mean straight staircases have to be boring. On the contrary, there are numerous steps (no pun intended) you can take to give yours a competitive edge. If the rest of your home already has something of a minimalist vibe, you can certainly keep the trend going with a simple, straight staircase, but you can also utilize intricate handrails or head-turning balusters and newel posts if you value style over simplicity.
L-Shaped Stairs (a.k.a. Turn Stairs, or Quarter-Turn Stairs)
L-shaped stairs are those that start straight, but then turn after a central landing to reveal additional straight stairs that extend to the floor. Considered by many to be more visually appealing than traditional straight stairs, L-shaped staircase designs are ideal for corners, and they are also highly desirable among those who have young children or older Americans living in their homes, because the landings they provide can help prevent serious falls and associated injuries.
Winder Stairs
Winder stairs are similar to L-shaped stairs in that they turn in a different direction at a certain point, but they differ in that they have a pie-shaped landing where they turn, as opposed to a square or rectangle one. Compact and visually appealing, winder stairs are a popular choice among today’s home buyers, but they also have history in older homes, where they often serve as a secondary, out-of-the-way method of moving to and from a kitchen.
Regardless of whether you ultimately choose one of these staircase styles, or another one entirely, know that there is no such thing as a “standard” staircase design. With the right materials and stylistic elements, a well-designed staircase can be a primary focal point of your home, enhancing its visual appeal and functionality in one step.