Staircases ideas modern: Modern stairs – huge collection of modern staircases and contemporary stairs

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Modern staircase ideas – 12 designs to inspire a remodel

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Staircases serve a great deal of purpose and while they are mainly there for function, they can add a lot of style also. If your home is contemporary through and through, when it comes to modern staircase ideas, there is lots to get creative with. From different materials to choose from, to innovative tread designs and more, you’ll quickly be able to add interest to this often overlooked house feature in no time.

Think floating steps for minimal looks, ornate metal detailing and completely blocked in or sleek finishes. Whether your main staircase ideas come into play within an open plan apartment or in a suburban home, finding the right configuration for your home will make an incredible difference. 

Modern staircase ideas that impress

Making your staircase the focal point of your home is easily done. Considering the important part they play in a home, they don’t often get the decorative attention they deserve.

But, you can instantly invigorate the look of your space with a new type of carpet, painted wooden treads or by choosing glass and metal designs. Whether you’re building a new home or replacing an existing staircase with a modern design, we’ve showcased our favorite options below.

(Image credit: Benjamin Moore)

This modern staircase idea is truly stunning. The blond wood teamed with the metal spindles gives it a sculptural quality and it has a Scandinavian feel with the clean lines and white painted support. This staircase is ideal for minimalists, it’s the focal point of the room and doesn’t need overly decorated surroundings to help it stand out. So you can choose a neutral staircase paint look instead and you’ll still enjoy maximum impact. See our guide for how to paint a staircase yourself too.

2. Save space with a spiral staircase

(Image credit: The Radiator Centre)

Spiral staircases are a great option for small spaces, or those that can benefit from a mezzanine floor. They take up little space structurally and can be designed to fit into your existing interior style. 

Perfect for darker and smaller hallway spaces, they don’t block the light out either and can help to create a light and airy feel.

3. Keep it light and airy with a (mostly) all white scheme

(Image credit: Maestri Studio/Jenifer McNeil Baker)

If your entryway is on the dark side then brighten it all up with a white scheme – this goes for your staircase design too, don’t opt for a ‘heavy’ looking style as Eddie Maestri, AIA principal architect, creative director and owner of Maestri Studio explains:

‘This light and bright stair hall is accentuated with a very simple stair design.  The clean, sharp lines give it a modern feel while letting the arches and paneling balance with the traditional aspects of the home.’

4. Get your color from the timber

(Image credit: Carpetright)

The rich wood used in this staircase means it’s an essential part of the color scheme in the rest of the space. The warm tones like perfectly to the orange accents of the vases and artwork, whilst the white acts as a modern blank canvas. The glass sides give it a really contemporary feel.

5. Add drama with a stunning pendant 

(Image credit: Stone & Ceramic Warehouse)

When your staircase links to more than one floor, elevate your staircase lighting by hanging a long pendant that visually ties in from top to bottom whilst illuminating the entire stairwell. Both the pendant you choose and the staircase design should complement each other and in this case, use materials that link them like stainless steel.

6. Consider the scheme around the staircase

(Image credit: Mel Bean Interiors )

Your staircase needs to suit its surroundings, as Mel Bean, founder of Mel Bean Interiors explains:

‘I like to be able to respond to all personalities and dynamics, and this client was fun and open to pushing boundaries. Throughout the home, including the staircase, I mixed complementary patterns, colors, and textures so the space stands out without being too noisy. It was also important to me to combine new pieces, like the fabrics and lighting, with personalized pieces from the owners – like the artwork in the gallery wall.’

(Image credit: The Radiator Centre)

Painting a staircase is a great idea and we love the look of a fresh coat of paint on the side of the stairwell also. This look keeps the space modern and ties in beautifully with the kitchen island in the background. It’s also worth matching your flooring with the staircase too for a cohesive look. 

The thin wire spindles give a modern touch and allow light to flow through this smart design. 

8. Go for an all white railing look

(Image credit: Carpetright)

We love this modern staircase railing idea that’s crafted from white powder coated steel. It adds to the overall look of the space, adding a little balance, without distracting from the space behind it.  

Visually it takes up little space which is why white is such a great idea for a contemporary living room.

9. Decorate the side of the staircase with tiles

(Image credit: Bert & May )

If you prefer a more solid looking staircase opt for one like this. It gives you a wall space to play with that could be used as a gallery wall and you could tile all of it. We love how the tiles flow from the floor to the side wall, adding more decorative design interest and helping to visually carry the color scheme up the staircase.

10. For a truly modern feel opt for a floating staircase

(Image credit: Stone & Ceramic Warehouse)

Uber sleek and oh-so-modern, this floating modern staircase idea is for those who totally embrace the contemporary feel. 

With three discreet glass panels along the side, this staircase ticks all the boxes if you love minimalist design. The neutral colored walls add warmth and tie in with the stone floor tiles and crisp white furniture.

11. Choose a wood staircase for warmth

(Image credit: The Radiator Centre)

Whilst monochromatic schemes are striking, it can be good to add in some materials to ‘warm’ the overall look up a little. 

In this smart living space the modern staircase does just that as the wooden treads tie in with the wooden floorboards and kitchen island. 

The jet black rail matches the rest of the scheme, so you get a perfect balance. 

12. Create harmony with darker colored accents

(Image credit: Maydan Architects/John Sutton)

We asked Mary Maydan, founder and principal of Maydan Architects on how to introduce a new staircase into a scheme with balance:

‘I wanted the staircase to make a powerful statement without taking over the room. We achieved this by using a dark grey tile for the flooring and underside of the stairs, and a matching powder coated gray color for the stringers, top handrail, and posts. We complemented it with stainless cables for the railing to keep it thin and elegant.

I love the shadows that the staircase casts on the floor. Since there is so much glass in the surrounding room and we are in sunny California, it creates interest and brings a lot of life to the space.’

How do you modernize a timber staircase?

If you want to use the staircase you have but it’s currently covered in carpet and painted then there are several things you can do. Firstly, remove the carpet and check out the condition of the wood underneath. If there’s paint on it you can remove it, if not, and the wood’s in good condition then it might simply need a wood stain to give it a new look. You can add lights too and a new handrail. 

How do I make stairs more interesting?

You can really get creative with your stairs to make them more interesting, paint for example is a great option – paint each step a different color so they start light and get darker as you go up. You can add wallpaper and tiles to the risers so each one has a pattern. Trying different stair runner ideas is a great way to add color and practicality to your space. On the actual wall of the stairs you can hang mirrors and artwork, and don’t forget there’s a huge selection of paneling options too – from ornate metalwork to contemporary glass panels.

Modern staircase ideas and stairs design for home interiors

The staircase is one of the main parts of many buildings. You may have experience seeing or living in stylish and luxurious houses where the decoration of the stairs is limited to simple wallpaper or wall panels. Compared to the past, contemporary staircases are for more than just connecting the floors.
Today, they are considered a beautifying element in the design of the building. So in this article, we will share modern staircase ideas, including the interior stairs of a villa or apartment, like in the living room, spiral staircase designs, etc. This article deals with interior stairs design, and we will concentrate on the modern style more than the other styles, like the modern spiral staircase.

Modern Staircase Architecture

Compared to other staircase styles, the advantage of modern staircases is that they are always popular and never become old, just like the modern interior design style. The first step toward having a modern and beautiful staircase is to be careful about its architecture.

If you are building or renovating your home, you have many options for the stairs design. Still, you are only going to beautify the existing staircase. In that case, you can skip reading this section and go directly to the next section, “Modern staircase design elements.”
Modern spiral stairs design is a famous example of modern staircase architecture.

In the architectural design of the staircase, note that the wall design and stairs matter. Consider three main subjects while designing a staircase architecture: the staircase size, the materials of the whole structure, and the stair railing design.

  • Size: Stairs design for a small house requires decorating the duplex house’s staircase in a way that does not create a crowded view and a chaotic effect. To cleverly design stairs for small spaces, simple and modern materials and elements such as wall art or simple decorative items can be the best solution.
    Note that if you have a little space, use a clever modern staircase idea to create a place for putting things. For example, you can place drawers under the wood treads and put staff inside the drawers to make the most optimal use of the space.

  • Material: Fortunately, the staircase is one of those parts of the house that leaves the designer’s hand free to choose the material. For example, stair tiles and granite stairs design is among the most popular methods of making stairs. Various types of glass construction with load-bearing capabilities are also available, allowing you to use glass not only as a fence but as the main structure of stairs.
    Using wooden stairs design and wood treads in any possible way can create a warm and friendly effect in the home’s interior design.
    Using metals in various forms can create a beautiful and different appearance in the staircase space. For example, steel stairs design is one of the best methods of using metals in constructing stairs. Metal stairs are one of the best options for designing small staircases in limited places due to their easy implementation and small dimensions.

  • Riling: One of the most critical components of the staircase is the stair railing. And modern stair railings have different types. For example, wooden railing designs for stairs are beautiful and widely used, as well as glass railing designs for stairs.

    You can do the staircase handrail design and stair grill design using different types of wood, glass, or metals in modern forms during stair railing design. The material mainly depends on the space’s interior design, for example, the living room style.

Modern Staircase Design Elements

Here are some elements and equipment to use around or on the stairs to achieve a luxe, modern, and unique staircase design.

Carpet for Stairs

One of the oldest ways to design the stairs in the home interior is to use suitable carpets. This idea is also implemented for some of the exterior staircases of apartment houses today. Choosing a carpet with a proper size for the stairs is opt to you whether you like it to cover the whole stairs or only the central part. You can find the rug you want according to the size of the stairs of your home by visiting the rug and carpets page.

If you want to use carpet on only some of the stairs, you can put the carpet just on the landing part. So that you can Create a footrest, it is meant to stand a little and relieve fatigue more pleasant by spreading a small Iranian rug, which is ultimately very beautiful.
Choosing carpets and rugs with mythological patterns or flowers will be ideal for this space. In this case, you will enjoy your short break every time you stand at the landing section of the staircase. Even though there are different prices today, stair runners are the best option if you can’t afford a rug.

Staircase Wall Design

One of the other staircase design methods is using different types of wallpaper with unique and beautiful designs that will attract the attention of many people. The variety and beauty in the types of wallpaper trends have made this design more popular for staircase design. Applying suitable wallpaper or a wall poster can play a significant role in decorating the house. An important point in choosing a poster or wallpaper is to pay attention to its pattern and color.

These two factors can directly affect making the staircase look big or small. For example, it is better to choose wallpaper with bright colors and small designs to decorate the staircase with walls on both sides. Your staircase will be seen as a modern and unique focal point without drawing exaggerated attention. But in addition to wallpaper, we can use wall hangings to make the staircase wall more beautiful. You can design a gallery wall in your staircase area to make it excellent.

Wall Rug:  Wall carpets are always considered the most luxurious wall art decorations. The most significant advantage of carpets is that their use always stays in fashion. To use the carpet to design the walls, you can use both framed wall rugs or install the Aria rug on the wall using rug hangers for the wall.
Both wall carpets and area rugs have a wide variety of designs and colors so that you can use different types of them with many options according to other interior design elements of the rest of the home, especially the staircase.

Decorative Plates: Decorative plates are among the most beautiful wall decoration elements. The decorative plates have a low price and a great variety of sizes, colors, and patterns.
Wall plates with printed designs or wholly made and painted by artists can give a unique effect to the staircase of your modern home together or alone.

Framed Art: A gallery wall is a creative idea that can fit any home decor style. Display a collection of framed black and white family photos for a vintage vibe, or create a lovely art gallery from a simple row of modern paintings. Art paintings or family photos are the best options to install on the staircase wall.

To make the boards look unique, try to use the method of arranging them creatively. Some people install the boards one after the other and in the same direction. But some others, with some creativity, will put small and large paintings next to each other and create a great wall of Art. For example, you can install family portraits or photo frames of the same color on the wall in a line for the staircase design.
One of the ways to prevent damage to the staircase wall is to mark the place of the signs with cardboard and glue. In this way, you can first determine the arrangement of the signs with cardboard and glue, and after you find them OK, go to make holes in the staircase wall with nails. From the incredible world of framed wall art, we only explain two of them, Paintings and Calligraphy.

  • Painting: Wall art paintings are beloved always and everywhere. In addition to beauty, a work of Art gives soul and prestige to your modern home; it doesn’t matter how much money you spend on an artwork or how famous the artist is; the important thing is the spiritual and emotional effects of that painting on you and your home.
    One painting is enough if you use a large canvas wall art on the staircase. Still, if you like to have several works of Art on the wall, it is better to use them in different sizes, preferably small. CyrusCrafts’ interior designers’ advice for buying a unique artwork is to choose a Persian miniature painting this time and enjoy the distinction this artwork creates in your home compared to others.

  • Calligraphy: As an art of beautiful writing, calligraphy has received the attention and use of art-loving people for years. Calligraphy paintings and calligraphy drawings can make your home’s modern style unique. Artistic and unique calligraphy can express your favorite sentence or poem and convey a message like love and friendship to your guests.

Staircase Lighting Ideas

Correct lighting can be the most attractive and economical decoration of the house’s stairs. You can also use various chandeliers on the wall next to the stairs as ceiling chandeliers. The stairs’ lighting should be designed so that enough light is provided to illuminate the passage of users at all times of the day and night. Semi-dark and so-called coffee shop lighting, done to decorate and make the staircase look stylish, is strictly prohibited. It is necessary for people using the stairs to have full sight of this space all day long.

In addition to chandeliers, you may attach wall lights to the staircase’s wall to provide enough light for the stairs. Also, choosing a suitable wall light can magnify the effect of decorations on the staircase wall. Long chandeliers are an excellent decorative option for spiral staircase designs.

Furniture for A Modern Staircase

Have you ever thought of unique and stylish furniture for under stairs area? One way to create distinction in the design of the staircase is to use furniture to decorate its various parts. This idea is more attractive when you place unique furniture and decorative items in the staircase area.

The modern interior design style includes a specific use, such as a comfortable sofa, a TV set, or even a desk or a child’s space for a part of the staircase structure. This section may be considered in the space under the stairs or landing.
Also, beautiful table decor items such as decorative bowls or unique table lamps will make your space pleasant. Having a standing lamp in the corner of the under-stairs design is also a smart option because these corners usually need light.

Practical Use of the Staircase Space

The apartment’s internal stairs are among the house’s most usable parts. You can make use of the space by doing some easy tricks:

  • Most people go up or down the stairs before leaving the house; in other words, staircases are mostly at the grand entrance. Therefore, you can make practical use of the staircase space by installing a non-decorative mirror on the floor or wall so that people can check their appearance again before leaving the house.

  • By placing a decorative hanger, you can also prepare a space for hanging hats, coats, bags, or a shelf for putting boots, shoes, gloves, etc.

  • Installing a key holder to put keys and other essentials when leaving the house is a creative and attractive idea that is highly recommended.

  • You can also put wall shelves on the staircase. By making decorative shelves, you can use the wall of this space to put all kinds of books or other decorative items such as statues and decorative vases. You can do this design only for the staircase wall and its decoration, or it can continue to the lower part of the stairs.

  • Most homes’ space under the stairs usually needs to be used practically. Still, you can turn it into a beautiful and efficient place for resting and meditation with little intelligence, creativity, and taste. Vases, decorative items, shelves, and small libraries are examples of simple things that can be used in the design of the space under the stairs to create a stylish decoration at home, especially in the living room.

For more information about the creative use of the staircase’s space or the other parts of the home, you can read the article “Creative Interior Design Ideas,” which includes guidance to use creativity to design and make optimum use of your home’s space.

Hoping this blog post is helpful, we recommend paying attention to staircase safety regulations when choosing or implementing the ideas you read.

Staircase Safety Regulations in Brief

The staircase is a space where improper use can cause many problems. A gorgeous but uncomfortable and inappropriate design for passers-by can ruin all the fun you have in mind from the attractiveness of space and become a permanent torment.

Before choosing your desired design and idea, remember that safety and easy use precede any design and attractiveness. A staircase people cannot pass easily and quickly is undoubtedly unsuitable for residential or office spaces.
In addition, if the staircase ends up in the main bedroom or children’s room, it is necessary to use ideas with a sense of security and safety more suitable for the staircase design. For instance, ideas like glass panels or metal fences could have more hazards.

In the end, if you need any rug, furniture, wall art, or decorative accessories to decorate your staircase, you can find them on this website. To get CyrusCrafts’ products to your door, you only need to fill out the order form and wait for our colleagues to deliver your orders quickly. The delivery time gets shorter if you live in Canada or the United States. Finally, by writing down a comment, please share any comments, suggestions, or questions about the staircase.

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