One of the most overlooked spaces in a home, yet the potential for stairs to be a focal point is enormous.
As a renovation project, they can be as big a project or as small as you want. Take your home to the next level with these nine clever and stylish staircase ideas.
1 Add impact
Forget spindles and normal-formal rails. Why not go all out and create drama and a total talking point in your entryway with something bespoke? A specialist carpenter can talk to you about your ideas and help to create a hallway with ultimate wow factor. Add modern classics such as &Tradition's Fly armchair, €2,130, and Flowerpot VP3 table lamp, €450, both Nest.co.uk, for a final design polish.
2 Ombre obsessed
One of the easiest ways to bling up a bland staircase without too much hassle or expense, using a paint swatch card for colour inspiration, paint the risers, starting with the darkest shade on the bottom and gradually going lighter as you ascend. These stairs have been painted in Crown matt emulsion paints in Teal, Duck Egg, Powder Blue, Moonlight Bay and Clay White.
3 By the book
Because you can never have enough storage, right? Be inspired by Dublin architect Denise O’Connor (Optimise-home.com) and step up your home’s library game with bespoke shelving built into the wall along the side of your staircase. It has all the size of a standard bookcase without any of the floor space. Handy DIYers can attempt this themselves, or spec it out with your carpenter.
4 Stairs and stripes
Think carpeting stairs is outdated? Think again. Choose a bright colour or bold pattern to make a statement and draw the eye upwards. The carpet should be hardwearing, easy to clean and resistant to dirt. For safety, remember that carpet can’t be too thick. Made from 100% wool in a choice of colours, Crucial Trading’s Audrey collection (pictured) combines both practicality and good looks. It’s customisable as a runner or rug, from €190 sq m. Visit Crucial-trading.com for local stockists.
5 Space invaders
Under-stairs often hide dead space, so make over yours into super-usable storage. This system by Smart Storage makes use of every inch of available space with a range of push pop drawers that can be fitted with wine racks, shoes rails and pull-out coat rails. Drawers blend seamlessly into the wall for a streamlined look. Prices start from €399; for a free quote visit Smartstorage.ie.
6 Treading the boards
One of the hardest parts of any stair refurb to source has always been the treads. Swedish flooring specialists Kährs offers a range of stair resurfacing parts, including solid wood treads, from €86 sq m, and matching nosing, from €44 per 1.2m piece. They’re designed to cover both open and closed stairs and installation is quick and easy – and totally DIYable. For stockist details visit Kahrs.com.
7 Vinyl countdown
Stairway looking a bit tired? Give your steps a fresh fix with some luxury vinyl flooring from Karndean Designflooring. It’s hardwearing, waterproof, much easier to clean and maintain than carpet and also quick and easy to install. Choose from a wide range of wood effect designs from €35.99 per sq y, and choose complementary nosing.
8 Nicely handled
Wall-mounted handrails are the perfect solution for fully enclosed stairs and also wider staircases where a second handrail is required for added safety. B&Q’s handrail kits make makeovers a breeze with super easy installation and assembly in just under an hour. Shop this Modern Polished Stainless steel Rounded Handrail kit in stainless steel kit for around €100.
9 Glass act
Give your staircase some serious see-through style by replacing traditional spindles with a contemporary glass panels. Richard Burbidge’s award-winning Fusion glass stair parts kits, €POA, make remodelling a cinch with stylish connectors, in a choice of chrome or brushed nickel, that just slot together – reducing installation time by half compared to traditional stair systems. Shop the full range at Richardburbidge.com.
If you liked this, you might also like: Hallway revamp: 4 ways to design an entrances that makes a statement
