25+ Ideas That Will Take Your Stairs to New Heights

Beyond taking you from point A to point B, stairs have the ability to transform the look and feel of a home.
Often the central focus of entryways or foyers, they are an architectural element that can create an impactful first impression. From modern wooden steps with iron railings to traditional staircases with elegant balusters, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite stairway styles from the pages of H&H. Scroll down if you want to step up your staircase game!
This staircase mixes poured concrete with oak risers for a fire and ice contrast in this Whistler, B.C. home.
- Photographer Janis Nicolay
- Designer Denise Ashmore
House & Home March 2022
The combination of light wood and black metal on this staircase is a recurring motif in this contemporary home.
- Photographer Patrick Biller
- Designer Orsi Panos
House & Home March 2022
Designer Jaime Zimmerman used a light neutral runner that blends in with the floors and adds grip to the steps. The white railing disappears right into the walls and ceiling.
- Photographer Lauren Miller
- Designer Jaime Zimmerman
House & Home January/February 2022
This graphic staircase has an art deco-inspired feel with its uniquely shaped railings. Cool art and a faux brick wall add even more interest.
- Photographer Alex Lukey
- Designer Brian Gluckstein
House & Home November 2021
This closed balustrade is covered in panelling and then topped with a bronze noir patina handrail, making it a design feature.
- Photographer Virginia Macdonald
- Designer Katherine Newman Design
House & Home October 2021
To keep the footprint small, this homeowner opted for a ladder that swivels around and can be used to access out of reach items. It also serves as the steps to get to the home’s rooftop lookout.
- Photographer James Jones
- Designer Christi Rivard and Kyla Bidgood
House & Home September 2021
These stair risers were painted a charcoal hue to highlight their elegant form.
- Photographer Maxime Desbiens
- Designer Jean Stéphane Beauchamp
House & Home September 2021
Mirroring the wood floors throughout the home, these stairs were clad in white oak, and feature glass railings that keep it feeling open and airy.
- Photographer Ariana Tennyson
- Designer Jaclyn Peters
House & Home June 2021
When this house was renovated, the stairs were designed as a focal point with new treads, handrails, spindles and an enlarged landing.
- Photographer Phil Crozier
- Designer Nyla Free
House & Home April 2021
Designer Craig Parkes leaned moody hues and lots of wood to create “wow factor,” in this cozy foyer.
- Photographer Janis Nicolay
- Designer Craig Parkes
House & Home March 2021
Horizontal shiplap and sharp lines on this modern staircase create an eye-catching geometric display.
- Photographer Monic Richard
- Designer Monic Richard
House & Home January/February 2021
Designer Ali Budd suggested a candy pink runner for this staircase to fit with the family’s South Asian heritage.
- Photographer Alex Lukey
- Designer Ali Budd
House & Home January/February 2021
In this home by Sophie Burke the front door transitions right into a light wood staircase with a black metal railing. The space beneath the stairs was utilized for another design moment, featuring a comfy chair and small plant.
- Photographer Ema Peter
- Designer Sophie Burke
House & Home December 2020
The picket detail on this transitional staircase was inspired by a similar look that the homeowner saw in a boutique in Paris.
- Photographer Lauren Miller
- Designer Shauna Walton
House & Home October 2020
This all-black railing blends in with the similarly-hued console table and windows on this landing.
- Photographer Robin Stubbert
- Designer Susan Burns
House & Home June 2020
The homeowners of this Ancaster home embraced the original staircase, which features decorative moldings and elegant curves. A small nook on the landing makes way for a round table that completes the heritage look.
- Photographer Robin Stubbert
- Designer Susan Burns
House & Home June 2020
This farmhouse-inspired entryway features dark wood steps framed by an eclectic gallery wall that leads to a loft space upstairs.
- Photographer Virginia Macdonald
- Designer Michael Angus
House & Home June 2020
This contemporary staircase features a glass railing with grey-toned risers and treads that blend into the walls and ceiling. As a result, the homeowner’s art collection on the second floor gets to shine.
- Photographer Alex Lukey
- Designer Daniel Harland
House & Home May 2020
This simple yet effective staircase has a dark structural beam in the centre and light wood steps without risers.
- Photographer Janis Nicolay
- Designer Jaime Hamilton and Greer Nelson
House & Home February 2020
Florist Alison Westlake of Coriander Girl in Prince Edward County accentuated an all-white stairway with white and green speckled walls and gorgeous bunches of flowers.
- Photographer Johnny C.Y. Lam
House & Home December 2019
An ornately designed balustrade mirrors the front door in this European-inspired foyer.
- Photographer Jessica Glynn
- Designer Haynes-Roberts
House & Home October 2019
This stairway has an urban feel with its floating steps, glass partition and exposed brick wall.
- Photographer André Rider
- Designer Sandrine Lucier and Annie Tremblay with Yolaine Lecomte-Allègre
House & Home October 2019
This bold dining room offers a unique vantage point of the staircase, which stands out in the background with a thick coat of black paint on the bannisters, railings, risers and treads.
- Photographer Stacey Brandford
- Designer Jeff Stober
House & Home September 2019
The wallpaper and coastal-inspired art does all the talking in this stairway, which represents the changing skies in Long Island, where the home is located.
- Photographer Virginia Macdonald
- Designer Tommy Smythe and Lindsay Mens Craig
House & Home May 2019
The new wrought-iron bannister in this Vancouver home creates a Japandi-style feel, and connects the reading nook upstairs and living room downstairs.
- Photographer Phil Crozier
- Designer Stephanie Brown
House & Home April 2019
A blue runner spills out onto the front entryway into a puddle of sapphire.
- Photographer Angus Fergusson
- Designer Montana Burnett
House & Home March 2019