Decorating & Design
25+ Ideas That Will Take Your Stairs to New Heights
Updated on June 1, 2023
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.
The combination of light wood and black metal on this staircase is a recurring motif in this contemporary home.
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.
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.
This closed balustrade is covered in panelling and then topped with a bronze noir patina handrail, making it a design feature.
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.
These stair risers were painted a charcoal hue to highlight their elegant form.
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.
When this house was renovated, the stairs were designed as a focal point with new treads, handrails, spindles and an enlarged landing.
Designer Craig Parkes leaned moody hues and lots of wood to create “wow factor,” in this cozy foyer.
Horizontal shiplap and sharp lines on this modern staircase create an eye-catching geometric display.
Designer Ali Budd suggested a candy pink runner for this staircase to fit with the family’s South Asian heritage.
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.
The picket detail on this transitional staircase was inspired by a similar look that the homeowner saw in a boutique in Paris.
If you look closely, this staircase was designed so the pickets sit below the risers, giving it an artistic look.
This all-black railing blends in with the similarly-hued console table and windows on this landing.
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.
This farmhouse-inspired entryway features dark wood steps framed by an eclectic gallery wall that leads to a loft space upstairs.
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.
This simple yet effective staircase has a dark structural beam in the centre and light wood steps without risers.
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.
An ornately designed balustrade mirrors the front door in this European-inspired foyer.
This stairway has an urban feel with its floating steps, glass partition and exposed brick wall.
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.
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.
The new wrought-iron bannister in this Vancouver home creates a Japandi-style feel, and connects the reading nook upstairs and living room downstairs.
A blue runner spills out onto the front entryway into a puddle of sapphire.