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
Source: House & Home March 2022
Designer: Denise Ashmore
The combination of light wood and black metal on this staircase is a recurring motif in this contemporary home.
Photographer: Patrick Biller
Source: House & Home March 2022
Designer: Orsi Panos
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
Source: House & Home January/February 2022
Designer: Jaime Zimmerman
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
Source: House & Home November 2021
Designer: Brian Gluckstein
This closed balustrade is covered in panelling and then topped with a bronze noir patina handrail, making it a design feature.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home October 2021
Designer: Katherine Newman Design
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
Source: House & Home September 2021
Designer: Christi Rivard and Kyla Bidgood
These stair risers were painted a charcoal hue to highlight their elegant form.
Photographer: Maxime Desbiens
Source: House & Home September 2021
Designer: Jean Stéphane Beauchamp
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
Source: House & Home June 2021
Designer: Jaclyn Peters
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
Source: House & Home April 2021
Designer: Nyla Free
Designer Craig Parkes leaned moody hues and lots of wood to create “wow factor,” in this cozy foyer.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home March 2021
Designer: Craig Parkes
Horizontal shiplap and sharp lines on this modern staircase create an eye-catching geometric display.
Photographer: Monic Richard
Source: House & Home January/February 2021
Designer: Monic Richard
Designer Ali Budd suggested a candy pink runner for this staircase to fit with the family’s South Asian heritage.
Photographer: Alex Lukey
Source: House & Home January/February 2021
Designer: Ali Budd
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
Source: House & Home December 2020
Designer: Sophie Burke
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
Source: House & Home October 2020
Designer: Shauna Walton
If you look closely, this staircase was designed so the pickets sit below the risers, giving it an artistic look.
Photographer: Valeria Wilcox
Source: House & Home September 2020
Designer: Nicholas Ancerl and Tara Finlay
This all-black railing blends in with the similarly-hued console table and windows on this landing.
Photographer: Robin Stubbert
Source: House & Home June 2020
Designer: Susan Burns
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
Source: House & Home June 2020
Designer: Susan Burns
This farmhouse-inspired entryway features dark wood steps framed by an eclectic gallery wall that leads to a loft space upstairs.
Photographer: Virginia Macdonald
Source: House & Home June 2020
Designer: Michael Angus
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
Source: House & Home May 2020
Designer: Daniel Harland
This simple yet effective staircase has a dark structural beam in the centre and light wood steps without risers.
Photographer: Janis Nicolay
Source: House & Home February 2020
Designer: Jaime Hamilton and Greer Nelson
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
Source: House & Home December 2019
An ornately designed balustrade mirrors the front door in this European-inspired foyer.
Photographer: Jessica Glynn
Source: House & Home October 2019
Designer: Haynes-Roberts
This stairway has an urban feel with its floating steps, glass partition and exposed brick wall.
Photographer: André Rider
Source: House & Home October 2019
Designer: Sandrine Lucier and Annie Tremblay with Yolaine Lecomte-Allègre
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
Source: House & Home September 2019
Designer: Jeff Stober
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
Source: House & Home May 2019
Designer: Tommy Smythe and Lindsay Mens Craig
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
Source: House & Home April 2019
Designer: Stephanie Brown
A blue runner spills out onto the front entryway into a puddle of sapphire.
Photographer: Angus Fergusson
Source: House & Home March 2019
Designer: Montana Burnett