Designing and creating a new staircase is an exciting and fulfilling experience, especially considering the beautiful structure you'll gain afterwards. But there's more to staircase design than just aesthetics and the style of your balustrade.
This blog explores the top 5 factors to consider when mapping out your next staircase.
5 considerations when designing your dream stairs:
1. Space
When designing your new staircase, you'll have to measure the area and assess whether there's adequate space for your vision.
But how do you determine if you have enough room for your new flight of stairs?
Well, you'll need to gather the following measurements and details to check the site's suitability:
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Calculate the staircase rise
Measure the distance from your ground floor to the first floor - this will determine the accurate total rise of your stairs (the distance between each floor level).
On average, most staircases have a total rise of 2.6 metres, enabling you to have 13 steps with a riser height of 20cm - this is the height of each step.
Lower-rise heights with more treads are much more comfortable to climb.
More compact staircases take up less floor space in your home and require fewer treads at a greater rise height, making it steeper and more difficult to climb.
Important note - The official UK building regulations state that a minimum headroom of 200cm is required above stairs to prevent accidents. So, be sure to check this before moving forward with your design.
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Evaluate the area width
There are no building regulations concerning staircase width, but consider practicalities such as moving furniture between floor levels.
Buildsafe suggests that widths between 80cm and 90cm work well, with the UK average main staircase width being 86cm.
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Measure the staircase opening
If you have one, measure your stairway opening - this is the opening in the ceiling at the top of your staircase.
This could limit your options in terms of layout, but if you don't have an opening or it's a very large area, you'll have more choices!
The available and suitable space you have in your home will influence your staircase's layout and design, which we'll discuss next!
2. Staircase layout and design
It's now time to consider your stair architecture and layout options. This refers to the shape of your staircase, and there's plenty to select from depending on how much space you have to play with.
Here are a few examples:
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Straight staircases - A linear flight of stairs that doesn't change direction. This layout looks great in classic and contemporary homes, big or small, and is easy to install given its straightforward design.
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L-shaped stairs - This style consists of a straight run of linear stairs with a 90° turn and a small landing area, followed by another flight - this forms the ‘L' shape. L-shaped flights are very popular due to the added respite provided by the small landing whilst using the stairs, and the privacy they offer by blocking the view upstairs.
However, due to the change in direction, you'll require a wider space for L-shaped stairs.
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U-shaped staircases - U-shaped stairs are very similar to L-shaped staircases, except the flight of stairs after the landing area is parallel to the first set, forming the ‘U' shape.
Many opt for this layout if they have plenty of space, or if the stair rise is high and they want to reduce the staircase's steepness.
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Spiral staircases - In smaller rooms where space is considerably compact, a spiral staircase is ideal. This style has a small circular footprint and rises above itself, rather than on an angle.
3. Safety
Keeping stair users safe whilst moving between the floors in your home is paramount in your staircase design.
With this in mind, you'll need to install wall-mounted handrails or balustrades, depending on your staircase.
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Handrails and balustrades
Handrails are a safety feature used to stabilise oneself when climbing or descending the stairs - they can double as a decorative feature, too.
Balustrades are safety structures or railings manufactured to prevent steep falls from the sides of your stairs or landing areas. These installations are required if your stairway isn't enclosed by walls, and consist of a central supporting pillar, known as a newel post, and a series of spindles (small vertical columns) that are fixed into a baserail and topped by a handrail. Or, there are glass balustrades, also known as glass railings - an ultra-sleek option featuring glass panels instead of spindles.
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Lighting
Additionally, ensure the stairway has lighting to prevent trips and stumbles in the dark. You could add artificial lighting to the surrounding walls or LED strips to the actual treads for a contemporary staircase design.
Depending on your home, investing in a skylight might be a good idea, helping to channel natural light into the landing, stairs and hallway.
4. Materials and style design ideas
It's time to let your inner interior designer roam free and choose the material and style of your bespoke staircase - from timber to metal, you certainly won't be short of choice!
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Oak
Oak staircases are an excellent choice for traditional and modern homes, offering a timeless natural beauty that's unrivalled by other materials.
This wood is also very durable and long-lasting thanks to its strength and hardiness.
As for stair part styles, there's a great range to pick from. Modern homes can benefit from cubed oak spindle designs and handrails that offer a premium yet simple feel. Chamfered spindles and classic handrails look exceptional among traditional aesthetics.
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Metal
Offering durability and an eye-catching contrast when paired with oak elements, metal stair parts are very popular in modern British homes. Metal is exceptionally durable and will last for many years without faltering.
Iron or steel can feel too industrial-inspired for some, but this completely depends on your tastes and what you're looking for!
Again, there are plenty of spindle types forged in metal, including tuning fork and wavy styles - just select the option you love the most.
5. Budget
Finally, you'll have to consider how much you can afford to spend on your new staircase. The size and complexity of your design, along with the materials used and labour costs, will determine the price of your dream flight of stairs.
Straight staircases are among the most affordable styles, as they don't feature any turns and are easier to install.
On the other hand, wider or more complex staircases, such as a U-shaped one, will be more expensive as professional construction will likely be required.
As for materials, oak parts are typically more expensive than timbers like pine. However, given oak's high quality, durability and hardiness, you'll certainly save money on repairs down the line, even if the upfront costs are higher.
Invest in a design visual before starting your staircase project
To see exactly how your staircase could look in your home before your renovation, you could always opt for a design visual. Design visuals are personalised 3D images produced using state-of-the-art software that show how stair design ideas will suit your house.
To speak with our team today, don't hesitate to call us on 01942 365 509 or email us at info@staircrazy.co.uk, and we'll be in touch.
