There’s something in the linear symmetry of a staircase that makes it beautiful to behold.
Often at the centre of a home, or the first welcoming statement of an entryway, a staircase is how we reach for the skies in design. From minimalist step stairs and classical balustrades, to curved and spiral staircases that test the boundaries of creativity and engineering, staircases can define and reaffirm a home’s style.
If you are in the midst of designing and dreaming of your own staircase, take some cues from these 22 stunning staircase design ideas that are anything but boring.
FANCY A $1 MILLION DOLLAR STAIRCASE?
Former property developer, Salim Mehajer, was recently forced to say goodbye to his western Sydney McMansion and the $1 million dollar staircase within. Crafted from marble, this sweeping and extravagant stairwell is lit from backlit and was made famous after featuring in a music video by US artist Bow Wow.
Tucked away in the corner by the entryway of this renovated two-storey cottage in Keppel Sands, Queensland, a white spiral staircase makes a minimal but sculptural impact. The choice to keep the banisters open means that this design, while gorgeous, doesn’t demand too much space in this room.
The stairwell of this redesigned heritage Federation home on Sydney’s lower north shore has created much more space on the property’s ground floor. The contrast of black on white makes a dramatic statement that is carried on throughout the home.
The stairwell of prolific Bondi build, Bismarck House, makes a subtle statement. By continuing the wall material (sans paint) and staying away from obstructive bannisters, architecture firm, Andrew Burges Architects have created the perfect addition to this space.
The curvaceous staircase coated in a touchable limewash truly steals the show in Kyal and Kara’s bespoke Mediterranean-meets-coastal style home. This is a design that has become increasingly popular and can also be spied in Ronnie and Georgia’s home from 2021’s season of The Block.
The white-concrete stairs, custom-designed steel balustrading and dark timber treads made from stained oak ramp up the glamour in a family home that blends Italian design and Art Deco style.
The stairwell of this heritage home in Sydney’s eastern suburbs is the central spine of the home, and is finished in white and putty-coloured stucco lustre with a handcrafted brass rail and natural alpaca carpet on herringbone Mafi flooring.
By shifting the entrance to the side of the structure and consolidating two poky staircases into a central light well the architects who redesigned this Victorian-era home in Sydney were able to maximise space and air flow.
A staircase with a feature wall in Whale Watching from Porter’s Paints and Woodcut ‘Sandwashed’ floorboards with custom brass nosing welcomes guests in this Melbourne home’s disused garage, which was transformed into a luxe guest retreat.
Simple materials and natural colours make this rustic barn that was turned into a minimalist office that maximises space with a lofty mezzanine.
Contrasting hard and soft, warm and cold, the stairwell of this Palm Springs inspired build on the outskirts of Sydney plays with texture and materiality. The design, which runs up from the front door, stemmed from the homeowners’ desire to do things differently. Aaron had seen a full timber version of our stairs and thought a half-concrete, half-timber design would look great,” says Heather.
A French-influenced family home with a neutral palette holds this classic staircase with steel rails. At the bottom of the stairs, a Roly Poly chair beckons whilst herringbone flooring leads the way across the landing.
The extension of this renovated heritage cottage has given it some serious design cred. This vibrant space features a spiral staircase on a plinth, with brass handrail and rod cage.
The steps of this staircase are cantilevered blackbutt with a glass-and-steel balustrade. Raw travertine tiles create a feature wall. “They are the same tiles as on the floor but unfilled so you can really appreciate the texture,” says the owner of this eco-friendly home putting family wellbeing first in Perth.
Timber battens and a powder blue solid balustrade frame the spiralling internal staircase in a Palm Springs inspired beach house in Noosa. Below, terrazzo flooring welcomes you onto the ground floor.
The stairwell and formal living area of this revamped Sydney terrace has a tranquil aesthetic thanks to Freado oak floorboards and stairs from Tongue N Groove. The balustrade, which curves around between stairs and landing, is formed in solid oak with custom brass details.
A sculptural staircase that descends to the open-plan main living area below was a key design of this Spanish mission style home’s Hollywood glamorous update.
The black and brass updated staircase of this colourful penthouse apartment maximises space in a tight corner and serves Euro vibes.
With references throughout to grand chateaux, Greg Natale designed the staircase in this glamorous Sydney home with dado rails and classic, luxurious marble.
The signature design element in this transformed factory in Melbourne – the spiral staircase – is executed in black marble and lit by a circular skylight.
The original elegant arches within this heritage home are complemented by the curve of a new staircase finished in two-tone stucco lustre and the alabaster Bocci ceramic pendant lights.
The elegant entryway in this Gothic revival home stops you in your tracks. With its juxtaposition of modern and traditional – a flowing wrought-iron balustrade and classic wall panelling teamed with industrial steel-framed windows and skylight – it could belong in a Belle-Époque Parisian townhouse.
A sensitive update to this handsome heritage house by Susanne Gorman has made it fresh and relevant for a family of six with a statement staircase setting the stage. The balustrade was painted white to help lighten the interior.
WriterRebekah Currer
WriterLucy Francis
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
Staircases are not only functional elements in a home but also have the potential to be visually stunning and make a design statement. They come in various styles and designs, ranging from minimalist step stairs to curved and spiral staircases that push the boundaries of creativity and engineering. In this article, we will explore 22 staircase design ideas that are anything but boring.
Salim Mehajer's $1 Million Dollar Staircase
Former property developer Salim Mehajer had a $1 million dollar staircase in his western Sydney McMansion. Crafted from marble and lit from behind, this sweeping and extravagant stairwell gained fame after being featured in a music video by US artist Bow Wow.
White Spiral Staircase in Keppel Sands, Queensland
In a renovated two-storey cottage in Keppel Sands, Queensland, a white spiral staircase tucked away in the corner of the entryway makes a minimal but sculptural impact. The open banisters of this design allow it to fit seamlessly into the room without demanding too much space.
Dramatic Black and White Stairwell in Sydney's Lower North Shore
The stairwell of a redesigned heritage Federation home on Sydney's lower north shore features a dramatic black and white color scheme. The contrast between black and white creates a striking statement that is carried throughout the home.
Subtle Stairwell in Bondi Build, Bismarck House
The stairwell of Bismarck House, a prolific Bondi build, makes a subtle statement. By continuing the wall material and avoiding obstructive banisters, the architects have created a seamless addition to the space.
Curvaceous Staircase in Kyal and Kara's Mediterranean-Style Home
Kyal and Kara's bespoke Mediterranean-meets-coastal style home features a curvaceous staircase coated in a touchable limewash. This design has become increasingly popular and can also be seen in Ronnie and Georgia's home from the 2021 season of The Block.
Glamorous Family Home with Italian Design and Art Deco Style
A family home that blends Italian design and Art Deco style boasts white-concrete stairs, custom-designed steel balustrading, and dark timber treads made from stained oak. This combination adds a touch of glamour to the space.
Central Spine Staircase in a Heritage Home in Sydney's Eastern Suburbs
The stairwell of a heritage home in Sydney's eastern suburbs serves as the central spine of the house. Finished in white and putty-colored stucco lustre, it features a handcrafted brass rail and natural alpaca carpet on herringbone Mafi flooring.
Maximizing Space and Air Flow in a Victorian-Era Home in Sydney
In a Victorian-era home in Sydney, the architects maximized space and air flow by shifting the entrance to the side of the structure and consolidating two poky staircases into a central light well. The staircase features a feature wall in Whale Watching from Porter's Paints and Woodcut 'Sandwashed' floorboards with custom brass nosing.
Rustic Barn Turned Minimalist Office with Simple Materials
A rustic barn transformed into a minimalist office maximizes space with a lofty mezzanine. The design utilizes simple materials and natural colors to create a space that is both functional and visually appealing.
Texture and Materiality in a Palm Springs Inspired Build
The stairwell of a Palm Springs inspired build on the outskirts of Sydney plays with texture and materiality. The design, which runs up from the front door, features a half-concrete, half-timber staircase that creates a unique visual impact.
French-Influenced Family Home with Classic Staircase
A French-influenced family home with a neutral palette showcases a classic staircase with steel rails. The staircase is complemented by a Roly Poly chair at the bottom and herringbone flooring leading the way across the landing.
Vibrant Spiral Staircase in a Renovated Heritage Cottage
The extension of a renovated heritage cottage features a vibrant space with a spiral staircase on a plinth. The staircase is accompanied by a brass handrail and rod cage, adding a touch of elegance to the design.
Eco-Friendly Home in Perth with Cantilevered Blackbutt Stairs
An eco-friendly home in Perth prioritizes family wellbeing and features cantilevered blackbutt stairs with a glass-and-steel balustrade. The design also incorporates raw travertine tiles to create a feature wall, adding texture and visual interest to the space.
Palm Springs Inspired Beach House in Noosa
A Palm Springs inspired beach house in Noosa showcases a spiraling internal staircase framed by timber battens and a powder blue solid balustrade. The ground floor welcomes guests with terrazzo flooring, creating a cohesive design aesthetic.
Tranquil Aesthetic in a Revamped Sydney Terrace
The stairwell and formal living area of a revamped Sydney terrace exude a tranquil aesthetic. The staircase features Freado oak floorboards and stairs from Tongue N Groove, while the balustrade is formed in solid oak with custom brass details.
Sculptural Staircase in a Spanish Mission Style Home
A Spanish mission style home underwent a Hollywood glamorous update, featuring a sculptural staircase that descends to the open-plan main living area below. This staircase serves as a key design element in the home.
Black and Brass Staircase in a Colourful Penthouse Apartment
The black and brass updated staircase in a colourful penthouse apartment maximizes space in a tight corner. This staircase adds a touch of Euro vibes to the overall design of the apartment.
Classic Staircase with Luxurious Marble in a Glamorous Sydney Home
In a glamorous Sydney home with references to grand chateaux, the staircase is a signature design element. Designed by Greg Natale, the staircase features dado rails and classic, luxurious marble.
Black Marble Spiral Staircase in a Transformed Factory
A transformed factory in Melbourne showcases a signature spiral staircase executed in black marble. The staircase is lit by a circular skylight, creating a dramatic focal point in the space.
Elegant Archways and Curved Staircase in a Heritage Home
The original elegant arches within a heritage home are complemented by a curved staircase finished in two-tone stucco lustre. The staircase is further enhanced by alabaster Bocci ceramic pendant lights, adding a touch of elegance to the space.
Gothic Revival Home with Modern and Traditional Elements
The elegant entryway of a Gothic revival home features a staircase that juxtaposes modern and traditional elements. The flowing wrought-iron balustrade and classic wall paneling are paired with industrial steel-framed windows and a skylight, creating a unique design aesthetic.
Statement Staircase in a Transformed Heritage House
A statement staircase sets the stage in a transformed heritage house designed by Susanne Gorman. The balustrade was painted white to help lighten the interior, creating a fresh and relevant space for a family of six.
These 22 stunning staircase design ideas demonstrate the diverse possibilities for creating beautiful and impactful staircases in homes. Whether it's through the use of materials, colors, or unique design elements, staircases have the potential to be both functional and visually striking.
