Stairs don't always get the attention they require, which is why you might have come across some fairly ordinary examples. So many can look as though the builder was instructed to quickly whip one up with whatever timber he had laying around. Don't even get me started on the ghastly balustrades fitted as an afterthought. Thankfully, though, people are realising that stairs are a key and expensive component of their house design and require a bit more thought. Being such a large fixture, it's important that they make sense within the overall feel of your home - whether it be industrial, minimalist, boho etc. Same goes with the balustrade. Think of it as an opportunity to create a focal point or a little drama (spiral staircases can pretty much cement that one for you!). A simple, understated staircase is also a great choice. But don't fall into the trap of thinking glass balustrades are the least invasive and "disappear" into the background. They really do set the tone for the rest of the house and I think they can look quite harsh, especially when coupled with the shiny silver railings and hardware often used to fix them to the staircase. A simple railing might be a better option. Think about combining interesting textures, such as concrete stairs with matte brass railings. I've enclosed some images to get you thinking. But if you have an existing staircase you're tiring of, stay tuned for my next post where I'll offer up some ideas to spruce them up.
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| Zaha Hadid Architects - ZHA showroom, London |
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| SDM apartment, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. Architects: Arquitectura en Movimiento Workshop |
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| Apartment in Tel Aviv, Israel. Designed by Gerstner |
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