Make the most of a gorgeous staircase.
From practical to wow-worthy, the staircase and other transitional spaces are well worth careful consideration when you are looking to begin a refresh, remodel or redecoration project.
Nancy Gracia, an interior designer and owner of Bare Root Design Studio Inc. in Newtown, said when the staircase is located in a foyer, it’s generally the first thing you see when you walk into a home.
“It can be a wow factor. To me a staircase is complimented by the walls, flooring and ceiling” that surrounds it, she said.
Staircases may be freestanding, built in, free floating or some other configuration.
“And staircases can take on a life of their own,” Gracia said.
In Bucks County, Gracia said the tendency is toward a traditional or transitional style and aesthetic.
That means many staircases include closed treads and have similar structural foundation elements in common.
Anatomy of a staircase
It’s helpful when you are working with a contractor or identifying components to have a common language. While a staircase refers to the entire unit, there are many components or features that make up a staircase. This list is not comprehensive, but the main elements in a standard staircase include:
• Steps, which include treads or horizontal pieces.
• Risers are the vertical pieces that enclose each step on the staircase.
• Landings are the areas at the bottom of the staircase, mid-way in a staircase with turns and at the top.
• Strings or stringers, which are the structural supports on both sides of a staircase.
• Banister, rail or handrail, which is at the top of the assembly to steady the user moving up and down the steps.
• Baluster, guard or spindle, which is vertical. These pieces support the handrail and tie it into the step tread. They also provide over the side safety when using the staircase.
• Balustrade refers to the entire handrail and spindle assembly unit.
• Newels, sometimes called columns or posts, are located at the top and bottom of each side of a staircase. The posts are where the handrail terminates.
Decorating options
House Beautiful.com reports finished wood is the top trend for staircases moving into 2024. Painted wood is another option and a quick and inexpensive way to completely change the look of your staircase.
When considering painting a staircase, take the surrounding surfaces and colors into account. A combination of painted and finished wood is another way to make the staircase pop.
“There is a return to wood, no question, and wood is returning to almost every part of the home,” Gracia said.
“In a foyer [staircase] I’ve seen treads as wood and usually complimented by a runner in the center, so the wood is exposed on either side of the tread. We’re still seeing painted spindles and wood handrails,” she explained.
For wood handrails, darker stains can offer contrast, as can black painted handrails. Posts are often finished wood, though they may also be painted.
Simple refresh
When you aren’t ready for a complete overhaul, or want to update or refresh the look of the staircase beyond a fresh coat of pain consider a banister or spindle refresh.
John Gemmi owner of Gemmi Construction Inc., in Buckingham Township said sometimes this can include updating the banister or spindles to a different color or material.
Keep in mind the a staircase works as a unit. So beyond painting it, changes to elements may impact other features.
“If you’re looking to upgrade your staircase, there are a bunch of questions that need to be asked,” Gemmi said.
Among those questions should include what materials are on the treads. Do the treads have carpeting or not? Will the banister be replaced or are you considering a complete balustrade [assembly] replacement?
“If you remove and replace the banister and balusters [spindles] you have to pick pieces with a similar footprint” to be able to use existing treads and the holes already set for those pieces, Gemmi explained.
“The easiest change sometimes and the most bang for the buck is just the balusters [or spindles] themselves,” he added.
A recent Bucks County trend was to replace wooden spindles with turned metal, a request Gemmi continues to get from clients.
“Visually when you walk into a home, the metal ones tend to disappear. If the foyer is small, it can make the foyer feel bigger,” he said.
Simply removing or upgrading carpeting, or replacing carpeting with hardwood can create a transformative effect, said John Gray, project manager at Total Home Manager LLC in Hopewell, New Jersey.
“You can remove it, redo the stair treads and install hardwoods” to update and refresh the space, he said.
Consider adjacent hallways and foyer flooring when making staircase tread material changes
The next level would be to take the railings down and replace the staircase. This option is more expensive and will give you more creative options, Gemmi said.
Minimalist and contemporary staircases
For a minimalist look consider simply changing out the spindles and reusing the existing banister [handrail.]
“If you are leaving the handrail, how do the existing ones engage? If you replace one, more than likely you’ll need to replace the other,” he said.
Light and airy, a contemporary staircase seemingly floats. It appears to be detached from the solid structures of a traditional staircase, because the structural features are not visible.
Glass, metal or other modern materials may be used to make up the staircase system.
Gray said glass panels instead of posts and railings can be an innovative option for a contemporary staircase, and can work in even traditional or transitional home environments .
“A white oak staircase with metal posts and glass panels in between them” can create a striking blend of materials and styles, Gray said.
“You can mix styles and change the look of the home successfully,” he said.
Space and storage
When a house has multiple levels, there may or may not be an opportunity to optimize otherwise “dead” space inherent to staircase construction.
“On the first floor staircases typically stack, so there is not an option” to create storage, a small play or desk alcove area, Gemmi said.
Lower level staircases may provide an area to carve out storage, a kid’s hangout, nook or a play area, he explained.
Staircases with turns
Staircases with more than one landing can provide space for cabinetry, occasional tables and furnishings or a personal art gallery.
Depending on the home and shape of the staircase those with large landings – or those that make a hard turn – offer room to include a window seat. This type of staircase may also make moving furniture easily, according to Gemmi.
“A window seat is low, and the landing would not feel like it ‘outsizes’ the staircase,” he said.
Window seats can be a convenient area to install hidden storage, too, providing a cozy corner to read, rest or enjoy that first cup of morning coffee.
Landings can create an opportunity for hidden storage space, too.
“It really depends on the footprint of the stair system in your home,” he said.
When removing drywall and framing underneath the staircase to create cubbies or pull out storage, keep the area’s visual aesthetics in mind.
“Be careful not to create ‘too busy’ a space,” Gray said.
New build
When you have the opportunity to design a home – and a new staircase – aim to keep it as wide as possible, to ensure the stairway is not only practical but safe.
Gemmi said it’s imperative to follow all local building codes when planning any revision to an existing or building new staircase project.
There are many construction regulations, which drive the remodeling and new construction of a staircase. Check with local municipal zoning offices regarding permits before you contract or begin any new home project.
“Are you planning on aging in place? Then you need to have the structure to add a stair glide, or perhaps you’ll add an elevator. And any time you introduce a curve to a staircase, you add cost,” Gemmi said.
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