In both new homes and refurbishment projects, staircases serve as a striking centrepiece.
Contemporary staircases blend practicality with innovative finishes that add character to any home.
Choosing the right staircase means thinking about layout, usage and design.
Floating Staircases: Streamlined and Structural
This design gives the impression of suspension, adding lightness and flow to open areas.
This layout maintains transparency and is well suited to open-concept interiors.
They’re customisable in various finishes to suit both ultra-modern and warm, contemporary schemes.
Spiral Staircases: Functional Elegance in Small Spaces
Their compact footprint allows them to be installed in corners or tighter areas without sacrificing visual interest.
This design creates a distinctive shape that stands out in smaller rooms.
Aside from space-saving, they introduce a dynamic shape and can serve as an interior sculpture.
Clarity in Design: Glass Staircases
Glass staircases maximise openness by allowing light to travel freely through the structure.
Made using reinforced or laminated glass, they are built with safety and durability in mind.
They match well with industrial, modern, or mixed-material interiors.
Industrial-Style Staircases: Raw Structure with Character
They highlight imperfections and raw edges as part of their aesthetic.
Frequently used in lofts or converted industrial spaces, this style adds weight and substance to the architecture.
They can also be softened with lighting or adjacent wood textures.
Open-Riser Staircases: Modern Airiness
Open-riser designs omit the riser between steps, helping light pass through and keeping spaces open.
This design blends well with timber treads, metal frames or transparent railings.
Material choices include hardwoods like ash or beech, steel brackets, or toughened glass for a cleaner outline.
Timber Stairs: Classic Material, Modern Build
Their tactile appeal provides a welcome contrast to glass and metal interiors.
From simple straight runs to dramatic helical designs, timber staircases offer design freedom.
Whether it’s solid oak or engineered timber, modern finishes can make traditional materials feel fresh.
Frequently Asked Questions on Staircases
What makes floating staircases popular?
They give a sense of openness while maintaining structural strength, making them ideal for open layouts or minimal interiors.
Are spiral staircases complex to install?
They require precise measurement and placement, so working with a specialist is recommended for safety and fit.
Can glass staircases handle daily wear?
Tempered or laminated glass is specifically engineered for daily use, providing both strength and modern appeal.
Are industrial designs only for lofts?
Not at all. With the right balance of materials, industrial-style staircases can suit a wide range of homes, from rustic to refined.
What are open-riser staircases made from?
Most are built using wood, metal, or glass – or a combination thereof – depending on the desired finish and structural need.
There’s a staircase to suit every lifestyle and layout, from ultra-minimalist to bold and structural.
Browse the full modern staircases collection at StairFactory to find a staircase that complements your home.