Collection by Dwell

190+ Best Modern Staircase Ideas

From solid wood to industrial steel, these modern staircases are more than just a way to get from one part of the house to another.

The home’s roof is constructed of 80 percent recycled content. The interior system boasts a Mitsubishi mini-split heat pump, a Zehnder heat recovery ventilator (HRV), and an integrated home performance monitoring system by PowerWise.
The home’s roof is constructed of 80 percent recycled content. The interior system boasts a Mitsubishi mini-split heat pump, a Zehnder heat recovery ventilator (HRV), and an integrated home performance monitoring system by PowerWise.
The ground level contains the living and dining spaces. Upstairs there are two bedrooms, plus the master suite.
The ground level contains the living and dining spaces. Upstairs there are two bedrooms, plus the master suite.
The main staircase consists of simple oak treads that cantilever out from side walls sheathed in natural vertical board and are supported on the other side by a continuous grill-like railing truss.
The main staircase consists of simple oak treads that cantilever out from side walls sheathed in natural vertical board and are supported on the other side by a continuous grill-like railing truss.
Fabricated by Stocklin Iron Works and designed by Nebolon, the orange staircase features steel railings and treads made from IKEA wood butcher blocks. “We designed the open staircase to make the trip to the second floor fun,” the architect says.
Fabricated by Stocklin Iron Works and designed by Nebolon, the orange staircase features steel railings and treads made from IKEA wood butcher blocks. “We designed the open staircase to make the trip to the second floor fun,” the architect says.
The spiral stairs were fabricated in the Bay Area and shipped in the same container as the furniture.
The spiral stairs were fabricated in the Bay Area and shipped in the same container as the furniture.
Stairs made of teak lead from the guest bedroom to the roof garden.
Stairs made of teak lead from the guest bedroom to the roof garden.
The second-floor family room is fronted by an L-shaped staircase with an opaque guardrail that provides some privacy for the front facade.
The second-floor family room is fronted by an L-shaped staircase with an opaque guardrail that provides some privacy for the front facade.
From the second level of the house, Griffin climbs the stairs his own way.
From the second level of the house, Griffin climbs the stairs his own way.
The interiors were designed by Landes's mother, Catalina Echavarria. Finding inspiration in Balinese craftsmanship, she incorporated materials like exotic salvaged wood, bamboo, rattan, and handmade linen.
The interiors were designed by Landes's mother, Catalina Echavarria. Finding inspiration in Balinese craftsmanship, she incorporated materials like exotic salvaged wood, bamboo, rattan, and handmade linen.
A cozy reading nook fits underneath the stairs, saving floor space in the 1690-square-foot home.
A cozy reading nook fits underneath the stairs, saving floor space in the 1690-square-foot home.
Rural and urban sensibilities mix indoors. The double-height living room nods to the loft-like spaces the family was accustomed to in Seattle; rough-hewn wood boards appeal to their "wabi sabi" taste in design.
Rural and urban sensibilities mix indoors. The double-height living room nods to the loft-like spaces the family was accustomed to in Seattle; rough-hewn wood boards appeal to their "wabi sabi" taste in design.
A George Nelson pendant hangs in the reconfigured entrance hall, whose stairs echo the concrete steps off the back deck.
A George Nelson pendant hangs in the reconfigured entrance hall, whose stairs echo the concrete steps off the back deck.
The architect minimized costs by keeping the detailing relatively simple. That naturally led to simple shapes and clean lines that enhance the home's minimalist feel.
The architect minimized costs by keeping the detailing relatively simple. That naturally led to simple shapes and clean lines that enhance the home's minimalist feel.
Executing subtle design details, even in transitional spaces, was one of the great successes of the collaborative architect-contractor relationship. "Our collective strength," says Dovetail principal Chad Rollins, is that “we genuinely understand each other’s craft.” In the transition from the den to the artist studio, natural myrtlewood stairs meet a wood-grain Daltile landing. Where the stair treads and risers meet the wall, a three-quarter-inch reveal is placed in lieu of conventional baseboard. These simple and clean details so often “can be costly to create and can be jeopardized when the budget is under pressure,” says Rollins.
Executing subtle design details, even in transitional spaces, was one of the great successes of the collaborative architect-contractor relationship. "Our collective strength," says Dovetail principal Chad Rollins, is that “we genuinely understand each other’s craft.” In the transition from the den to the artist studio, natural myrtlewood stairs meet a wood-grain Daltile landing. Where the stair treads and risers meet the wall, a three-quarter-inch reveal is placed in lieu of conventional baseboard. These simple and clean details so often “can be costly to create and can be jeopardized when the budget is under pressure,” says Rollins.
Engineered white oak floors and a wide staircase up to the pavilion were the two primary changes to the downstairs. The dining room table is an original piece by Albert Paley.
Engineered white oak floors and a wide staircase up to the pavilion were the two primary changes to the downstairs. The dining room table is an original piece by Albert Paley.
The staircase is about 46 feet tall from top to bottom.
The staircase is about 46 feet tall from top to bottom.
FORMstudio designed an acrylic balustrade that winds up the 1,647-square-foot home's five levels. The flooring throughout is white oak.
FORMstudio designed an acrylic balustrade that winds up the 1,647-square-foot home's five levels. The flooring throughout is white oak.
Stained oak flooring was used throughout the home’s ground level, and continues up the main stairwell. Painted steel was used for the guardrails.
Stained oak flooring was used throughout the home’s ground level, and continues up the main stairwell. Painted steel was used for the guardrails.
Stainless-steel cables along the stairs function as a second railing without blocking views through the adjacent windows.
Stainless-steel cables along the stairs function as a second railing without blocking views through the adjacent windows.

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