Staircases are often overlooked spaces, transitional areas that you move through but never stop and pay that much attention to. However, the staircase trends of 2024 are all about putting as much effort into these spaces as any other room in the home.
From bold colors, to intricate staircase designs, whether you are looking for a quick update or starting from scratch, these trends are sure to inspire you to make this space more of a focal point in your home. We spoke with designers to get an insight into what the key staircase ideas are for 2024 and beyond.
8 Staircase trends for 2024
For some beautiful inspiration for your next project, spend some time exploring our collection of the 2023 staircase trends – you might just come away with a brand new favorite look or style.
1. Enclosed staircases
Wooden staircases are a classic, but it's a material often reserved for more traditional spaces. However, staircase trends are seeing wood being used in a more statement, contemporary way, not just on the staircases themselves but flowing up the sides in place of spindles and a banister. The look is a complete left turn from the floating, open staircases that have dominated trends in recent years but the result is just as eyecatching and works perfectly in open plan spaces.
Design firm Raili Ca opted for a statement wooden staircase in this modern organic home. Raili Clasen, the studio's founder explains, 'Enclosed stairs clad in all natural wood is a direction we are loving. The open stair concept still works great in smaller spaces to open up the room but having a determined 'route' enclosed with wood acts as a mini journey into other areas in the house.'
2. Let smaller details be the focus
Staircase runners are classic, but they have their own cycle of trends going on. This year interior designer Jennifer Walter says the focus is less on the runner and what's going on around it – the treads, trims, and rods. You can get so many unique rod designs now, they shouldn't be an afterthought, in fact, they can easily be the focal point of your staircase.
'The stair runner is not going anywhere!' says Jennifer. 'Not only a sound dampener, a stair runner is a clever way to brighten and accentuate a staircase. It’s often the first thing guests see in the home, so people are investing on stairs! Newer trends include trim in leather, new and different nailheads (like the face of a coin), and contrasting colors with the runner itself. You can really get creative and let your personality shine.'
3. Treat a staircase and landing like a room
This trend just highlights that designers are changing these transitional spaces into area's that still reflect personal style and feel like part of the rest of the home, rather than just a means to get from A to B. Approach designing your staircase as you would with any other room, bring in character and personality even if space is tight.
As designer Kathy Kuo explains, 'I love the idea of treating your staircase area in a similar way that you might your hallways or foyer – an area that's sometimes forgotten but that has so much decor potential. Try creating a mini gallery wall in your stairwell with a mix of framed photos and wall art that you can also extend into your rooms at the top and bottom of the stairs.'
4. Going bare
Simplicity is a much larger trend going on in interior design this year. And in staircases that means going bare. Forget rugs, runners and even paint and embrace the beauty of a wooden staircase.
For this project designer Murude Katipoglu, Founder of MURUDÉ, wanted to highlight the beautiful wooden floors by leaving them bare throughout many of the rooms, including the staircase. She explains, 'We wanted to use the same floor finish throughout the property and on the staircase to create consistency and flow across all five floors. We chose solid oak flooring and treads and carried through the black metal details seen in the window frames, Crittall metal doors, and spindles. We wanted to bring subtle, soft curvatures to this staircase design and incorporated the same aesthetic language in the decorative wall lights.'
5. Fluid forms
Fluid forms and organic shapes are set to dominate design trends for 2024, and this trend can be taken all the way to the staircase.
Helping to create a more relaxed, calming atmosphere, the white-washed timber used for this staircase has been beautifully crafted with a sweeping, soft edge, creating a more inviting, informal look. The beautiful curved panel creates a truly elegant design detail, with the dark wooden rail adding warming color and further natural texture. A simple yet utterly beautiful design.
6. Mixing materials
Using an elegant mix of materials and uniting contrasting textures, colors and shapes can make for a staircase design rich with appealing visual interest.
Wonderfully shown in this renovated Victorian London home, the traditional 1850s staircase has been replaced with a striking, steel and timber design from Cake Industries. Establishing a stylish contrast, the juxtaposition between the warming oak steps and floor, and sleek steel edging and railings, creates a bold, graphic look, with a unique, industrial edge.
We also love how the use of glass enhances the natural light in the space, creating a feeling of openness and allowing for the staircase to be appreciated from all angles.
7. Barely there staircases
Floating staircases have been popular with architects and designers for quite a while now, but for 2024 designers are going even more minimalist.
'A floating staircase can really create a sense of magic and intriguing visual interest. Stripped back to bare essentials, a floating staircase is a simplified design that can wonderfully trick the eye; ideal for those who prefer a more modern, minimalist style, or for smaller spaces where you want light to flood through a room,' says Sarah Spiteri, global brand director for Homes & Gardens.
So how does a floating design work? Well, instead of being supported at each side, the stair rises are connected to a hidden metal framework within the walls, often made from materials such as steel, or supported by a hidden frame underneath. This leaves the risers exposed, establishing the unique, 'floating' effect.
Pair with a unique hanging railing, like in the design above, sleek glass panels, or leave fully exposed for a truly striking look.
8. Statement spiral designs
Historically, spiral staircases were originally created for medieval castles as a from of protection. Over time, the spiral staircase has been revolutionized into a magnificent design feature, adding a dynamic presence to any space and working with any style. And for 2024 the trend is the bigger and more statement the better.
Richard McLane, design director at Bisca says, 'From a design perspective, spiral staircases, with their DNA-like profiles, are both sculptural and functional. Practically, they are great for those who want to improve their current living space without physically moving; as a spiral is a good way of extending up to the loft, or down into the basement.'
There's something for all styles in the staircase trends of 2024, from uber modern barely there designs to a return to more traditional runners with statement rods. Whatever trends you choose to follow, the main takeaway is that staircases deserve attention and you should approach the design with as much effort and consideration as any other room.
