Staircases are more than just a way to move from one floor to another. When created and styled properly, they can be a stunning centre piece of the home. We asked some interior designers to share their tips on how to make your staircase stand out. But if you don’t want to make the changes yourself, we have some properties for sale that already have a perfect sweeping staircase to impress your guests.

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“Often treated with dismissiveness, the stairs instead are a very important and crucial area in the house,” explained Elisa and Nicky of ElNi Interiors. “They are the element that holds the house together, floor by floor, and a space where designers, architects and owners can truly show off.

“The high walls of even the smallest staircase are invitations to display collections. These can be the perfect spot for black and white monochrome groups of photos or paintings arranged around a theme or style.  Alternatively, it could be the strategic area to host the most incredible eclectic collection of mirrors to catch both the eye and the light.

“If you have a staircase area with very little light, don't fall into the trap of thinking you must paint it in a very light colour. By using the darker, more dramatic tones, you will conversely help the rooms off the stairs area to look and feel lighter and bigger."

Camps Bay, Cape Town, South Africa, ZAR 35,000,000 

Patterns 

Anna Ward from Furnished by Anna suggests that staircases should be well furnished to maintain the flow and personality of the home.

“Striped carpets are extremely popular for stairs and it is an area you can go bolder on, but some of the more interesting patterns come in zig zags or spots and they really work to soften square hallways and add a really burst of colour. Flatweave carpets provide a huge range of choice and are extremely elegant in more muted colourways – so perfect for when you have a stunning staircase and want something warm to enhance it, but not take away from the design.

“If you’re lucky enough to have a double or triple height wall on your staircase, a large mural or wallpaper section will look fantastic as it again draws the eye up and really enhances the architecture of the space while adding a really bold design element.”

Knysna, Western Cape, South Africa, ZAR 30,000,000

Be bold

Helen from Elle Interiors says that the design and decoration of a staircase is often the first thing people notice when they walk through the front door.

“The visual impact of your staircase will reflect upon the entire property,” she explains. “Make sure you make a statement - swap solid balustrades or dated spindles for a more modern equivalent. Decorative black wrought iron will allow light to flow more freely.”

Carvoeiro, Portugal, EUR 5,500,000

Under the stairs

Just because a staircase is functional doesn’t mean it has to be uninteresting, says Judith Todd of Homestyle 4 U. "If the staircase itself is plain, add interest with the flooring or wall covering. I have seen wooden staircases painted in different colours or with inspirational quotes painted on the risers. Bold wallpapers or adding a picture or photo gallery up the staircase wall works well.

“The under stairs area can often be an underutilised space which can be vital if space is limited. Built in storage or creating an office or seating area are some practical ideas. Commissioning bespoke storage from a joiner is often a very cost-effective solution.” 

Shenley, Hertfordshire, £2,500,000

Lighting 

Samantha Morphew from Morph Designs says: "The perfect accompaniment to any staircase is to add some beautiful lighting and to pair it with a splash of block colour. Your staircase is one of the main features of your home, so make sure you treat it as one. Adding colour gives it focus and with a stunning pendant filling the large space above the staircase you end up with a glamorous and designer look. There are so many lighting options out there, so when choosing your perfect pendant, make sure it fits the space. If you have a large sweeping staircase – the bigger the better. If your staircase is narrower, pick something that will elongate the space. You can also use lighting to create a certain look, so pick your pendant to suit your tastes and style." 

More properties with stunning staircases 

Hove, POA

Bolton, £3,750,000

Leck, Carnforth, £1,200,000

Sandton, Gauteng, South Africa, ZAR 39,900,000

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