Staircases are easily the most forgotten part of a house, and we all know why. There are very few houses (at least in T1 and 2 cities) that truly get to enjoy the beauty and opulence of a well-built staircase. Very few homes are built with a structure that includes staircases as part of the main foyer or entry of the house. But now that duplexes are having a moment again, with more and more builder homes coming with duplex options and folks incorporating private staircases in their shared floors, here are 10 types of staircases you can add to your home, based on the space you can spare and the vibe you want to go for.
Here's A Breakdown Of 8 Types Of Staircases & How To Choose One
Straight
Pretty straightforward, a straight staircase, unlike life, takes you straight to the destination without any curveballs. Structurally, it is the easiest one to install in your home, although they tend to take up a fair amount of space as the area under the staircase gets entirely occupied. If your stairs are placed right next to the entrance in your floor plan, this is a good choice.
U-Shaped
The most common style, and works pretty much for the same reasons as the straight staircase, it's structurally sound and works best close to the entrance. This is also a safe option if your staircase is placed outside the floor entrance in your floor plan. Since these tend to occupy a fair bit of space, incorporating storage space under these might be a good idea, especially if your household tends to have hoarding tendencies.
Spiral
Spiral staircases add an old European charm to any space, and look like they're straight out of an aesthetic Parisienne Pinterest board. Although, going up and down on one feels a bit scary because of how careful you need to be with your steps. These are perfect if you have a semi-covered terrace and need to add a staircase to connect to the roof on top. We recommend painting them a pretty colour to add to the quirk.
L-Shaped
If you have a bit more space to spare but want to keep the vibe of your house classic and elegant, consider adding a few broader steps at the base of your staircase and making it an L-shaped one. These also work well for floating staircases as they balance out the subtlety of those with the illusion of grandness the first few steps create.
Floating
Floating staircases borrow their name from the fact that the steps are mounted on a wall, and a railing that holds them together. The area under the staircase can be used up as usual. These are the ideal pick for homes where carpet area is limited. They're like a great colleague–barely take up any space, and get the job done.
Storage-cum-Staircase
Harry Potter's nightmare and a desi household favourite is the storage-slash-staircases. To describe it simply, it is the straight or U-shaped staircases where the area under the staircase is utilised for storage. Perfect for homes where you can never have enough cupboards, but if you ever want to get creative with the space, here are some under-staircase design ideas to check out.
Curved
If straight staircases seem passe, and you really want them to be the centre of attention in your home, a curved staircase could do wonders. Depending on the vibe of your home, you can choose how curved you want them to be and the material you wish to go for. If you have a more contemporary home, go for wooden or marble steps and a slight curve, and if the vibe is more old-world Victorian, a carpeted one with the traditional full curve might be it!
Split Or Bifurcated
The grandest of them all (and rarely spotted in Indian homes), a split or bifurcated staircase would work best in a huge mansion or villa. Though I do think it is a bit too much space dedicated to a staircase, but if you have your heart set on them, I get it. There is nothing that says old money like a staircase in the home optimised for walking fewer steps.
