Staircases in your home can create some great architectural design to your atmosphere. Staircases may be small or large but are equally important no matter the size. Staircases connect the floors in your home; they act as a huge design statement for many rooms in your household.

Types of staircases to suit each home

1. Arched staircase

Because of the arched staircase’s graceful appearance, it has almost exclusively been placed in entryways and foyers. This is certainly the staircase to choose when looking for a centerpiece or grand first impression of the home. The disadvantage that comes with this type of stairs is that it is the most difficult of all to plan and construct, since all of its details, including the handrails need to be curved.

2. Straight and simple

Straight stairs are by far the most widespread and popular, they are convenient, functional and the most cost-effective. If you’re looking for the most practical solution, a straight staircase will never be the wrong choice. It is especially suited to minimalist homes and interiors due to its intrinsic simplicity. It is, however, significant to note these type of stairs take up much linear space and does not create a barrier between floors, which usually creates some privacy.

3. In the corners

It is also often referred to as L-shaped stairs and can have more than one landing when more than one change in orientation is required. Quarter landing stairs are very convenient and are also safer than straight stairs, due to the landing, which provides a place of rest in moving up or down. This staircase is ideal for corners, as it easily conforms to the space of the house’s design. It is a very logical use of space, and can be much more visually interesting than a straight line. The downside is that it is more difficult to construct, and more support is usually necessary, rendering it less cost-effective.

4. Winder

Winder stairs throw caution to the wind and eliminates the landing in rotations of either 90 or 180 degrees. The rotation is compensated for by wedge-shaped stairs around the turns. This is a visually interesting type of staircase, as it produces gentle, fluent lines and a seamless transition from one level to the next. Characteristics like these make it popular in modern homes, and it can be easily installed in a variety of spaces. The winder staircase requires less space, but is complex in design and demands very accurate calculations and planning. The tapering of the wedge-shaped treads also make the turns harder to navigate and a hazard for missing a step.

6. Spiraling down

The spiral staircase is certainly the most interesting design. It has a helical arc, resembling the shape of a spring. All of the treads are wedge-shaped, but as opposed to the winder and arched staircases, these treads are all consistent in size. There is a central vertical post around which the treads radiate. Spiral stairs are found mostly in city loft apartments, due to its economical use of space, ease of installation, and limitations of capacity. A spiral staircase is not really suited to frequent use, as it has a confined area which is difficult to move upon. Only one person can navigate the stairs at any one time, and it is difficult to carry large items up or down on it. This is also why many building codes do not allow the use of spiral stairs as primary ingress to a full-sized second floor.