by Jemma Pearson After years in the home design doldrums, staircases are finally coming into their own.

When considering staircase design, you’re one of those home owner’s that doesn’t want anything fancy, just something to get you up to the top floor and back down, right? If you think this way, you’re outnumbered – today’s home owners are popping the spotlight on the staircase, and architects and designers are using terms like ‘dramatic’ ‘sculptural’ and ‘statement’ in relation to this once humble building element. New design ideas, materials and technological advances are allowing builders to create staircases that hang from ceilings, twist around columns or seem to float in the air.

Classic or contemporary?

Still, there’s nothing wrong with a classic staircase, which suits a traditional-style home. A solid wooden staircase, with elaborately turned balusters and large newel posts (which are used to support the handrail at the top and bottom of a stair and where there’s a change of direction) are features of a classic staircase. Timbers are usually stained to a rich dark finish. On the other hand, contemporary staircases feature clean lines that are right at home in a new residence. Stylish and minimalist, these staircases are made of a variety of materials.

The tried and tested wooden rails and balusters are making way for sheets of glass, horizontal wires and wooden slats that rise from the floor to meet the ceiling

Hold on

A baluster is one in a series of vertical posts that support the handrail. The balustrade is the collective term of all these elements. Balustrades can direct and block the movement of light and air, and transform the mood of the entire staircase. For this reason the choice of balustrade is crucial in the success of the staircase design. The tried and tested wooden rails and balusters are making way for sheets of glass, horizontal wires and wooden slats that rise from the floor to meet the ceiling. Custom-designed balustrades in a variety of designs and materials can also be created.

Get the gear

Timber is still a firm favourite material in the construction of the stair treads and balustrades. Glass is a popular choice for contemporary designs, but stainless steel, stone and even sheet metal are appearing in homes. Still, we are likely to see a trend away from heavier materials, as designers and builders experiment with more environmentally friendly materials. Lightweight, sustainably grown timbers and recycled and composite materials will be shaped into the next generation of stairs.

What's what

• The no-nonsense choice, a straight staircase against the wall is suited to homes where space is limited.
• Squeezed into tight spaces, the spiral staircase has curved treads and a single handrail, and wraps around a middle column.
• Perfect for units, u-shape staircases have small landings halfway up that change direction.
• The treads on cantilevered staircases extend from the wall, giving the impression that the structure floats in mid-air.
• Rigid cables from the ceiling or walls support suspended staircases.