Whether you’re building a new house or renovating your current one, the staircase is a fundamental house fixture you should factor in with the interior design. Known mostly for its function of connecting one floor to another, staircases add a design element to the house as well. Along with the hallway, it often determines the first impression of visitors when they step inside.
There are a variety of staircases to choose from and several materials from which they’re made. Choosing the right staircase design makes a difference to the overall feel of your home.
Here are four decision-making factors to consider when choosing or designing a new staircase:
Budget
Building a staircase is a home improvement that doesn’t come cheap. Your budget determines the materials and resources for the project, as well as the style of the stairs. Spending more doesn’t automatically mean you’ll have a beautiful staircase, but it does give you more design options and flexibility to add decorations.
Ask quotes from providers or a house designer to have an idea of how much different pieces of staircases cost. This will help you in deciding the design and materials that will go to your project.
Space
The available space in your home determines your staircase design, which should be functional and fit perfectly in the available area. When choosing where to place the staircase, consider how much space to devote to it. In some instances, you might end up choosing a different design or placing the stairs in a completely different area than you had originally planned.
There are numerous staircase design ideas that are ideal for different spaces. Spiral, straight or L-shaped staircases are a good option for small spaces, while you can opt for curved, helical or U-shaped designs if you have a larger area. Discuss with your homebuilder how large the rooms are and how much space you want to allocate for the stairs.
Materials
A variety of materials can be used for making stairs: concrete, glass, marble, steel and timbre. Combining materials is also a choice if you want to create a unique look for your staircase. See to it that the materials match the overall look of your home. Another factor you need to consider is the ease of maintaining the staircase, no matter what material it’s made of.
Safety and Building Code Compliance
Before you start the project, be sure to check with the local building codes to know the acceptable design parameters for stairs. Following the regulations ensure that your staircase is not only functional and visually appealing but also safe to use.
Some staircase designs also keep the safety of users in mind. The safest types of stairs are those with a landing: return stairs, L-shaped stairs and U-shaped stairs. If you have children or elderly people at home, be sure to include handrails.
Changing the surfaces on entering and exiting the stair can also lessen accidents by warning people of the impending drop.
Staircases are an important fixture of the home because of their function, but they also improve the overall look of your home. Considering every detail and finalising your design during the planning stage ensures that you’ll get the right staircase design that combines aesthetics, function and safety for the members of your family.
