More and more Americans are moving into smaller houses.
These houses are often cheaper, and some believe they can actually encourage a happier lifestyle. However, there is one big challenge that comes with small houses.
They don’t have a lot of space.
This isn’t always a problem, but it does mean you have to get creative with every square foot. And one of the biggest features that sucks up space is your staircase.
We’ve put together this quick guide about staircase ideas for small spaces to help you get inspired. So let’s get started!
1. Staircase with Storage Space
One of the best ways to fit a staircase into a tight space is to make it double as a storage solution. Turn each step into a drawer where you can put clothing, install shelves under the steps for books, or keep seasonal items tucked away into an under-the-stairs cupboard.
Turning your staircase into a storage space can also make it a beautiful feature for your home. Not only will it save space, but it can also be a creative design element.
2. Pull-Out Stairs
You only need your stairs when you need them.
This might be an obvious statement, but there’s no reason to let your stairs take up space when you don’t need them. Pull-out stairs can slide in and out of the wall, so you can put them away to free up some floor space.
3. Vertical Staircase
A vertical staircase is similar to a traditional staircase, but the slant is much steeper. Think of a ladder, but this “ladder” has the same stability as stairs. Because of this, you may need to add handrails to make climbing up and down safer.
If you really want to save space, you can choose to skip the staircase and use a loft ladder instead.
There are many different types of loft ladders you can find. So if you don’t like the traditional look of a loft ladder, you’ll be able to find something else that matches your design preferences.
4. Ribbon Staircase
Ribbon staircases are also more vertical than normal staircases, but they aren’t as steep as vertical stairs. They’ll help you save space, but you won’t feel like you’re climbing up a ladder.
These stairs also double as an artistic eye-catcher.
Instead of normal steps, ribbon staircases wind each step like a piece of ribbon candy. The back of each step is also left open. This allows light to get through, which can make a small space feel much more open.
5. Extra Thin Staircase
If you don’t want to make your staircase nay steeper than normal, you can also save space by making it thinner than normal.
But be careful.
These stairs should always have a safety rail to prevent you from falling. It’s also a good idea to keep at least one side of thin staircases against the wall.
6. Floating Staircase
Floating staircases don’t touch the ground (except for the bottom step). Instead, the staircase is fastened to the wall.
That leaves all the space underneath the steps open. You can fit entire pieces of furniture in this space, including tables, desks, TVs, couches, etc. Because of this, floating stairs are a good choice for small living rooms.
7. Hanging Staircase
Don’t have enough wall space for a floating staircase? You can install a hanging staircase instead.
These steps hang from the ceiling, meaning you can put them anywhere.
And they don’t look as out of place as you might think. Since the space between each step is open, it makes the room feel airy and open. Just make sure you have the proper handrails at each step. Otherwise, falling is an easy mistake.
8. Spiral Staircase
You might think a spiral staircase would take up more space than a traditional staircase. But actually, the opposite is true.
Spiral staircases take up much less floor space. You can fit a spiral staircase in a corner without having to climb up and down a steep slope.
These types of staircases can also serve as an interesting design element, spiral stairs are uncommon, and they can complement other unique features of your home.
9. Mix and Match
If you’re trying to find the right staircase for your small home, you aren’t limited to these options. You can mix and match your favorite elements from each choice.
For example, do you like the idea of an extra narrow staircase, but do you also want to turn your stairs into additional storage space?
Do both.
Narrow stairs might smaller than normal, but you can still turn each step into a drawer or bookshelf. And the same is true for many other stairs on this list.
Like the idea of both a floating and hanging staircase? Keep the stairs against the wall, but hang each step from the ceiling to make a creative design.
Picking the Best Staircase Ideas for Small Spaces
When it comes to picking the best staircase ideas for small spaces, you have to get creative. Let these ideas give you inspiration, but don’t let them limit you. There are several other staircase designs out there to choose from.
And don’t rush into a decision.
You can always use a loft ladder in your home until you find the best staircase design for your needs. If you hurry through the stair installation process, you might get stuck with stairs that really cramp up your space.
Want to learn some other helpful home design tips? Make sure you check out some of our other posts!
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