THE ONLY WAY IS UP

WHILE STAIRS ARE A PRACTICAL PART OF THE HOME, THERE ARE PLENTY OF WAYS TO ADD PERSONAL TOUCHES

- KATE BARBER

No longer just a way to get from A to B, staircases have become features in their own right and are a bold way to express your individuality. “Traditionally, stairs were hidden in the corner and crammed in,” says Veronica Caceres, director of Sydney Staircase Builders. “Now, stairs are often the first thing people see when they walk through the door.”

While it’s essential to consider the right style of staircase and materials for the treads, risers, balustrade and finial to suit your home, it’s just as important to use complementary decorative elements such as lighting, paint colours and windows to transform a space from ho-hum to wow. Here, experts share their advice on how to get it right.

1 Take a twirl

Evoking visions of centuries-old European churches, spiral staircases often double as sculptural pieces. This ribbon-like one in a modern home in Melbourne (above) proves less really is more with its crisp white walls and pale-coloured timber flooring and handrail. However, there are some practical aspects to look into if you decide to go for this option. “A spiral staircase is much narrower than a traditional staircase as it uses less floor space,” says interior designer Victoria Waters. “Consider installation of furniture on the upper level prior to installing it as it can be challenging to move furniture on a spiral staircase.”

2 Colour me happy