The staircase can be one of the biggest design features in your home, but getting it wrong can affect much more than appearances. From impractical materials to poorly considered lighting, seemingly small design decisions can make a staircase harder to use, maintain and live with over time.
As one of the first things you see when walking through the front door, your staircase has the power to make a lasting impression, so it deserves just as much design consideration as the rooms around it.
‘With the staircase, it’s an interesting area of the home as it’s not a social space like the living room or kitchen,’ says series five Interior Design Masters finalist Matt Smith-Wood, who is working with stairlift and home lift brand Stannah. ‘It’s a way of getting from downstairs to upstairs but also deserves an intentional, pleasing design where your individuality shines through like the rest of the home.’
But good staircase design needs to balance style with safety and practicality. Here, Matt reveals the staircase design mistakes to avoid – and what to do instead.
• Read more: Interior Design Masters: Where are they now?
Mistake #1. Choosing an all-neutral colour palette
Soft greys, creams and stone shades are timeless favourites, but using only light, neutral colours on a staircase can make individual steps much harder to distinguish.
‘Using only light, neutral colours might seem like a safe option but it removes visual boundaries between each step, so they’re more difficult to see,’ explains Matt. ‘It’s better to introduce contrast for orientation and an easier understanding of scale.’
Don’t be afraid to mix dark and light tones to create clear distinctions. Introducing contrasting shades on treads, risers or handrails can help define the staircase while still creating a stylish, cohesive look.
Mistake #2. Using busy patterns with little contrast
Patterned carpets can instantly add personality, but intricate designs may not always be the most practical option.
‘Patterns could be misinterpreted as an obstacle in the way by somebody with age-related visual impairment, leading to an unnatural gait when getting up and down the stairs,’ says Matt. ‘Additionally, a busy pattern disguises the edges of steps which can pose a fall risk.’
Instead, he recommends creating contrast through texture as well as colour. A tighter weave at the edge of each step can provide a subtle tactile cue underfoot, making stairs easier to navigate without relying on sight alone.
Mistake #3. Installing a spiral or floating staircase
Floating staircases and elegant spiral designs remain popular in contemporary homes, but they may not be the most practical choice if you're planning to stay in your property long term.
‘If you’re planning on staying in your home for years to come, consider whether these styles will still be able to serve you in later life,’ Matt explains. ‘As spiral staircases have wedge-shaped steps that are wide on the outside and smaller towards the centre, the inconsistency can create a trip hazard that increases the risk of falls.’
Floating staircases can also create difficulties. ‘Their open design often reduces the visual definition between steps, making it harder to judge depth and identify where one tread ends and the next begins,’ says Matt.
Instead, opt for a classic staircase design, as not only will this add timelessness to your home, but it will also prevent accidents.
Mistake #4. Relying on moody lighting
Statement lighting can transform a hallway – but, if it's the only source of illumination, it can make a staircase much harder to use safely.
‘One of the biggest mistakes I see is staircases being lit by a single light fitting,’ says Matt. ‘It is better to have lighting that is evenly spread across the whole staircase, so that shadows don’t make it difficult to distinguish each step.’
It’s also a good idea to avoid lighting that's too cool or overly warm. ‘Very cool white light can feel quite harsh, while overly warm lighting can sometimes make it harder to pick out details,’ Matt adds.
It’s better to opt for neutral white or daylight white, typically rated around 3500K to 4000K on the Kelvin scale.
Mistake #5. Opting for the narrowest staircase possible
Slim staircases can free up valuable hallway space, but they often become less practical in everyday life.
‘If you have the option, I will always recommend making a staircase wider than the minimum required because it feels much grander and more impressive, while also being more comfortable to use daily,’ says Matt.
Wider staircases can also help future-proof a home. ‘If mobility needs change over time, a wider staircase provides much more flexibility as it can be adapted without compromising the usability of the stairs for guests and other members of the household,’ he adds.
Even if accessibility is not a concern for you today, it is something that is worth considering for the future. Renovating a forever home is one of the biggest financial decisions you can make in a lifetime, so it’s key to make choices that will support you through all stages of life – not just based on current design trends.
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