From marble helical flights to timber U-shaped designs, Georgina Crothers shares a selection of innovative ideas to inspire your stairs

Cake Industries (www. cakeindustries. co.uk) worked with Chris Dyson Architects to design this semispiral staircase made up of a hollow circular spine in rolled steel, solid oak treads and a brass handrail

PETER LANDERS

Investing in a staircase that meets your practical needs and ties in with your home’s design can really transform a space and how you move throughout it on a day-to-day basis. Stairs often take pride of place in a floorplan, and in many cases, they’re the first feature you see when you walk through the front door. Not only do they have to serve a practical purpose in connecting one storey to another, but with careful planning and consideration, they can become an impressive focal point that defines the overall style of your property.

When it comes to the look of your staircase, there are lots of design options as well as a range of materials that can be mixed and matched. Depending on your criteria, different materials suit different applications. For example, natural stone stairs are extremely durable, easy to maintain and will last a long time. Timber is a versatile material , with many species and the option to stain or paint it to evolve with your home’s design. Steel is strong but can be moulded to form sturdy spiral staircase designs, and is ideal if you prefer an industrial aesthetic. Glass looks contemporary while letting in light for a bright space. Straight, L-shaped and U-shaped staircases are classic designs that suit a multitude of spaces, often with the ability to incorporate extra storage