11 Beautiful Floating Staircase Designs That You’ll Fall in Love With

Stairs. You might not give them a lot of thought, but they’re among the most used parts of our homes. And while their main purpose is getting you from one floor to another, they also give you the chance to create an eye-catching feature.

If you’re thinking about remodelling your stairs, a beautiful floating staircase will bring the wow factor to your home. With a range of materials and options for balustrades and stair treads, you can achieve many different looks.

Whatever your design goals, floating stairs create a stunning design feature in any property, no matter what size your space is. They’re capable of opening up even the smallest entranceways and landings, allowing light to flow through and creating a sense of space.

We’ve collated 11 beautiful floating staircase designs and answered some of the most common questions. So sit back, relax, and enjoy dreaming about your next makeover.

1. Modern Minimalist

Master minimalist design with clean lines, white walls and a sleek, light wood floating staircase in your hallway. This beautiful design is simplistic, super clean and incredibly stylish. Against a fresh white backdrop, the stairs become the main feature.

Choose simple wood steps with open risers and minimalist balustrades to give your hallway a contemporary feel. Maximise the light in the space by pairing your new staircase with white walls and light flooring.

2. Wooden Slats

A floating staircase is a great way to add architectural detail to your home. Stylish wooden slats create visual interest and a sense of zones in an open-plan space – perfect if your staircase happens to be in your living room.

Complement wood stair treads with wooden slats in the same shade. Extend your slats from the floor up to ceiling height. Alternatively, you can position the slats on your steps and keep the area beneath your stairs free for extra storage.

3. Vertical Cabling

When designing a new staircase, it’s important to get the balustrades just right. Unlike traditional wooden balustrades, simplistic cabling will let your stairs be the main event. Sleek and modern, it’s perfect for these open wooden steps.

Vertical cabling up to ceiling level will give the illusion of height, enhancing the feeling of space in your hallway. And because it doesn’t obstruct your view through, it helps to make the area feel more open.

4. Staircase Trim

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This stunning marble staircase appears to float thanks to barely-there glass balustrades, giving the space an open and airy feel. Meanwhile, the polished stainless-steel trimming provides an elegant finish and draws the eye up the stairs.

Consider some show-stopping finishing touches when designing your floating staircase. For instance, highlighting your floating staircase with a stylish trim will ensure your stairs are the centre of attention in your home.

As well as this contemporary polished look, you could opt for a contrasting colour on the edge of your stairs to add a playful edge.

5. Small Hallway

A floating staircase is brilliant for opening up a small hallway. Here, the open treads let valuable natural light flow through the staircase and into the hall, providing a more open and airier feel.

If your hallway is on the small side, consider floating stairs with open treads to maximise your space. Adding step lights and glass balustrades to your stairs will help to make your hall feel even brighter.

6. Monochrome Chic

There’s something about monochrome décor that’s undeniably chic. Timeless and simplistic, it’s sure to make a big impression every time you walk in the door.

So, if you want a stylish floating staircase that will stand the test of time, choose black treads and minimalist balustrades. Paint your walls crisp white and keep your ground floor neutral – think polished concrete, or black or white tiles.

7. Light It Up

Layering light into architecture is a fantastic way to show off your home’s best features. This stunning floating staircase is turned into a real feature with the clever use of lighting, offering aesthetic appeal as well as practical advantages.

Illuminate your steps by installing low-level step lights along your staircase. You can position lighting on the wall or use strip lighting underneath each step instead. Choose warm white lamps to create a cosy and homely ambience come dusk.

8. Glass Balustrades

Searching for a simple but stylish floating staircase design? Instead of metal or wood, opt for glazed sides. Sleek glass railings will allow you to create an open and minimalist look without compromising on safety. Plus, they let the light flow through, ensuring your hallway feels bright and airy.

It’s good to remember that your glass panels should be a minimum of 1.1m high to comply with building regulation standards. You should also include a handrail to provide extra support when using the stairs.

9. Glass Staircase

A floating glass staircase may seem a bold design choice, but they’re increasingly popular as homeowners seek to create a feeling of light and space. Capable of brightening up any room, they certainly bring the wow factor.

For an ultra-modern minimalist look, choose glass treads and balustrades for your floating staircase. The clear glass will blend effortlessly with your home interior, resulting in a clean finish.

10. Colour Pop Stairs

You don’t have to stick to traditional materials or colours with your staircase. If you’re looking to make a design statement, why not go for something completely unexpected? This eclectic apartment offers a staircase with a difference. Here, the floating stairs are made from vibrant, lime-coloured acrylic, adding a sense of fun to the otherwise white décor.

If you already have open stairs in your home that need a revamp, rather than replace them, you could simply paint them a bold colour. Keep your walls white to prevent your space from looking busy.

11. Co-ordinate Your Décor

If you’ve decided to install floating stairs in an open-plan room, it’s important to get the design just right so that it seamlessly blends into your space. This beautiful open-plan living and dining area uses the same tones and materials throughout to create a cohesive look.

If you choose wood stair treads, include wood elsewhere in your room, too – such as with wooden tables, shelving or cabinetry. Likewise, if you’re opting for a floating staircase that has metal elements, choose some industrial-style lighting and seating to bring the look together.

Is a Floating Staircase Expensive?

A floating staircase won’t be the cheapest home project you’ll take on, but the cost varies hugely depending on the materials and features used. Depending on your preferences, it can cost anywhere between £15,000 and £80,000. Bear in mind that wood, metal or glass stair treads are less expensive than marble or stone.

Are Floating Stairs Safe?

As long as they are installed correctly, and building regulations are followed, floating stairs are safe. If you have open risers, the gap between the steps can’t be more than 100mm, meaning the space is too small for a child to get stuck or fall through. You should always have balustrades and handrails to ensure people have something to grip on to.

What Can You Put Under Floating Stairs?

Floating stairs allow you to add storage space to your home, such as stylish bookshelves or cabinets for shoes, outerwear and household items. But you could even use the space as a mini-office. Floating stairs can also provide you with a more open floor plan – allowing you to move around more freely.

How Are Floating Stairs Attached to the Wall?

There are several different ways to attach floating stairs to the wall. Each floating step can be inserted into a steel cantilever supporting frame. Alternatively, they may have threaded bolts which can be fixed directly to the wall. Some floating stairs are also designed to be attached to the wall with brackets.