Collection of unusual and creative staircase designs from around the world.
Floating Stairs
Creative “floating” stairs designed by Florence architect Guido Ciompi for The Gray Hotel in Milan, Italy. [link]
Skateboard Stairs
Creative stairs made from skateboard decks. [link]
Hanging Box Stairs
Creative inside-out hanging box stairs. [link]
Disappearing Stairs
With a press of a button–and some hydraulic pistons–this staircase folds up and disappears into the wall. [link]
Stairway Drawers
What a great way to utilize a generally overlooked space! Step and store in style, using each step as storage for a different item. [link]
Glass Staircase
Glass cantilever staircase with full height independent glass panel balustrade and wall mounted handrail. [link]
Longchamp Store Stairs
Creative stairs at the Longchamp Store in New York City. [link]
TAF Stairs
Creative stairs in a private residence in Stockholm designed by Gabriella Gustafson and Mattias Ståhlbom. [link]
Storage Stairs Ideas
No matter how much space you’ve got you probably need smart storing solutions. [link]
Convenient Stairs
Creative stairs that are designed to be easy to access by wheelchairs and prams. [link]
Suspended Staircase Bridge
Creative staircase bridge that covers a distance of 56 metres. [link]
Curvy Modern Marble Stairs
The stairs’ design was based on the idea of a ribbon and connects two floors of a 12th Street penthouse designed by Gabellini Sheppard Associates LLP in collaboration with Jay Smith. [link]
The Amazing Staircase
Levitate Architects came up with this ingenious solution to a book storage problem and created a loft-like bedroom nestled under the roof of the top-floor apartment. [link]
Clever Staircase Bookshelves
Three Czech designers have created an intelligent alternating tread staircase that doubles as bookshelves. [link]
Mika
I could really use some of those storage style staircases myself!
Nov 23rd, 2008
Mortal LIght
Although these designs are really innovative, I think the alternating steps can be a problem for the sleepy/uncoordinated/drunk.
Nov 23rd, 2008
dave
well maybe they shouldn’t get drunk
Nov 23rd, 2008
kayla
maybe they shouldn’t be sleepy or uncoordinated…yeah…that’ll teach ‘em
Nov 23rd, 2008
RJ Evans
Some fantastic examples of stair cases. I only had one thought tho - and this is already commented upon! What if you are drunk or incapacitated in some way?? I can envision some journeys to the local Emergency Room, no doubt about it!! :-)
Nov 23rd, 2008
Morgan
These are amazing! The blue-colored one that is both stairs and a wheelchair ramp, that is absolutely genius! It should be everywhere, it’s space efficient and very accessible. I really love the idea.
To Mortal Light: the “sleepy/uncoordinated/drunk” people have trouble on regular stairs too! I’ve seen drunk people have troubles on solid ground.
Nov 23rd, 2008
Ethan
The disappearing stairs are obviously fake. Or, at least, they are just a concept model, and not actually implemented in a full-size home or business.
The rest are pretty sweet, though.
Nov 23rd, 2008
TuTu
amazing…
Nov 23rd, 2008
sonicBoom
the four last ones are inspiring!
Nov 23rd, 2008
Farking Staircase
As a staircase designer, I’m really getting a kick out of these comments.
Nov 23rd, 2008
guy above me is stoop
@farking staircase: wtf? that job title is obviously ’shoped. no one EVAR had a job only to design staircases.
what a tard
Nov 23rd, 2008
boosh
Great designs, no doubt. Lots of people will die though.
Nov 23rd, 2008
Geriausias
wow, very creative stairs designs
Nov 23rd, 2008
Chris
It seems like the stairs that are also storage spaces would be very loud to walk down.
Nov 23rd, 2008
zdaazdazd
Morgan:
These are amazing! The blue-colored one that is both stairs and a wheelchair ramp, that is absolutely genius! It should be everywhere, it’s space efficient and very accessible. I really love the idea.
In front of the library in the neighbourhood where I live in Belgium, there are such stairs
Nov 23rd, 2008
April
I have seen drunk people try to fall off a floor. Same with super sleepy people. I think that if you owned a staircase like this, and you drank, maybe you would be smart enough to have a couch/blanket/pillow set up downstairs. Amazing concepts for staircases. I love The Amazing Staircase (second to the bottom) for an avid reader, this would be almost dreamlike for me.
Nov 23rd, 2008
Teri
I wish I had a second story. These are so inspiring. The glass stairs look a little intimidating though if you did slip, not much room for error. All the glass windows. Not so good for moving furniture upstairs. I love the storage stairs. Great for smaller homes.
Nov 23rd, 2008
Monica from Brazil
Really nice ideas! When I had a house, for sure that I’ll use some of this designs for stairs.
Very Good Website!
kisses :)
Nov 23rd, 2008
sh2master
“The glass stairs look a little intimidating though if you did slip, not much room for error. All the glass windows.”
I don’t think they would break, they look thick enough. But using heeled shoes or spilling some liquid on them could pose a large problem. Someone who doesn’t like the owners could just spray some WD-40 on th stairs if they’re really sadistic.
Nov 23rd, 2008
Woodside Whims
Ah, yet another use for WD-40. To ‘The Guy Above is Stoop’, The word in English is stupid. And if you were to look in some upscale architectural design publications you will find many advertisements for stairway designers. Big money in ‘odd’.
Nov 23rd, 2008
Connect with your Teens
Wow. Most of these I’d be petrified to climb, but they are all really cool looking.
Nov 23rd, 2008
davesworkout
Yeah i can see myself wiping out on these stairs when I first wake up in the morning all tired and eyes half shut.
Nov 23rd, 2008
Sillymom
Imagine falling down the glass stairs! Ouch
Nov 23rd, 2008
JW
Those alternating stairs wouldn’t pass building code here! what if there was a fire, people might try to escape and fall down the stairs, or firemen running up the stairs would have problems (with all the smoke etc). Might look cool, but not practicle. They would probably be OK on a yacht or ship.
Nov 23rd, 2008
Lolah
yeah, Im kinda guessing there’s a weight requirement for the floating stairs or maybe there should be…. but the stairway drawers and storage stairs are great
Nov 23rd, 2008
Bibliophile
@Woodside Whims
stoop: It’s a pun!
Definition: A small porch, platform, or staircase leading to the entrance of a house or building.
Nov 23rd, 2008
WJ
Haha yeah, because no accidents ever happen on yachts or ships.
*cough*
Nov 23rd, 2008
Regina Dunn
I want stairs like these! I particularly like the stair cases that double as storage spaces. My favorites are “The Amazing Staircase”, “Longchamp Store Stairs”, and the “Stairway Drawers”. The “Glass Staircase” and “TAF” stairs look cool but kinda scary.
Nov 23rd, 2008
Myona
Fantastic designs, I’m just worried about the lack of handrails in most of the staircases. I’m usually not sleepy or drunk, but I am naturally clumsy.
Nov 23rd, 2008
suz
I love the second one, the way the bench becomes one of the stairs. I would not want to be the furniture removal people on some of these stairs though!!
Nov 24th, 2008
sdf
except for the storage and bridge of course, these are really stupid ideas
Nov 24th, 2008
Skippy
Fantastic design and great looks. As an often wasted cripple I would need “hand rails” at least to climb most of the stairs shown. Also they’d be quicker for the descents.
Nov 24th, 2008
Danny
Those were awesome
Nov 24th, 2008
Jorge
Very cool, I love the floating stairs.
Nov 24th, 2008
TheoriginalCexe
Very interesting and inovative any thing to keep the creative juices flowing
Nov 24th, 2008
Laura
I LOVE the books storage one!!! That is the coolest idea!
Nov 24th, 2008
Dean
Wow great post and nice stairs!!!
Nov 24th, 2008
Michael Thomas
Sheesh…. some designers seem to have an endless fascination with these deathtraps. For starters staircases without handrails or guardrails, excessive open space between the risers and the like are not only hazardous designs, but are prohibited by the IRC and IBC
Designing stairs that can be safely traversed by actual human beings is a well understood process, anybody who would like to see how it’s really done can take a look here:
http://www.stairways.org/pdf/2006%20Stair%20IRC%20SCREEN.pdf
…IMO, real designers design for real human beings.
Michael Thomas
Paragon Property Services Inc.
Nov 24th, 2008
spiral
Real human beings enjoy looking at designs that excite and inspire. Excessive and unneccesary regulations usually result in a plain and boring designs that you’d really want to hide in a back corridor instead of displaying in the hallway or reception area.
You might aswell design a staircase wrapped in duvets with a big inflatable cushion at the bottom just incase anyone is ’sleepy or drunk’ if you are going to take the nanny state route!
I’m a staircase designer for a UK company who have been supplying staircases across the world for 40 years, all of which comply with building regulations, none of which are boring or lacklustre.
Check us out at http://www.spiralstairs.co.uk
Nov 24th, 2008
fluentblgr
nice stairs.
Nov 24th, 2008
Payperbiz
I find the floating stairs really exciting but I discourage it for households with kids.
Nov 25th, 2008
Joseph Smith
I’ve seen so many staircase pages on the web, mostly through SU. This has couple of new ones I haven’t seen before ;)
Nov 25th, 2008
kwatery Zakopane
Absolutely Fantastic! Thanx!
Nov 25th, 2008
rewinn
Whether or not they all pass code in every location is not really important; you have to generate 10 ideas that don’t work to get one that really works well.
I love most of these designs, but they have one issue in common: handrails.
What is it about handrails that appears to interfere with cool staircase design?
Nov 25th, 2008
Daniel
man this is great
Nov 25th, 2008
Hekko
Thoose green glass staircase rulez ;-)
Great art anyway
Regards
Nov 25th, 2008
Teri
@sh2master…. heh heh, yes that is a bit sadistic. Sounds like a great episode for CSI.
I was referring to someone hitting the windows on the side though. It’s made for beautiful people who don’t have kids. I just wouldn’t wear a skirt going up the glass stairs… or maybe that’s what the designer had in mind???
Nov 25th, 2008
chetos
i like skateboard steps!!!
its good
Nov 25th, 2008
krembo99.com
Nice collection of staircases designs..
Good Post.
Nov 26th, 2008
Tebbe
The brilliant use of space for the books is just genius.
Nov 26th, 2008
Seweryn
Good!
This is fantastic.
Nov 26th, 2008
ellagirl
In France, my hotel room had “Norman Stairs”, half stairs, tipped inward against the wall so they were easier to use. Each stair was placed for the left or right foot and easy to use. They were very steep, almost like climbing a ladder. But with loaded suitcase, I was still able to climb them easily.
Nov 27th, 2008
Timo
With the exception of the Longchamp Store design, not one of these appears to meet current US life safety building codes. Besides missing handrails, many lack guard rails, parallel edges, even surfaces, and slip-resistant surfaces. For home use, the lack of closed risers and handicapped-accessible nosings is ok in most places. The drawers in a stair riser are a trip nightmare waiting to happen. I think the Longchamp example shows that inventive design doesn’t have to be inherently dangerous. Personally, I hate using alternating tread stairs.
Nov 27th, 2008
Michael
Love the design but, I have little ones and could not ever live in a house with any of these stairs.
Nov 27th, 2008
gaston monescu
ok, this post is too cool
the suspension bridge with stairs is awesome
Nov 27th, 2008
mohan
I like the curvy modern marble..its attractive.Great collection.good post.
Nov 27th, 2008
Mike
I like the floating stairs behind the glass.
Design is key.
These stairways are truly inspiring and wonderfully modernistic.
Nov 27th, 2008
vkontakte
cool !
Nov 28th, 2008
aidan0105
i loved the glass one.. really cool!
Nov 28th, 2008
Arda
Amazing. Thanks.
Nov 28th, 2008
Lauren T.
Beautiful and interesting, but some are highly impracticle and possibly disastrous. For example, storing books beneath each step is clever, but what a pain if you’re trying to find a particular volume! And is storing fragile items in built-in compartments a good idea on a day when you’re in a hurry, and find yourself running - or stomping, by accident - upstairs? Shaking the entire structure?
Nov 28th, 2008
Rob L.
I get your point about the compartments. However, for the most part, why would you store fragile items there? I would mostly use them for shoes, maybe socks, and other things of that nature. Not fragile items. I’m also sure that it is build fairly well so that it would not break anything inside the drawers.
Also, the one with the wheel chair ramp and stairs combined is really ingenious. However, it looks bigger than just a staircase with a ramp on the side. So, that part seems kind of weird.
Really great designs overall though. I wish I had a few of those in my house.
Nov 28th, 2008
parikhit
the designs mirror the creative genius of the concerned architects. but, at the same time, doesn’t the same look risky with regard to having children at home.
Nov 29th, 2008
Widey
Levitateitects take top toes on this one. The alternating tread reveal slows down what is otherwise an ordinary movement. As for the infill, you guys should check out Ando’s bookshelf house. I’d love to have the resource to fill those shelves.
Nov 29th, 2008
Nestor
I especially like the ones that store books under the steps themselves, really neat idea. Others look rather unsafe & daunting to elderly people for example
Nov 30th, 2008
Jim Gaudet
Wow, a lot of comments! I really love these stairs. I hope to get a chance to try something like this.
Dec 1st, 2008
Qaiser Khalil
Mind boggling! Very creative! Hats off to all the designers/architects.
Dec 1st, 2008
Marc Williams
Cool stuff, will get my staircase ideas from you from now on!
Dec 1st, 2008
hanane
mahboool…crazy idies:-@
Dec 1st, 2008
gem phallor
Really creative solutions! Only public spaces really need to be designed to be navigated even by the generally wasted handicapped… My family grew up on wanky art stairs and they all survived… Let the light of innovation not be crushed by codes!
Dec 1st, 2008
Dreams
Wow, these give new meaning to stairs. Love how they are perfectly integrated into the settings.
Dec 1st, 2008
aaron
YO, I love it. As a designer and newbie to stumble upon , I am inspired. Thanks!
Dec 1st, 2008
metalheader
Sweeeeet…i want those skateboard stairs, except that I would actually use ones with graphics and griptape!
Dec 2nd, 2008
kay-elle
the stairs that double as a ramp could be replced with a ramp. Why pay extra to make them stares too its, a wate of money.
Dec 2nd, 2008
Jim Swindle
I recall as a teen in the early 1960’s being fascinated by the stairs up to the stage in our school auditorium. They were curved slabs cantilevered from the brick wall. I seem to recall that they were painted deep purple.
I think it’s the same building now known as Salina South Middle School in Salina, Kansas, USA. I don’t know whether the stairs are still there.
Dec 2nd, 2008
Brodie
I live in Vancouver BC where Arthur Erickson designed the staircase/ramp back in 1979.
Dec 3rd, 2008
Farked Up
As a sleepy, uncoordinated & drunk stair climber, I’m really getting a kick out of these comments.
Dec 3rd, 2008
K
Most of those terrify me… I’m a klutz >.<
BUT they are awesome, so that’s ok :D
Dec 3rd, 2008
bkd
These are some really cool ideas! Very inspiring. :)
I doubt many people would actually go through all of these comments, but i have a suggestion about the handrails part, which may have already been considered:
why not insert handrails in the wall? That’s what most houses with stairs have, isn’t it? so the handrails shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
I especially fancy curving staircases, with two sides joining in the middle or something. I would love to see something as creative as these with this design element in mind.
Dec 4th, 2008
Ryvenna
The stairs with the built in ramp are obviously not practical for mom’s with strollers or the handicapped. The way it twists and turns around is MUCH more effort than a simple straight ramp on the side of a staircase.
Dec 4th, 2008
Jill
My family had something like the storage staircase. We have a ‘hidden’ storage in the 2 steps that we have on entering our house. It is only in one(the bottom)step. and the top of the step flips up and you can put stuff in. Growing up it was always with gardening tools, like gloves and spades and stuff.
Dec 4th, 2008
Jehmehhh
i WANT TO WISH EVERYONE A HAPPY BIRTHDAY! these stairs are sick. someone under the influence of good times will really enjoy these stairs. be easy
Dec 4th, 2008
Jon - The DC Traveler
Some of these are amazing; others, I couldn’t dream of living with. I love the oak storage stairs.
Dec 4th, 2008
Petter
Wow! amazing stairs! Too bad you need a 2 story appartment or house to have them in.
Dec 10th, 2008
Cool
I’m floored by these images. Stunning, Fantastic, Cool, Speechless. A real breath of Fresh air.
Dec 17th, 2008
Marco Júnior
That’s amazing, where can I buy it???
hehe
Dec 22nd, 2008
jun peng
Please if we were to follow all the protocol or rules and regulations the designs would be boring and not out of the box…and rules are meant to be broken=)….i definitely love all the designs here way out of the box
Jan 2nd, 2009
Rana Sinha
Real cool stairways to heaven. So many fascinating ideas.
Jan 9th, 2009
Tracy
storage staircases…perfect!!!
Jan 11th, 2009
jaCkuLito
all looks cool….
i love to have the floating stairs…
being practical, having the amzing staircase would be the best for me……………
that is………………..
if i have my own house………….
T_T
Jan 29th, 2009
Bob Romijnders
It looks awesome!
Does anyone know what the stairs like these costs and where you can buy them? or are they custom made?
Looking forward to see a reply from someone!
- Bob
Feb 12th, 2009
Mya
I love that there is actually a specific job for designing staircases. ^_^ And I kinda think it’s funny that people are getting so worked up over this.
If you think the idea is stupid, no big deal. Don’t get those staircases in your home. Simple solution, right?
Personally, even if some of these idea are highly impractical and make me (a naturally clumsy person) a little nervous, they are none the less amazing, artistically genius designs.
Feb 17th, 2009
stoop sucks
a guy above me is stoop; U need a clue to look through this website and read the comments to try and mock someone when you can’t even spell EVER! The stairs are ART and creative designs, that makes it interesting, and not drinking, if no one should drink then this website would not probably exist, go back to church but when the wine comes around make sure you do not ingest it better than every one else.. btw.. great stairs.. a great link on the website would be creative hand rails..
Feb 23rd, 2009
Ti11
Incredible and oh so beautiful…I love the glass stairs and all the storage stairs. I can’t wait to buy a new home and see if someone will do these designs for me.
Feb 24th, 2009
sandhinugraha
soo creative … i like it much
Mar 5th, 2009
habiba
sooooooooooooooo creative
i really like it
Mar 6th, 2009
Altaf Suleman
The creativity is really amazing. I really admire the deep thinking of designer for space saving concepts with storage area and off course a unique design which will be no where else. Hats off to you people.
Mar 7th, 2009
Suicide Stairs
Are people crazy these days?! for the glass stairs and floating ones, you would have to be like 2 pounds to walk on them. The stairs are cool looking but not practical. Many, many people would be dead.
they do look cool…
Mar 23rd, 2009
Suicide Stairs
love the book stairs though…that would be AWESOME!
Mar 23rd, 2009
LAYLY
Some fantastic examples of stair cases. I only had one thought tho - and this is already commented upon! What if you are drunk or incapacitated in some way?? I can envision some journeys to the local Emergency Room, no doubt about it!! :-)
love the book stairs though…that would be AWESOME!!!!!
1ºst!!!
Apr 4th, 2009
rae
Stairs areawesome. i love the box stairs and all the ones that have some sort of storage incorporated into them.
Apr 14th, 2009
tyms
i like the idea of utilizining the stairs speacily for box… n i dnt drink so i loved it.
Apr 21st, 2009
Mz C
if someone wer using the drawers in the stairs and u wanted to walk down them wouldnt u have a problem
still great ideas though
Apr 22nd, 2009
Jar
I LOVED the CLEVER BookCase Stairs. I will do anything to get those.
Apr 29th, 2009
me
Suicide Stairs? I highly doubt an architect would design something that would cause death. In fact, I know for certain they wouldn’t.
May 9th, 2009
Camila
Very Good!!! ;D
May 22nd, 2009
dingle barry
that F-N crazy how they built those F-N stairs
May 27th, 2009
thibel
they’re all just so amazing!
Jun 7th, 2009
zobrina
incredible, there isn´t a better way to enjoy the space, let´s make a visit to our stairs!!!
Jun 24th, 2009