Top 12 Staircase Types & Styles For Home Extensions

From running up to grab a forgotten phone to descending gracefully for dinner, staircases are an essential part of our daily lives. Yet, when it’s time to plan a home extension or renovation, choosing the right types of staircases from the dozens of options can feel more than overwhelming. After all, a staircase isn’t just functional – it’s a focal point that shapes your home’s style and flow.

Are you renovating or extending – and you’re going up, up, up by adding a second storey to your home? Perhaps you plan on building a basement? It’s an exhilarating journey from start to finish filled with numerous design decisions – but one of the most exciting choices you’ll be making is choosing from the various types of staircases.

Why your staircase choice matters

Staircases are more than just a way to move between floors – they’re a significant architectural feature that influences your home’s overall flow, functionality, and aesthetic. When planning an extension or building project, there’s a lot to consider, such as:

• Space constraints: Do you have room for a large, sweeping staircase, or is a compact solution more practical?
• Design aesthetics: Are you aiming for a modern staircase design or something more classic?
• Functionality: Will the stairs primarily be for everyday use, or are they for occasional access, such as to a loft or storage area?
• Safety and regulations: Australian building codes are strict about staircase dimensions and safety features.
• Material choices: Wood, metal, glass, or concrete? Your material choice impacts durability, cost, and appearance.

With all of this in mind, let’s dive into the different types of staircases – and how each can complement your special home extension.

Types of staircase layouts

The type of staircase layout you choose directly effects the footprint of your staircase as well as the flow between floors. There’s one for every situation,  understanding the differences will help you decide which is best for your home or extension.

1. Straight staircases

The simplest and most common types of stairs – straight staircases – consist of a single, unbroken flight. They’re practical, cost-effective, and space-efficient, making them a popular choice for modern homes.

Best for: Minimalist designs or homes with linear layouts.

Considerations: Straight staircases can take up more horizontal space compared to other stair styles.

2. L-shaped staircases

Also known as quarter-turn stairs, L-shaped staircases include a 90-degree turn, either at a landing or spread over a curve. This design is ideal for creating separation between spaces or fitting into corners.

Best for: Homes where space efficiency and visual interest are priorities.

Considerations: They may require more construction complexity than straight stairs.

3. U-shaped staircases

U-shaped stairs, or half-turn stairs, feature two parallel flights connected by a landing. This design is highly functional and compact, making it a versatile option for various home layouts.

Best for: Extensions requiring a compact yet elegant staircase type.

Considerations: Can be slightly more expensive due to additional structural support requirements.

4. Floating Staircases

Floating staircases create the illusion that each step is hovering in mid-air – a minimalist and ultra-modern look. They feature treads mounted to the wall or  secured to a hidden support system, adding an element of surprise and wonder to your extension.

This modern staircase design creates an open, airy feel, perfect for contemporary extensions.

Best for: Sleek, minimalist homes.

Considerations: Often requires additional safety features like glass balustrades to meet regulations.

5. Spiral Staircases

It’s the classic stairs design that never goes out of style! Spiral staircases – usually metal or wood – are eye-popping space-savers that can fit into tight corners whilst providing a whimsical touch and a sculptural element.

Best for: Loft conversions, adding a second storey, small extensions, or bold, artistic homes.

Considerations: Not always practical for high-traffic areas or carrying large items.

6. Curved staircases

Unlike spiral stairs, curved staircases don’t form a complete circle but instead follow a gentle, flowing arc – a sure-fire centrepiece of any room. Their gentle arcs, providing broader steps, are both captivating and functional.

Best for: Homes looking to showcase types of grand staircases as a centrepiece.

Considerations: Higher cost due to complex design and construction.

7. Bifurcated staircases

This traditional design splits into two flights at a central landing, creating a dramatic, symmetrical appearance. Commonly seen in mansions, bifurcated stairs are among the most luxurious types of staircases in houses.

Best for: Large homes or projects aiming for grandeur.

Considerations: Requires significant space and investment.

Artistic ascent: Staircase Designs and Materials

Remember, the perfect staircase design isn’t just a functional matter of getting from one floor to another – although obviously, those steps need to all connect! But the modern staircase design you choose can be a true focal point of your home and extension, blending artistry with architecture and setting the tone for the entire space.

1. Steel frame

A sturdy steel frame combined with wooden or glass steps may sound run-of-the-mill, but the modern-industrial vibe seems to really work wonders in any setting. As durable as they are stylish, it’s always a bold statement.

2. Glass balustrade

These use clear glass as railings, providing an airy feel for small spaces with a touch of elegance and spaciousness.

3. Ribbon Staircase

As the name implies, these are designed to look like a ribbon gracefully and mesmerisingly spiralling upwards. They offer an avant-garde touch to interiors, with a flowing form that can connect multiple levels seamlessly.

4. Cantilevered

What does that mean? The word refers to a structural element that is supported at only one end, making the other appear to float. In staircase form, these structures appear as though they’re jutting out, providing a daring architectural feature and serving as a testament to modern engineering & design.

5. Zig-Zag plate

Made from folded plates, these super-cool staircases have a distinctive zig-zag profile, combining simplicity with contemporary style. Their geometric aesthetics can be further accentuated with matching lighting.

 

Final descent: What’s your favourite type of staircase?

Has our exclusive list lit up your creative juices and your appetite for a super-cool home extension? RFT Solutions is a one-of-a-kind group of Melbourne home extension designers who do it all: drafting and permits, evaluating extension builder quotes, and serving as your trusted partner for exceptional home extension results.

Looking for more inspiration? Checkout our home extensions in Camberwell, Hawthorn, Blackburn, Malvern and other Melbourne suburbs. Ready to ascend to the home extension heights of your dreams in style? Reach out to RFT Solutions today.