When You Need a New Staircase But Don't Have Much Space

A staircase is generally an imposing part of a home. It's difficult to miss, and it generally takes up a fair amount of space. If you're renovating your home and you want to maximise on space, what are some ways to accomplish this while still having an accessible, functional staircase?

1. Narrowing the Staircase

Simply narrowing the staircase might seem like the obvious solution when you want to maximise your available space. But a narrow staircase has its limits. Although it will be perfectly sufficient for getting people up and down the stairs, you need to consider the subsequent difficulty of moving furniture in and out of the upper level of your home. You don't want to have to hire an external furniture lift to hoist items via the second level windows each time something needs to be moved.

A slight narrowing of the staircase will be acceptable, and you should avoid a fill (solid barrier) balustrade. Opt for an open balustrade or one made from reinforced glass enclosed in a frame. You could even do away with the balustrade altogether to truly open the space up, relying on a handrail mounted to the wall.

2. Open Stairs

Of course, depending on where in your home the staircase is to be located, narrowing it might not be an option. Open stairs, comprised of a single metal unit (such as a spiral staircase) will be less obtrusive, allowing light between the individual stairs. You could also opt for an open, ribbon-style narrow staircase. This has a pronounced incline and is almost like a hybrid between a staircase and a ladder. Although it's perfectly functional, it might not be the best choice if anyone in your household has mobility issues. Again, such a design will make it difficult to move furniture in and out of the upper level of your home.

3. A Dual Purpose Staircase

When you need a solid staircase and cannot sacrifice width or incline for the sake of saving space, consider installing a dual purpose staircase. It will still take up a reasonable amount of physical space but it will increase the storage space of your home. The individual stairs can be storage drawers that slide back into their duty as stairs when they're closed. A staircase built alongside a wall can have an open bookcase built into its underside cavity. This underside space should not have doors added to create a wardrobe. Keep the newly-created storage space open, which in turn makes the room seem more open.

A staircase doesn't need to be as physically imposing as you might think, and it's possible to have a beautiful, functional staircase that doesn't take up all that much space. Contact contractors to learn more about your staircase options. 

Share