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Staircases for smaller spaces

  • Staircases for smaller spaces

Staircases for smaller spaces

Many homes nowadays are smaller than they used to be. But no house is too small for stairs. You might just need to think outside of the box to maximise your space.

While a small home may not have enough space for a traditional staircase, that doesn't mean that you must compromise on style or functionality.

When you live in smaller spaces, you get used to using every nook and cranny possible. Here we take you through some of the things you should consider when planning for a staircase in a smaller space.

Spiral or swirling

Spiral staircases aren’t new. But they’ve never really gone out of fashion. They’re always a popular choice for hotels and office buildings as architects look to wow people who enter. Now, they’re becoming increasingly used within homes as a space-saving technique.

Their compact size and stylish appearance make them perfect for smaller properties. They take up minimal floor space and can be designed to fit almost any shape or style of home. And they’ll definitely add a focal point for your home.

Open stairs

Removing risers from stairs allows more light to travel through your staircase, creating an impression of there being more space to your home. This method is a common choice for many homeowners who want to create a more modern look to their smaller space.

Thinner stairs

Slimmer, thinner stairs are a great option for people lacking the space for a more traditional staircase in their home. The good news is there is no minimum or maximum width when it comes to stairs, but most fall between 800mm and 900mm. The average is around 860mm, but you could go smaller if you need to for space reasons. You’ll obviously need enough room to step on to each individual step though – at least 220mm.

Staircases for smaller spaces

Staircases for smaller spaces

Hidden staircases

You could even partition your staircase off using a corridor or wall and hide it away behind a sliding door. Tucking them away like this could create a sense of mystery and surprise for your guests and could be perfect for those looking to bring a more clean-cut, minimalist vibe to their home. 

Use white or glass

One of the top tips for making your small space look bigger is to use white paint on your staircase and walls. The other is to use in glass in your staircase. The combinations will not only look slick, bright and airy, but will create the illusion that there is more space than there actually is.

Lofty ambitions

We’re a nation of DIY enthusiasts. Loft conversions give us access to much more untapped space within our home and can reportedly add 20% to the value of a home. But whether it’s a usable space or just there for storage, you’ll need to get to it. If it’s a permanent space, you’ll need a permanent solution, usually using a set of slim stairs. But more flexible spaces can utilise a pull-down ladder installed in the loft and tucked away behind the hatch. Find out more about loft conversions.

Create an extra floor

In any small house, it’s important to maximise the space in any way you can. You might be able to cut down on landing and hallway space, especially if they’re not used for anything. And naturally, with any staircase, there’ll usually be space underneath the stairs. This area is perfect to be used as clever storage space. For more innovative ideas, check out our blog about how to use the space under your staircase effectively.

Use space wisely

Whatever design you go for, you must keep within the regulations. You should always install a handrail on at least one side, but for any staircase wider than one metre, you’ll need a handrail on both sides. And any handrail also needs to be placed at a minimum height of 900mm. What’s more, your staircase should have a maximum pitch of 42 degrees and there must be a headroom of at least 2 metres to allow people to pass down the stairs normally.

Staircases for smaller spaces