Three special staircase ideas made in metal, wood and stone

18 September 2024

Modern staircases, especially interior stair design, are conceived, designed and built to redefine the surrounding environment and enhance its style. There is no longer any doubt that modern staircase design ideas mainly – but the modern outdoor staircase ideas are certainly not less – the staircase easily exceeds the functional objective of simple connection between different levels of the same building.

Not only do modern types of staircase become a piece of furniture that enriches the overall style of spaces with personality, but they can even become a modern masterpiece of manufacture and design; all this can be achieved with a careful preliminary study, which concerns the design of modern stairs for interiors as independent installations, but also and above all with an ad hoc analysis relating to spaces, measures, style of the place of insertion of them.

So if personalization is the ratio always and in any case in the staircase design especially, we see characteristics, benefits and/or limits of some materials, among which you could imagine to make your internal or external staircase: metal, wood and natural stone. Modern iron and wood stairs for contemporary interiors but also classic, interior stair design ideas designed to be minimal or monumental stone modern interior staircase designs… but also modern iron exterior stairs for commercial buildings or exterior stairs for modern villas or a beach house: how wide is the choice and how many are the opportunities of use!

Metal: modern iron stair design, spiral staircase and open stair, for interior and for outdoor use

In the most contemporary design trends, modern iron stairs are very popular and not only in industrial style. If the current trend is to minimize the non-essential to the benefit of expanded spaces (at least perceived) and bright the ideal is a spiral staircase or helical.

But among the internal staircase design ideas it is possible to opt for open structures, with different geometries, U or Z shaped staircase types, curved staircase variants, customized staircase ideas (and stair railing ideas obviously) ecc; iron and steel can also be used as a structural element to be clad. However modern iron staircase design ideas for interiors bring some benefits, not only aesthetic:

• the metal has from its extreme strength and durability (both iron and steel), able to withstand considerable weights without deforming in any way;
• modern internal stairs (curved staircase projects, saving space spiral stair installations, cantilevered staircase design ideas) made of iron are easy to make, as they are extremely flexible material. It is possible to forge customized shapes and lines more easily than other raw materials;
• costs are kept more contained than other materials
• maintenance is reduced to a minimum, these types of internal stairs and stair railing ideas,  are easy to clean and maintain perfect over time

The same applies to modern external iron and stainless steel staircases, especially helical or spiral staircase design ideas. In this case, measures such as hot-dip galvanizing will be taken to protect the metal from external weathering which could otherwise cause the structures to rust.

Modern iron interior stairs enjoy the ability of this material to blend with any color and any line, stunning on straight elements but also on curvilinear elements; the finishes are many to choose from, paints, natural but also oxidation games created on purpose.

Steel, besides having a very high resistance, is very light and easily workable, so versatile for different uses within the same internal staircase. In general, the use of metal as a structural element of modern stairs is really appropriate for some staircase design ideas which become a focal point in a modern interior, a modern living room or other spaces.

Wood: modern interior stair design in various essences and not only antique details!

Wood is a natural element with countless uses, since man has the ability to take advantage of it; the quantity of different essences available in nature for physical characteristics as well as for color scheme, makes it suitable for the most varied uses.

Internal wooden staircase design ideas (and also for outdoor use with the right precautions to protect against the weather) are no exception and are still among the most popular options for individuals, architects or interior designers.

The material should not confuse us: modern wooden stairs do not necessarily have to recall something rustic or rough, the newest designs and special combinations give the wood personality, elegance and above all a sense of contemporaneity.

Modern wooden staircase design ideas, with a more minimal style, with a straight cantilevered or sinuous configuration in spiral staircase projects or curved staircase ideas, maintain the authenticity that characterizes the material, warm and strong.

Combined with extremely different materials, such as metal or glass, it gives the best of itself combining a certain sense of tradition with modernity and innovation, and exalting heat and energy.

Let’s see the other peculiarities that make perfect wooden stairs for interiors, wood railing  staircase designs, stair treads and decorating ideas.

• wood is resistant and durable; 
• flexible, versatile and easily workable, consequently customizable
• requires minimal maintenance in terms of cleaning,
• emits a feeling of well-being, warmth, peace but also strength and solidity.

Italy has a long tradition in wood processing, and craftsmanship together with new skills and technical innovations can lead to great functional and aesthetic results, also in the interior design and therefore in the realization of modern interior exceptional staircase design ideas, stair railing ideas, decorating ideas in natural wood or painted wood.

Stone: modern marble stairs for all tastes

Especially used in the construction or coating of modern cantilever staircase design ideas, natural stone – marble and granite – rediscover a very different appeal from classic: in fact, the modern interior stone stair design ideas bring strong character to the environment that hosts them.

Not at all trivial and especially not at all bearers of a sense of ancient object, if well designed modern interior marble staircase ideas can become extremely contemporary; if your goal is to have a modern yet evocative installation of some luxury, natural stone and marbles would work best for your stair design.

The added value of this type of choice is tangible, whatever the type of stone chosen, both at an aesthetic level and also at an economic level. In fact, modern interior stone stairs enjoy some advantages:

• great resistance to shocks and scratches
• durability over the years
• the brightness is an absolute peculiarity of marble;
• easy customization because the variations of marble and granite are many, from warm or cold shades, more or less valuable;
• undoubtedly a marble staircase idea requires an initial economic investment, but it promises an even greater return on the value of your property

On the other hand a natural stone staircase design is simultaneously strong but delicate; in fact the natural veins of marble are the weak points of the stone where moisture can cause damage.

Therefore, the variety of marble chosen depending on the placement of your staircase will make a difference: certain types work best for modern interior stone stairs, and other variants will be suitable for outdoor stairs.

Suspended marble staircase design ideas, that take up small space, little space underneath as a horizontal footprint, make a great impression are popular with interior designers in modern and luxurious projects. By combining it with steel or lightening it with glass, you could make the marble really modern and undramatic compared to the old and solemn allure that normally carries with it. 

Ideas for internal stair design railings 

A staircase idea customized to specific design needs never disregards safety; the regulations on railings and balustrades are clear and allow climbing up and down an internal or external staircase in total safety. Once the regulations have been followed, the rest will be a choice of taste and style adhering to the general project. 

Whether we are talking about a cantilever straight stair, a winder staircase or a spiral staircase for a small space, a modern interior shaped staircase or modern exterior staircases that will enhance your outdoor space, railings are always essential and add interest to overall project.

If we focus on indoor stairs, of modern internal staircase railings there is really a wide choice, from the most minimal staircase design ideas of iron and steel, to the extra clear glass balustrade with total transparency effect and maximum flow of natural light or artificial light (also valid for a glass staircase). We can also opt for modern stair railing ideas, very creative and extremely decorative; materials can be the most different as steel and wrought iron or iron, glass, we could have wood railing or even in plastic materials, minimal lines but also imaginative and futuristic.

In the relationship of aesthetic balance that staircase design ideas especially play with the rest environments, even the railings do their part, by similarity or contrast, and are not an element to be underestimated, especially if the game is played on details. And if it is true that functionality and aesthetics must necessarily go hand in hand, well-designed details make a huge difference in an interior design project.                            

Discover new opportunities through some staircase design ideas by Officine Sandrini

If you are looking for the distinctive element to give a unique design touch to your spaces, some special staircase design ideas could be perfect for you: with their irresistible warmth and irrefutable functionality, these installations represent the essence of modern elegance.

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