Walk This Way: the best-designed staircases

In its simplest form, a staircase facilitates movement from one level to the next. But – as with most elements of a home – when given careful consideration, it can become a design statement in its own right. Whether in its shape or the materials used, a staircase can be as beautiful as it is practical and set the tone for a space. Here, we’re sharing some of our favourite examples of thoughtfully designed staircases – from an oak number in Notting Hill that spans five floors, to a contemporary steel and plywood design in a Norfolk barn.

Hackney, Matlock, Derbyshire

In this 1960s house by architect John Humpston, a wooden spiral staircase ties in beautifully with a thoughtful palette of mid-century materials, including whitewashed brickwork, quarry tiles and pine cladding overhead. Set within a circular brickwork stairwell, the staircase snakes up from the garage to a large open-plan living and dining area on the ground floor, and then to the four bedrooms upstairs on the first floor. 

Horbury Crescent, London W11

The impressive oak staircase in this Notting Hill house is the linchpin of the space. Spiralling five floors, the staircase seamlessly curves up through the house, forming a pleasing contrast with the rough white render of its outer shell. An added bonus comes at the apex, where a James Turrell-esque glazed ellipse draws natural light into the space, filtering it down throughout the house. Recessed lighting is provided at various intervals along the staircase through subtle brass inlays, which tie in well with the oak and render walls. 

Housden House, South Hill Park, London NW3

Designed by architect Brian Housden, this iconic brutalist house in north London features a zig-zag of staircases made from raw concrete, a material that is also used for the ceilings and walls. One staircase, which leads from the ground floor to the basement, is lined with the same blue tiles used in the basement’s open-plan living area and contrasts with a pink-toned marble handrail. Inspired by the likes of Le Corbusier and Frank Lloyd Wright, the Grade II-listed house has been described by Historic England as “a completely unique piece of architectural vision and ingenuity.”

Lower Dowdeswell, Gloucestershire

A reconditioned stone staircase ascends two floors in this meticulously restored former monk’s presbytery in Gloucestershire. Forming an elegant spiral, the staircase is wonderfully sympathetic to the stone exterior of the 16th century building, as well as with the stone used for the interior walls, fireplaces and window surrounds. A small window provides the staircase with light, preventing the space from feeling gloomy.

Greenways, Coombe Park, London KT2

Cocooned in its very own cast-concrete drum, the staircase in this new-build is just as original and sculptural as the house itself. Extending over three floors, the drum emulates the shape of the house, which was designed by architect Nick Eldridge and was the recipient of RIBA’s coveted Manser Award in 2017. The drum is lit from overhead by a circular rooflight, while the stairs are made from oak, which contrasts with the texture of the bare concrete. 

Bacon Street II, London E2

A steep ladder-like staircase provides access from a basement living area to a mezzanine bedroom in this remarkable contemporary house in Shoreditch. It’s accompanied by wire balustrades, which give it a sculptural quality and also double as useful handholds for those ascending and descending. Materially, the staircase ties in well with the building, which was built from reinforced concrete and galvanised steel panels.

Garden Wall House, Sandbrook Road, London N16

In this Stoke Newington new-build, a concrete staircase leads to the heart of the house – the large open-plan kitchen, living and dining area on the lower-ground floor. The staircase is bordered by a black metal bannister on one side and contemporary stained-oak spindles on the other, which extend to ceiling height and echo the timber cladding on the wall in the secluded rear courtyard. At the top of the house, a linear skylight above the stairs brings natural light into the space.

Photographer Jonathan Root’s converted factory in Camden

When photographer Jonathan Root bought this converted piano factory, it had a ladder for a staircase – a far cry from the playful yellow number that takes centre stage today. “The staircase is an upcycled industrial one that I painted myself over the summer,” Jonathan told us when we visited as part of our ‘My Modern House’ series. “It’s had 10 coats of paint and it’s still not quite finished, at least to me. I blame modern paint: they’ve removed all the lead and chemicals – it’s like water!”

The Long Barn, Tibenham, Norfolk

Seemingly floating, this steel and plywood staircase was custom-made for this contemporary barn conversion in Norfolk. Assembled by local craftspeople, the entire ground floor is configured around the staircase, which also incorporates a bridge that provides access to a vast open-plan living area on the first floor. As with the rest of the building, which has been overhauled by Studio Gray, the minimal staircase quietly reflects the space’s former life as a steel-framed agricultural barn.

Martello Tower Y, Bawdsey, Suffolk

The staircase in this converted 19th century Martello Tower in Suffolk is perfectly in tune with what has been described by The Guardian as “one of the most original and soul-stirring modern homes in Britain.” Wrapping around a large central brick column, the staircase follows the circular form of the building, with a semi-circular balustrade providing a focal point on the first floor, as well as views onto the floor below. A wooden bannister tops the staircase, complementing the earthy palette of brick and wood found throughout.

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