Modern Floating Stairs: 10 Custom Design Ideas To Glam Up Your Home

by Pallabi Bose | February 11, 2024 | 8 mins read

Floating stairs ideas you’ll love

Add a touch of luxury to your home with the popular kid on the block. Our custom floating stair ideas are chic, eco-friendly & affordable.

Floating staircases are a stunning and elegant addition to any duplex home. Be it grand entry dual staircases to minimalist wood stairs, they are not just functional; they also elevate the beauty of your home. They offer a unique look, instantly transforming your space. 

This blog post will explore ten custom floating stair design ideas that can take your home to the next level. So whether you are looking for a dramatic statement piece or a more understated addition, choose the perfect design for your abode.

Types of Floating Staircases

Before we delve into the design ideas, you should familiarise yourself with the different types of staircases that can be made. The most common types include:

  • Straight Floating Staircase: This is the simplest, most straightforward, yet most elegant.
  • Spiral Floating Staircase: Spiral stairs curve around a central axis, creating a helical shape. They give the illusion of steps suspended in mid-air, with the central column or support hidden from view.
  • Curved Floating Staircase: Curved stairs have a smooth, flowing design with steps that follow a gentle curve.
  • Cantilever Staircase: Cantilevered stairs are designed with a structural support system that extends from the wall or a hidden beam rather than having traditional stringers or risers.
  • L-Shaped: L-shaped stairs consist of two straight flights that form a 90-degree angle, resembling the shape of the letter ‘L’.
  • U-Shaped Staircase: These stairs have two parallel flights forming a U-shape.
  • Stringer Staircase: Zigzag or switchback stairs are designed with multiple flights that change direction in a zigzag pattern.
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Each type offers its distinct charm and can be tailored to suit your specific design preferences and space requirements.

1. Grand Entry Rounded Dual Staircase

Make a grand statement with a dual floating staircase in your entryway. This design exudes elegance and creates a sense of luxury right from the moment your guests step foot into your home. This style of bifurcated staircase with black wrought iron balustrades add grandeur and sophistication to any home.

Rounded dual floating stairs design makes a grand statement in your entryway
Magnificent rounded bifurcated staircase

2. White Concrete Floating Stairs with Glass Railing

Consider white concrete stairs with a glass railing for a sleek and contemporary look. This design combines the beauty of minimalism with the transparency of glass, allowing light to flow freely and creating an open and airy atmosphere. This design is especially useful if you are short on space.

Ladder-style floating stair with glass railing for a sleek and contemporary look
Ladder-style floating stairs with glass rail

Also, check out Concrete Stairs Design For Small House

3. S-Shaped Floating Stairs with Marble Steps and Decorative Grill Railing

Add a touch of artistic flair to your home with S-shaped stairs. This design showcases the beauty of marble steps, creating a luxurious and glamorous look. Upping the style quotient is a decorative grill railing that adds a unique and intricate element to the overall design. It’s a great way to sneak in a reading nook under the staircase. And if you’re puzzled about where you can store your vast collection of books, then this space-maximising bookcase has so many hidden compartments.

Marble steps on s-shaped floating stairs enhance the artistic appeal of your home
Elegant S-shaped floating staircase for Indian homes

4. Grand Curved Staircase with Three Large Landing Windows

If you have the space, a grand curved staircase with large landing windows can become the centrepiece of your home. This design allows natural light to flood the space, creating a stunning visual effect. You can also create a sneaky lounging space under the staircase.

Curved floating stairs in India with large landing windows
Grand staircase with large arched windows

5. Minimalist Cantilever Floating Wood Stairs

These cantilever floating wood stairs are ideal for those who appreciate a clean and minimalist aesthetic space. With concealed supports, the steps appear to float effortlessly without any handrail, emphasising simplicity and elegance. This stunning staircase goes with the overall mid-century theme of the home.

Floating wood stairs bring a minimalist aesthetic to your space
Wooden cantilever staircase for a modern mid-century home
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6. Rustic Steel Stairs

Consider these cantilever-style steel floating stairs if you prefer a more industrial or rustic look. A metal beam supports the iron structure. The black metal staircase with steel handrail creates a striking pair, infusing the space with a contemporary yet rugged charm. With all the space below the staircase, it works for a spacious workstation with the large floor-to-ceiling window.

Add an industrial touch to your space with steel floating stairs
Industrial-style rustic metal staircase

7. L-Shaped Suspended Staircase

L-shaped suspended stairs offer a unique and visually captivating design. An L-shaped (also known as a dog-leg stair) is a straight staircase which is connected by a landing and changes direction with a 90° or 180° bend. This creates a great space for the TV unit. The staircase in the image below features wooden cantilever steps further supported by suspended metal wires. By utilising steel cables, the steps appear to hang in mid-air, creating an illusion of weightlessness and adding a touch of modernity to the home.

Suspended floating stairs with l-shape design are ideal for a modern modular home
Mesmerising L-shaped staircase for a modern modular home

8. Industrial Style Sawtooth Stairs for Den

The sawtooth staircase matches the vibe perfectly with an industrial-style den or man cave. This design incorporates steel steps resembling a sawtooth pattern and mesh railing. The result is a bold, edgy aesthetic that perfectly complements an industrial-themed space.

Zigzag floating stairs design with steel steps complements an industrial-themed space
Edgy industrial-style zigzag staircase

9. Affordable Mistral Curved Stairs with Steel Railings for Indian Living Rooms

For Indian living rooms, mistral curved stairs offer an affordable yet stylish option. The stairs in the image below have a gentle curve and sleek steel railings. It has added a contemporary touch to the living room, all while remaining within the budget.

Curved floating stair with steel railing offers an affordable yet stylish option for an Indian living room
Cost-effective and stylish mistral floating stairs

10. Drop-Dead Gorgeous Floating Wooden Spiral Staircase

For duplex homes with a modern and edgy vibe, this floating wooden staircase is the epitome of elegance. The central concrete railing doubles as the main support beam. The spiral design adds a touch of sophistication, while the dark wood steps create a sense of lightness and space.

Floating wooden spiral staircase brings a sophisticated touch to your space
Spiral floating stairs for modern, edgy duplex homes

As we’ve explored these ten custom floating stair design ideas, it’s evident that these architectural wonders can truly transform your living space into a work of art. Whether you prefer a minimalist aesthetic, industrial charm, or a grand and luxurious statement, a thought-out design can suit your style and space. 

If you’re inspired to incorporate these designs into your home, we invite you to book a free consultation with our in-house interior designers. They will guide you through the process, ensuring your vision becomes a reality. For more staircase design inspiration, do check out our blog section. Elevate your space with floating stairs and experience the harmonious blend of functionality and beauty!

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FAQ on Floating stairs

1. How do I choose the right type of railing or handrail for my floating stairs?

  • Match the railing style to your home’s style.
  • Size the railing to match the staircase.
  • Choose materials that fit your budget and style. It can be metal ropes or bars, concrete balustrades or wrought iron grills.
  • Make sure the handrail is sturdy and comfortable to grip.
  • An ideal railing should be 36 inches high.
  • The railing should be at least 1.5 inches in diameter.
  • Always take professional help for installing staircase railing.

2. What are some creative ways to incorporate lighting into my floating stairs design?

There are numerous ways to illuminate the staircase. But you can install these 7 types of lighting to make your staircase stunning.

  • Under step lighting
  • Handrail lighting
  • Riser lighting
  • LED glass tread lighting
  • Wall sconces
  • Backlighting
  • Colour-changing LED lights

3. Can floating stairs be used in a small space?

Unlike traditional staircases, this staircase can easily be built in compact homes as they do not require too much space. Plus, you can use the space below to build a home office, a bar, a lounging space, a reading nook, or even a hobby zone. Options are endless. Get your creative juices flowing!

4. What are the building codes or regulations that need to be followed when installing floating stairs?

A well-designed staircase should leave enough space under the landing to walk comfortably without bumping your head. Having at least 2.1 metres (around 7 feet) of headroom is recommended. You can have up to 14 steps in a row for a regular staircase.

If you’re considering this staircase, keep in mind that the width of each step should be between 4 and 7 inches. Additionally, the depth of each step should be a minimum of 11 inches to provide enough room for your feet. It’s also important to ensure that each step can support a weight of at least 136 KG for durability and safety.

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Pallabi bose content writer

Pallabi Bose

Pallabi Bose is a freelance content writer and comes with six years of experience at various media organisations. She has helped numerous organisations achieve prominence with her distinctive writing. Solo travelling is her oxygen, whereas cooking and home decor are her passions.

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