When you think of “design features” in your home, stairs aren’t always the first to come to mind. But when you combine a modern, floating staircase with a sleek, minimal railing system, you turn a basic feature into a statement piece. It’s like having a functional, modern art installation in your home.
To create the perfect floating staircase for your space, you should:
- Customize the stair treads
- Choose the ideal stringer system
- Install the perfect railing
At Viewrail, we can help design, produce, deliver, and install your perfect modern floating staircase. But we know that, sometimes, you need a little guidance and inspiration before you can get started.
Design Considerations
There are a few important aspects of your structure and space that you need to consider before you can design your dream staircase. Let’s take a look at what needs to be evaluated before the installation process can begin.
Stair Turns
Depending on location and design needs, a staircase can be straight, switchback, U-shaped, or include a 90-degree turn. A floating staircase can accommodate each of these designs, but it’s important to understand the path of the staircase before you make any other design decisions.
Style
Floating staircases are beautifully simple. They’re perfect for an open floor concept, minimal design, or adding a modern twist to a traditional space. To create the perfect floating staircase, there are a number of elements that you can customize to find your unique style.
Stringer Design
We offer two stringer options, each of which creates a distinctive look: FLIGHT and TERRACE. FLIGHT represents that distinct, modern, mono-stringer style everyone is looking for, and TERRACE lets you choose from single or dual stringer options, both of which are an engineering marvel. You also have the option to customize the finish to match your wood flooring, creating a seamless look and feel in your space.
Treads
Our treads come in different thicknesses with a wide range of wood and stain options, and they can even be pre-distressed for an immediately lived-in look. Stair treads also have optional features available, like grip strips, bracket covers, and endurance treads.
Handrail Style
Handrails are available in different profiles, finishes, and materials that ensure they will fit with the overall design of the floating staircase.
Installation Location
The type of floating staircase system that you choose depends primarily on the installation location within your space. Our staircases are ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications. You must also take into account the immediate surroundings and whether or not the staircase will be floating in the middle of a space or installed along a wall.
Code Compliance
Many regions have adopted the International Building Code created by the International Code Council, but it’s common for cities and local jurisdictions to have specific code requirements. Be sure to check all relevant building codes, or talk to a local expert, to ensure you’re meeting the requirements.
Materials
As you’re compiling floating staircase design ideas, consideration of materials is critical. We provide a wide array of options to choose from with each of our systems — you can choose from an extensive list of wood species and finishes, rod, cable, or glass railings, and a variety of handrail styles and materials.
It can be overwhelming to consider all the different elements of your floating staircase design. We suggest checking out these ideas for inspiration before you start.
5 Modern Floating Staircase Ideas
1. A Bold, Bright FLIGHT
As soon as you walk into the home, the floating stairs are the first thing you notice. Framed with a whitewashed wall as the backdrop, the stairs float effortlessly from the main entryway up to the second floor. From the deep chocolate finish on the LED under-lit, hickory treads to the continuous Onyx rod infill ascending upward, the system makes a statement.
2. A Modern Blend of Glass and Wood
Modern glass is the perfect complement to the natural warmth of wood. The glass railing adds safety and stability without compromising the open feel or line of sight throughout the space. This single stringer FLIGHT design keeps all of the attention focused on the beautiful wood treads and glass railing.
3. A Stunning Switchback
For tight spaces or a steep story change, a switchback is the perfect modern floating staircase idea. With a single stringer system, stair treads are supported as they rise, showcasing a sleek and minimal style.
4. An Exciting Contrast
With high ceilings and a tall, open feeling to the space, these homeowners wanted a modern stair system that could be custom made to match their space. This 90 degree FLIGHT configuration uses a powder coated Black mono-stringer with a hockey stick design which attaches to the wall. White oak thick treads finished in a clear-coat provide a light contrast to the dark tones of the stringer and Black Standoff Pins. Each tread has two Standoff Pins holding custom made, low iron glass panels. Metal cap rail sits on top of the glass panels, tying together the runs and providing a graspable surface.
5. Industrial Chic Meets Natural Warmth
Our TERRACE floating staircase adds a grounding touch of warmth to this industrial design. The stacked hardwood treads rise from the wood floor in a floating staircase with no visible fasteners. A glass railing furthers the perfect blend of industrial chic and natural warmth.
Viewrail’s Modern Floating Staircases
Modern floating staircases are the ultimate statement piece in any room. While defying gravity, these staircases rise above the standard, create added space, and enhance an open concept design to bring the ultimate “wow factor.”
The best part is that they won’t take forever to install. Your floating stairs will be custom-made and tailored to your space, and they can be installed in as little as one day by our expert team.
Contact the experts at Viewrail today, and we’ll take you from inspired to installed in no time!