The way we use space is becoming more important, not only because the population is increasing, but also because we are getting closer to each other. Today, more than 54% of people worldwide live in cities (UN figures), and this is expected to rise to 60% by 2030.
Clever storage and a bit of productive feng shui are good ideas, but one big area you may be underutilizing is stairs.
Stairs offer a lot of potential for; save space, make functional use of space or open space.
Fulfilling this opportunity for creativity, stairmaker Pear Stairs caters to individual needs, giving you their input on every aspect of your stairs.
space savers
An elegant and intuitive solution to the problem is to use space-saving stairs. These stairs take up half the space of regular stairs and offer easy access to cellars, basements and attics.
They can also be an alternative solution for those who are fed up with folding ladders.
While you may need to check local building codes to see if space savers are an available option, there are no other options that offer the stability of space savers in such a compact package.
An intuitive individual used them to bypass the restrictions that prevented them from increasing the floor size of a property. Space-saving stairs allowed them to use vertical space and reach a new mezzanine. You can read more about the project here: https://www.pearstairs.co.uk/casestudies/casestudy-352
In addition to being convenient, space savers are highly customizable. Like the many other stair styles on offer, you have a variety of materials and accessories to choose from.
To match your handy, space-saving stairs, you’ll want a handrail to go along with it and keep things compact.
This is where a rope handrail could come in for a sleek look, or potentially a well-fitted Mopstick handrail for a smoother finish.
Drawers
A more unusual, but very creative design that I have seen from time to time includes placing drawers in the stairwell. This allows your stairs to pull double duty, providing both access between floors and convenient storage space.
In this case study, the client had limited space to work in and only a short flight of stairs, but managed to maximize the utility of the drawer area: http://www.pearstairs.co.uk/casestudies/casestudy-131
Stair manufacturers like Pear Stairs are always happy to hear about new and creative stair designs, so don’t hesitate to give us a call if your needs are out of the box or if you just want to see what’s possible with your project.
Glass, open elevators and light
In addition to being functional, it’s also important that the space doesn’t feel cluttered. If our living rooms are too busy, we can feel overwhelmed and potentially claustrophobic. Fortunately, there are several stair design options that overcome this crowded feeling.
Incorporating glass into stairs with glass treads, risers or balustrades gives natural light a chance to flow into the room and make it feel spacious.
Glass is a versatile material in stair construction and offers a variety of aesthetics depending on how it is used.
Fully clear glass offers a clean, minimalist look, while semi-opaque glass adds an element of privacy to the product. For those looking to add a little flair, there are also color options that maintain a bright appearance and suit personal preference.
For more stair ideas, check out this collection of over 700 case studies on the Pear Stairs website (www.pearstairs.co.UK/casestudies) or use their design tool, Stair-Creator, and see what you can do.