A staircase can be the focal point of any room, which is why they feature so prominently anywhere that a grand entrance is required. While the architectural elements of the banisters and railings, whether they be of wood, glass, or wrought iron, draw the eye, the actual staircase treads, risers, and stringers are just as vital to the design.

Wood can be just the thing to make a statement, whether it’s used on its own or with other materials, such as wrought iron or glass. The following guide can help you choose the right wood to make your statement.

 

Design Goal: Quiet Sophistication

The sophisticated staircase fits well into the idea of the grand entry. Whether it’s a highlight in a hotel lobby or the sight to greet your guests in your home’s entryway, this staircase provides a traditional view. The wooden treads are sometimes left bare, but are often covered in plush carpeting to help cushion footfalls.

Wood options

For the sophisticated staircase, there are a few options that really stand out:

  • Carpet grade. Knotty pine is the least expensive wood option, but it is only suitable if you plan to have the treads and risers completely covered in carpet. You will need to choose a more attractive wood for the visible risers.
  • Mixed grade. A hardwood, poplar takes stain well due to its visually interesting grain pattern. This makes it a good choice if you plant to run a carpet runner down the stairs, which leaves some of the treads and risers visible.
  • Stain grade. The hardwoods, including cherry, oak, and maple, are too beautiful to be hidden beneath carpeting. These make an excellent choice for the visible stringers on a carpeted staircase, or as the treads and risers on an uncarpeted staircase. Combined with rich wood banisters and turned spindles, this can create the perfect staircase.

Depending on your budget and your preferences, choose the wood that works best for you.

Design Goal: Modern Minimalism

If you prefer a more modern minimalistic look, you may be afraid that wood will overpower the other design elements in your room. Fortunately, this isn’t true. Your goal with the staircase is to make it work as a complement to the spartan design aesthetic in the space. This means clean, bold lines and neutral colors.

Wood options

For the modern minimalist, wood is rarely used on its own. It is instead combined with other materials to create the right look. Try:

  • Floating stairs. A pale wood, such as ash, white oak, or teak, can be striking when placed on single wall-mounted riser to create the illusion of a floating staircase. Combine it with glass railings to complete the look.
  • Industrial chic. Simple wrought iron banisters with clean lines bring to mind the industrial era. Combine these with sturdy, block cut wood treads in a darker shade, such as sturdy oak, walnut, or maple. Concrete risers finish the look, providing clean lines with a hint of the industrial era.

Either of these styles could work for you.

Design Goal: Cozy Cottage

Sometimes a cozier look is preferred, whether it’s cottage in the woods or the clean, open-sky feeling one gets from a beach cottage. Combining stained wood with painted wood is the key to achieving the right look.

Wood Options

Cottage design is simple, yet not plain. Small details are what makes it stand apart from the rest. You could try:

  • Whitewashed stairs. Paint is a necessity for successful cottage design. This means you can use one of the less attractive hardwoods-beech or hickory, for example. Highlight each whitewashed tread with a deeply colored riser, such as a dark-stained mahogany (which, incidentally, works well in ocean-side properties because it resists warping). Combine with wrought-iron railings with some decorative designs.
  • Floral risers. Flowers are integral to country cottage designs. For this staircase, use oak or maple for a simple yet classy tread. The risers are best painted white, so you can opt for pine or another non-showpiece wood. Finish the look with wallpapered risers behind each step-a small cottage-style floral print is just the thing.

Don’t limit yourself to a single material when planning out your staircase. Whether you want traditional grandeur, modern clean lines, or a homey cottage feel, a mix of materials is key to creating a focal point from your stairs.

If you need help, contact an expert like Finelli Architectural Iron & Stairs. We’re more than happy to assist you.