Decorating stairs landing ideas


9 Best Staircase Landing Ideas for this Tricky Space

Staircase landings often represent somewhat of a tricky spot when it comes to interior design. They are often small enough to very easily clutter up with even the smallest pieces of furniture, but can also come in sizes big enough to feel empty if you don’t do anything with them.

Fortunately, there are no shortage of ideas for what to do with your landing, all you need is a little inspiration, which is exactly what I aim to provide here. So let’s get to it!

What is a Staircase Landing?

Before I get into what to do with your landing, let’s take a moment to clarify what a landing is. A staircase landing is an area of floor that can be at the bottom, top, or part way up a flight of stairs. In the case of a landing that is part way up the stairs, it may be to enable a smooth change of direction, such as 90 degrees to the side, or 180 degrees back on itself.

In the case of top landings, they will usually be the place from which many or all of the upstairs rooms are accessed, and there can often be quite a lot of void space there.

Staircase Landing Ideas

So, about those ideas. Below are nine of my top picks for how to fill that space at the top of your stairs. Of course, not all landings are the same, so you’ll need to disregard some of them as necessary. But even for some of the ideas that aren’t quite right for your landing, you should be able to find inspiration in there!

Gallery Wall

Gallery walls are perhaps one of the most common ideas for a landing, not to mention the rest of the staircase. On top of making the walls look less sparse, personal photos bring an undeniable element of yourself into the space. As far as the interior design goes, a gallery wall is very inexpensive to achieve.

You can repurpose old photo frames if needed, or even get creative and make your own. Of course, you don’t have to use family photos. Your favorite posters or artwork will look just as good up there.

Timber trails development

Small Reading Nook

One of the great things about reading is that it is an activity that takes very little space. Your mind may be off in fantastic and exotic places, but your body needs little more than a comfortable chair. If you have enough space on your staircase landing for a small bookcase and the aforementioned comfy chair, you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not turning it into a cozy little reading nook. If you can position your chair (or small sofa, for that matter) so that it gets plenty of sunlight, even better!

Jamie Keskin Design

How beautiful is that hanging chair?

Built-in Bookshelves

Perhaps you don’t have space on your landing for a full bookcase and chair to sit and read away those lazy Sunday afternoons, but you still like to read and those books need a home! Landings typically have a lot of wall real estate going free, so it’s a good bet you’ll be able to find a suitable spot to put up a few shelves to rehome your beloved books.

Digs design company

Window Seat

Landings are often home to a window of some kind, and for those of you lucky enough to have a nice, large window on your landing, the possibility of a window seat beckons. Window seats give you a great space to sit and enjoy the world beyond your windows, and can be built to incorporate storage for a little extra utility. You can even combine your window seat with the reading nook idea.

Chango & co.

Office Space

This one may seem a little out there at first, but bear with me. You don’t need a massive amount of space to set up a small office. Really all you need is enough space for a chair and a surface to put your laptop, computer, notepad, or sketchpad on. Anyone who has worked from home for long enough will understand the benefits of separating their work and home life, but not everyone has the space for a dedicated home office. Landing to the rescue!

RTG designs

Den

Unlike the landing office space, this one does require a pretty substantial landing, but if there is plenty of space at the top of your stairs, you might consider turning it into a comfortable space to relax. You can think of this option as the reading nook writ large, and with more than just books.

Console Table

For those of us with smaller landings who like the den idea, you can get something close with a nice console table. You might not be able to kick back and relax at a console table, but you can store things there and liven up the space with some nice pictures and ornaments. If there is space, you could even include a small chair or stool and turn your console table into a spot for working at.

Geoff chick

Fireplace

I’m getting into big landing territory here, but if you have space for a bit of furniture on your landing, you might consider having a luxurious fireplace fitted, giving you a nice space to relax in.

You may not be able to (or want to) turn your landing into a space that you actively use, but that doesn’t mean that space has to go to waste. An armoire will allow you to turn some of that space into useful storage, and look great while it does so.

There is no shortage of creative designs you can incorporate into your landing and you may have noticed that many of the ideas I shared here today can be mixed and matched. In other words, it is possible to create something truly your own, that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Always remember to think about what you actually want from the space. There is no sense wasting your landing on a reading nook if you hardly ever read books! Most of all, be practical. If you have a small landing, don’t make it almost unusable by stuffing a huge desk in there. 

Happy curating!

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Landing ideas – design inspiration for staircase landings |

It can be all too easy to leave landing ideas out of interior design plans for a home. A landing at the top of the staircase can end up empty with the focus put only on the bedrooms beyond, and those landings found part way up the staircase can be felt to be too small to consider.

Yet landings offer plenty of potential for hallway ideas and decor that makes them stylish and individual rather than bland areas you merely pass through. They can be elegant, individual, and even useful, too.

Here, we bring you stair landing ideas and expert advice to inspire whatever the proportions of yours.

Landing ideas

The walls and floor offer the opportunity to transform a landing into a space with presence, while the right furniture can turn it into a peaceful spot for reading or relaxing. These stair landing ideas are a great place to start your remodel.

1. Introduce seating to your landing ideas list

(Image credit: Kara Adam Interiors Photograph: Michael Hunter)

Selecting seating for a landing transforms it into more than merely a circulation space.

‘When addressing landing ideas, I always try to add seating. It draws attention to that space and creates a moment,’ says Kara Adam of Kara Adam Interiors .

For a narrow landing like this one, a single shapely side chair in dark wood stands out against the light colored wall at its end.

2. Make the landing a book nook

(Image credit: Unique Homestays)

Bibliophiles adore landing ideas that make space for more of their volumes, and this design accommodates books from floor to ceiling on built-in shelving. Grouping them in color blocks makes the collection decoratively appealing, too, with the darker shades anchoring at the base of the shelving and the hues growing lighter towards the top.

A desk and chair with a natural motif complete the pretty reading spot.

3. Be aware of scale

(Image credit: Studio Ten 25 Photograph: Emily Hart)

An awareness of proportions is key to successful landing decorating ideas. ‘Since stair landings come in all sizes, it is important to visually fill the space without it looking cluttered or misusing pieces that are the incorrect scale,’ says Abbe Fenimore, founder and principal designer of Studio Ten 25 . 

‘Adding a single bench or two smaller ottomans on a stair landing is a great way to bring in a fun pattern and bit of color without overwhelming the small space.’

Plus these can be chosen to layer extra color and texture into your staircase ideas.

4. Let the architecture shine

(Image credit: Jonathan Bond/ Future)

For a landing the enjoys impressive architectural features as this one does, follow the example of keeping the focus on them by selecting understated landing decor.  

Here, a pair of wood chairs reflect the shape of the staircase railing ideas and continue the shades of wood beams and the floor, while the walls are kept as a quiet backdrop in white. Even the picture frames and the images inside are tonal to add interest without competing with the home’s impressive structure.

5. Enjoy softness underfoot

(Image credit: Alternative Flooring)

Staircase runner ideas can make a narrow landing a more luxurious part of the home.

'Runners add style to landings while giving comfort to harder floors and cushion the noise of footfall,’ says Lorna Haigh, creative director of Alternative Flooring . 

‘Natural fibers such as jute and sisal are hardwearing and jute in particular is surprisingly soft underfoot. Each has unrivalled texture and enlivens an in-between space like a landing.’

6. Create light and views

(Image credit: Ulster)

If you’re looking for landing ideas for a modern home, consider opting for clear glass balustrades that can allow spectacular views down through your space and make the landing a lighter and brighter area, too. You can choose from balustrades made with structural glass, which is load bearing, and those made with balusters plus a glass infill as part of your landing design. 

In this home, the landing views are all round with floor-to-ceiling glazing to the exterior giving it a wonderful outlook.

7. Bring pattern to the floor

(Image credit: Roger Oates)

Don‘t neglect the decorative possibilities offered by staircase carpet ideas on a landing. The right flooring can elevate a space even if there’s little room for furniture. 

‘We often say stairs can be overlooked, and landings are too,’ says Andy Guard, creative director of Roger Oates Design . ‘But there are many options to turn a landing into a space of its own. Beyond matching a landing area to stairs, you can use a co-ordinating pattern, or be bolder by mixing contrasting colors or even designs.’

For this stairway the latter option has been taken and striped flatweave design Vernon has been joined by hand to create a wall-to-wall floor covering for the landing, complementing a Pelham stair runner.

8. Choose novel wall decor

(Image credit: Future/Robert Sanderson)

Consider choosing wall decor that’s out of the ordinary if you’re looking for landing ideas to give the space personality. 

Designer Kate Forman found a decorative costume to display on the landing of this country home and combined it with a selection of other patterns on the bench seat and pillow, the lampshade, and the rug. 

Together, these elements make a colorful and lively impression that echoes the vibrancy of the rest of the home.

9. Exploit a recess

(Image credit: Katie Davis Design Photograph: Melissa Fitzgerald West)

A curved stair can create a nook that will benefit from decorative attention in just the same way as a landing.

‘Though not technically a stair landing, we always try to fill the cavity created by the staircase spiral,’ says Katie Davis of Katie Davis Design . ‘In this spot, we chose an antique Dutch table to add character and interest. It is near the front door, so a catch-all dish for keys and photos of family is nice as visitors enter the home.’

10. Make the landing a calm space

(Image credit: Future)

Looking for landing ideas that will create calm in a busy family home? Channel the power of gray to create a relaxing pause between the more hectic areas of the home. Layer shades of gray for flooring and walls, and combine with white millwork for crisp contrast and to brighten a windowless landing.

Here the natural texture of the basket along with botanical artwork add to the calm ambience.

How can I decorate my landing?

To decorate a landing, consider the floor first. Rather than plain carpet a patterned or textured version can bring interest to it. Alternatively, a runner can dress up a narrow landing while an area rug can be layered on to hard wood flooring.

For the walls, consider gallery wall ideas – a collection of artworks or photographs, a single large image to draw the eye, or use wall-hung sculpture or wall hangings.

For larger spaces, adding a console table creates a place for decorative accessories.  

What can you do with a landing space?

All but the smallest landings can be useful as well as beautiful. Consider setting up a reading nook with built-in bookshelves and an armchair, or by building in a bench. Site it under a landing window and it’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the view. Generous landing? Fit seating to turn it into an extra den.

A landing could alternatively be the most useful of small home office ideas, accommodating a desk and chair and separating the working area from the parts of the home where you spend downtime.

A landing can also create additional storage space. Use a stylish armoire as a home for the bedroom’s linens, or any other closet overspill – with the contents concealed they won’t disrupt the lines of the space.

Landing design in a private house

Contents

some of its aspects.

One of them is the issue of staircase design, because today it is rare that a country house does not have one. And of course, this staircase should correspond to the modern style, that is, the Art Nouveau style.

So, let's consider what a staircase should be in a house with an interior in modern style, because, as you know, everything in the house should be subordinated to a single chosen style.

Types and design features of stairs

First of all, let's get acquainted with the types of stairs, their design features, because this information will be needed when designing your home. Its layout and, of course, your taste will influence the choice of staircase design. There are the following types of internal stairs:

Used in fairly large houses, where the area allows you to calmly position the stairs.

This type of stairs is divided into one-flight and two-flight construction. The first design does not require clarification, and according to the second one, we can say that in this case the staircase is located at an angle, along the two walls that form this angle.

Two-flight staircase has two types of transition between flights:

Perfectly fit into the interior of small areas, as their design does not take up a serious area in the room. For a spiral staircase, 1-1.5 square meters is enough.

But this view, despite the originality of its execution, is still not so convenient to use: usually their width does not allow bulky objects, such as furniture, to be lifted to the second floor, and walking on it requires some skill, especially when moving quickly .

And yet, spiral staircases will allow you to make the interior bold and original.

Art Nouveau Staircase Design

Now, since you want to have a Art Nouveau house, let's take a look at how a staircase in this style differs from stairs in other styles.

Let's note right away that Art Nouveau style stairs are distinguished, first of all, by their concise, strictly geometric shapes and minimalism in decor. By and large, almost the entire decor of the stairs lies in the originality of its design and the materials used. Of the materials, wood and metal are most often used, extremely rarely, stone. The tree is used strong species, as the stairs must be durable and wear-resistant. A wooden staircase gives warmth to the room, for which wood is preferred when choosing a material.

A metal staircase does not fit into any interior, but modern is a style for it, since some coldness of its interior will be perfectly combined with metal staircase structures. But this type is not as popular as wood: you must admit that walking on cold metal is not the best feeling.

As mentioned above that, as such, the design of style stairs lies in their design, and one of the most popular design elements is the railing.

Railings can be made of wood, metal and even glass, but in Art Nouveau style railings are often made of metal.

Sometimes a staircase does not have a railing, which gives it a special charm, although not entirely safe - the absence of a railing can cause dizziness in elderly or people with hypertension. In this case, even a stair railing made of glass will not get rid of trouble.

If the landing has free space for a coffee table or bedside table, then this is a chance to showcase some Art Nouveau item. It can be anything, even an ordinary chair, but always with a high back.

An art nouveau painting or wall painting would be an excellent decor option.

Despite the fact that Art Nouveau is to some extent an ascetic style, the presence of plants in the house will be an excellent decoration. A staircase with fresh flowers is just what will decorate your country house.

When designing your country house, keep in mind that a staircase located near a large high window will create a feeling of rapid vertical movement, which will give your interior a lot of positive qualities.

Art Nouveau balusters play the same role as in other styles - supporting the handrails of the stairs and ensuring the safety of movement on it. However, their appearance in this style is completely different: the design of the balusters does not have intricate forged or wooden elements.

Balusters strictly adhere to the concept of Art Nouveau style - simplicity, rigor of geometric lines, minimal decor. Baluster shapes are varied. They may look like simple metal or wood uprights, and the frequency of their installation may vary. A similar feeling is evoked by the staircase, which has steel suspensions (strings) made of stainless steel that support the steps. The suspended staircase is an original design, giving you the impression of its lightness and airiness.

In this design, the strings perform both the functions of decor and the enclosing element of the stairs. In addition, strings can be used to mount handrails.

Types of stair railings in Art Nouveau style

Stair railings in Art Nouveau style are simple and original at the same time. This can be accomplished by the frequent installation of balusters, which is used in many stair designs.

If you decide to minimize the number of balusters, then you will have to fill the gap between them with a fence, the design of which is quite diverse, but always conceptual in style.

In the case of a rare arrangement of balusters, metal strings or gratings stretched between balusters can serve as a fence.

This style is characterized by the use of glass as a flight of stairs. Walking on a ladder with such a fence causes a person who first steps on it to have some stiffness due to a sense of danger. Over time, these feelings disappear, being replaced by enthusiastic ones.

The glass railing is multifunctional: it can be used as a step hanger and as a baluster to support the stair railing. This option is three in one.

The fence can be made in the form of a solid partition made of chipboard or brick wall, which will simultaneously separate the flight of stairs from the room space. A good option is a wooden grate

Hangers can be used as a fence.

Stairs, as an object of increased injury risk, must have good lighting, otherwise injuries cannot be avoided. General lighting is used to provide the required illumination. It can be a chandelier or a suspension in the center of a flight of stairs, but more often it is spotlights built into the ceiling or walls.

Luminaires should be evenly spaced along the length of the stairs, paying particular attention to the beginning and end of the stairs. It's nice to have step lights on the stairs. Usually, LED lighting is made, which will help you not only to secure the movement of the stairs, but also save electricity at night.

The space under the stairs

The space under the stairs is the loss of usable area of ​​the house. But it can be wisely used.

Under the stairs, you can organize a workplace in the form of a small table or bedside table with a small lamp, which will be very useful for doing fleeting work. Here you can put furniture for rest, for storage. The library under the flight of stairs is the best use of this space.

When designing stairs, you should follow some advice from experts:

Staircase in the house is not just a device for climbing from one floor to another. The staircase with its platforms, marches, steps, railings and decor is a full member of the interior and should contribute to the surrounding space.

Landings between floors (or the only landing in a two-flight staircase) have some space on which, according to the rules of SNiP, one person should freely fit and be able to take a wide step. Why should this useful area disappear? In this article, we do not discuss interfloor areas in multi-apartment public buildings. We will talk about your favorite home that you want to decorate in a stylish and modern way.

Tip:

If you have just started laying stairs, consider the size of the platform. It makes sense to make it more than planned. Why? Answers below.

Five examples of great design

In the following examples, we will show you how you can decorate or even furnish your landing in an original and inexpensive way.

Your personal library

Reading requires good lighting. The best place for this activity is by the window. In this sense, the site can become an ideal library and reading room. In order to turn the site into a cozy corner that beckons to sit here with a book, you need a window. Look at the photo. Pay attention to the near-window sofa, it is also a low window sill. Tossing a couple of pillows on top of it will give you a romantic spot for thoughtful reading. And the library itself is right there, nearby, you just have to lend a hand. Built-in shelving - very narrow, only the width of a book, will accommodate your favorite prints. And at the same time decorate the flight of stairs. What could be nicer to contemplate while climbing the stairs than the spines of your favorite books and framed photographs! This is a great and functional design.

Photo gallery

As you walk up the stairs, you involuntarily glance up and you see a wonderful selection of photos of your family. The most joyful events froze in the frame of baguettes, selected with taste. And if someone in the family draws, you can arrange a “traveling exhibition” of works on the site.

Take responsibility for the selection of baguettes. If the site is small and the ceilings are low, do not take heavy and wide frames. They "steal" the space. But thin metal or wooden frames can make narrow spans more spacious.

Winter garden

Plants in the house - as if nature continues within your walls. If the site is adjacent to the window, the plants will feel very comfortable. You can put just one fairly large plant in a decorative vase, or you can “set up a garden” of small plants, but in this case it is better to trust the taste and skill of the designer. If there is no window, but you want flowers, place shade-tolerant plants on the site.

Luxurious delights

Look at the photo above. This is the design of a landing in a respectable private house. The span itself is made of valuable wood, and the platform is like a hall in the palace of a Roman patrician: stone bas-reliefs, marble floor, decorated walls and light pillars (light and music installation). Of course, the design of this interior can no longer be called just a platform, but nevertheless, this is it.

Frescoes and photo wallpapers

In the photo above, you can see the flight of stairs as if in some unusually attractive corner of the garden. Masonry, flowers, green growth, steps made of old stones and graceful arched railings - all this is so real that you want to step on these stone steps and climb them - but where? In fact, this great illusion is a masterfully executed mural in the style of a fresco. They are pasted on the wall along the span on both sides of the flight of stairs.

You can order any composition that matches the style of your home, and it will no longer be a simple staircase to the second floor, but a work of art, a transition to another reality.

Idea:

Wall murals depicting a window overlooking the sea, a garden, mountains or other beautiful terrain is a wonderful option for staircase decor, especially if the site is rather dark and small. To illuminate the window and give the illusion of sunlight, mount lights in the opposite wall and point them at the "window".

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We've shown you five creative ways to decorate your stairwells. Which one did you like better? Or maybe you have your own ideas for the design of the span? We will be glad if you share your knowledge.