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Top of stairs landing decorating 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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48 Upper Floor & Staircase Landing Ideas (Photos)

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I love landings, especially large ones where you get a “bonus” area for a sitting area, sitting nook, small office or a place to add some decorative furniture.

Browse landing design ideas below.

Related: Staircase Ideas | Staircases with Hardwood Flooring | Staircases with Tile Flooring | Staircases with Carpet Flooring | Types of Staircases

Landing Photos

The above is a clean, stylish landing with glass railing overlooking the main living space below in a townhouse designed by Taylor Smyth Architects.  See the entire house here.

See the above house plan here. It’s an example of a landing in a contemporary Victorian house.

While not large, the above is a great example of how design and decorate a top-notch landing. I love the chandelier, wall art and wood flooring.

I absolutely love this second floor landing which is a room unto itself with window reading nook, custom wall shelves and large aisles for navigating to one of 3 bedrooms on this floor. Source: Redfin. See more of this magnificent house.

This second floor landing features a hardwood flooring. Greeted by the gorgeous dining table set lighted by a pendant light and recessed lights, this landing look so beautiful.

Second floor landing featuring a carpet flooring. The staircase leads to the small home office.

This second floor landing has a stylish hardwood flooring that leads to the home’s hallway with a tiles flooring and a pendant lighting.

This second floor landing boasts a stylish tiles flooring. There’s a bar counter as well with a marble countertop.

This second floor landing looks gorgeous with its flooring and staircase lighted by classy wall lighting.

This second floor landing boasts a hardwood flooring topped by rugs. The hallways are lighted by recessed ceiling lights.

This second floor landing features a very elegant hardwood flooring leading to the home’s hallways lighted by pendant lighting.

This second floor landing boasts a carpet flooring spreading throughout the home. There are seats on the side. The hallways are lighted by recessed and wall lighting.

Second floor landing featuring a gorgeous hardwood flooring and railings. The hallway is lighted by charming wall lights.

Second floor landing featuring gray walls and a stylish wall decor. The hallway is lighted by recessed ceiling lights. The carpet flooring matches the home’s gray walls.

Second floor landing featuring a hardwood flooring. The staircase leads to the small home office area with a stylish wall decor lighted by recessed lights and a skylight.

This home offers a beautiful and smooth white flooring and staircase steps leading to the home’s second floor landing.

This home boasts a white walls and flooring along with glass doors and windows. The staircase leads to the home’s second floor landing lighted by recessed ceiling lights.

This home features a hardwood flooring topped by a classy rug on the second floor landing. The hallway is lighted by a skylight.

This home features a grand staircase lighted by a gorgeous chandelier. The staircase leads to the second floor landing featuring a hardwood flooring.

This home has a beautiful second floor landing featuring a hardwood flooring topped by a rug matching the chairs. The hallway leads to the home’s enchanting dining room lighted by glamorous chandelier.

This home features a high ceiling lighted by a glamorous chandelier. The staircase leads to the home’s second floor landing.

This home offers an elegant second floor landing. The staircase lighted by a beautiful chandelier leads to the home’s second floor hallways with a hardwood flooring.

Metropole Architects

Modern home featuring a stylish staircase leading to the home’s second floor landing with a beautiful marble tiles flooring.

Designed by: Hacin + Associates

This home features a gray flooring and white walls. The staircase with black steps are covered by gray rug. There’s an elegant wall decor on the second floor landing.

Designed by: Hacin + Associates

Contemporary home featuring a stylish staircase leading to the home’s second floor landing with gray tiles flooring.

Designed by: Modern Spring Valley Prairie Style Home Design

This home features a very stylish staircase with black steps leading to the home’s second floor landing.

Designed by: Baran Studio

This home boasts a high ceiling and a classy staircase. The white walls extend to the top meeting the hardwood shed ceiling.

Designed by: la SHED Architecture

This modern home features a classy second floor landing featuring a hardwood flooring and a hallway that leads straight to home’s small library.

Designed by: la SHED Architecture

This home features a hardwood staircase steps with white walls. This staircase leads to the home’s second floor landing.

Designed by: Grupo Arquitectura

Modern house featuring a very stylish walls and staircase that leads to the home’s second floor landing.

Designed by: Grupo Arquitectura

Contemporary wooden straight narrow staircase and landing with steel hand rail.

Designed by: Artigas Arquitectes

Modern home featuring gray walls and flooring. The staircase features hardwood steps that leads to the second floor landing.

Designed by: Ben Amzaleg

This home boasts a stunning staircase with gray walls and hardwood steps leading to the home’s second floor landing.

Designed by: A-cero

Modern house boasting white walls matching the gorgeous staircase’s railing leading to the home’s second floor landing.

Designed by: Aketuri Architektai

This home boasts a stylish staircase featuring white walls and railings along with hardwood steps lighted by a beautiful pendant lighting.

Designed by: Castanes Architects

This home features a glamorous second floor landing featuring hardwood floors and a stylish staircase.

Designed by: FORMstudio

This home features a classy walls and wall decor along with a staircase with glass railings leading to the home’s second floor landing.

Designed by: FORMstudio

This home’s second floor landing features a a hardwood flooring with glass railings leading to the home’s home office with floor-to-ceiling window.

Source: architecturaldesigns.com

This elegant home features a stylish staircase leading to the home’s second floor landing where the home office is located.

Baahouse+Baastudio

Classy staircase with walnut hardwood finished flooring with glass railings leading to the home’s second floor landing.

Designed by: Design Office of Deana Lewis Inc

This  home features a stylish staircase and a second floor landing featuring a hardwood flooring.

Source: Zillow DigsTM

This home’s second floor landing offers a bench seating with throw pillows near the gorgeous window.

Source: Zillow DigsTM

This second floor landing offers a Mediterranean style hallway.

Source: Zillow

This home boasts a second floor landing with stylish walls and hardwood flooring.

Source: Zillow Digs TM

This second floor landing features a walnut finished flooring, staircase railings and furniture lighted by a grand chandelier.

Source: Zillow Digs TM

This home offers a living room set on the second floor landing featuring a sparkling hardwood flooring.

Source: Zillow Digs TM

This elegant second floor landing boasts a marble tiles flooring, classy railings and a stunning chandelier.

Source: Zillow Digs TM

This second floor landing is just jaw-dropping with its classy railings and flooring along with its lighting.

See our types of staircases diagrams and parts of a staircase diagram for more staircase details.

What is a landing?

A landing, as we refer to it in this photo gallery, is both the open space at the top of the stairs, usually looking down to the floor below as well as a small platform in the middle of a staircase where the stairs may take a turn or just provide a platform before continuing down.

Typically they look down into the entry foyer area of a home. While most second floor landings may also be called the upper floor hall, when there’s a view of the space below, we chose to add those spaces to our landing gallery.

Technically, the landing is a platform connecting stairs, but we took a little liberty with this term because many people do think of a landing as the open space at the top of a staircase as well.

Below is our full landing photo gallery. If you’re looking for foyer designs, check out our entry photo gallery.

Types of Landings

Styles

Landings can be classified just like other rooms of the home. They may be described by their design style such as craftsman, rustic, contemporary, transitional, Victorian, cottage, modern, eclectic, Asian, etc.

Location

However, they can also be classified as per location as we set out above. It could be an upper floor landing or top-of-stairs landing. It could also be a mid-staircase platform.

Purpose

Finally, it could be classified by purpose or use. For example, larger second-floor landings are actual rooms that overlook the space below. These spaces can be family rooms, offices, sitting rooms, crafting rooms… essentially they form a bonus space that isn’t a bedroom or bathroom.

They can also make terrific kids’ areas assuming your kids are old enough where stairs aren’t a hazard. It’s out of the way so if it gets a bit messy, it’s not the end of the world, yet you can hear what’s going on.

That said, it’s a good kids’ zone if you don’t have both living room and some additional family space. Some landings, especially those mid-stairs platforms can be sitting nooks. We have some of those in our gallery and they look fabulous.

Waste of space?

Are large landings a waste of space?

I don’t think so. While I wouldn’t want to give up a bedroom for a landing, I really like the look, feel and additional bonus space upper floor landings can provide.

They offer an out-of-the-way space that still gives you that connected-to-the-rest-of-the-house feeling. That said, I wouldn’t want my home office in a landing because it’s not private. On the flip side, I think they make terrific reading areas because it’s not in the TV room yet not secluded off in some study.

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Ideas for decorating stairs | Decorate

Stairs can be a part of your home that you find difficult to decorate. It is important to be creative and have good taste so that if you decorate this part of the house, it will look good and you will enjoy walking through it. There are people who never decorate them for fear that this area will not be overloaded or to avoid tripping, but decorating the stairs can be a great idea.

Stairs usually lead from the living room to the bedrooms on the upper floors. Also it can lead to the basement or other places in the house that require stairs to access. Wherever a staircase is in your home, you can add an eye-catching touch with a decoration that will make a difference in your home.

If you don't know how to decorate the staircase in your house to make it look good and be a cozy area of ​​your house, even if it's just a passageway, don't skip the following ideas because you will achieve a beautiful result. Pick the ideas you like or even combine them!

index

Accessories on the stairs If your stairs have a landing that connects the bottom stairs to the top stairs, you can add an accessory to decorate it well. For example, For decor, you can add a large and beautiful plant, vase or statue.

Even if you can see it well, you can add some pretty flowers on the steps to decorate a little more. But, of course, in this sense it will be necessary to take this into account so as not to stumble.

Carpets on the stairs

If you place a carpet on the stairs, this could be an opportunity to enhance the elegance of this area of ​​the house. Not only do you improve the appearance of stairs, but you also protect them, as shoes can damage the stairs. You will also promote him to be warmer pass through them whenever you want to walk barefoot while going up and down stairs.

You can also decorate the walls

If you don't want to touch the steps or don't like the idea of ​​laying a rug (as well as placing accessories on the steps or landing), then you can focus on the walls so that you can decorate them. Walls can be decorated with paintings, photographs or images that you simply like.

You can hang pictures of your family, personal pictures or just pictures that you enjoy looking at. Another option is to post pictures or images with motivational phrases or images that you love to read every day.

Another idea to decorate the walls is to paint them. If you don't want to post photos or images, you can add color by painting them with colors that match your home decor. The walls of the stairs do not have to be painted white or the same color as the rest of the walls. You can come up with colors that you like and that are suitable for decorating your stairs, how about bright and vibrant colors?

Add nature

In addition to accessories, it's always good to add nature because people like to be close to nature. Whether you have nature-inspired decorations in the rest of your home or not, you might want to consider decorating your stairs with plants to add fauna and flora!

In order not to stumble, if you want to put several pots, you should opt for pots and hanging plants that hang from the ceiling. The effect can be really beautiful.

Stair Ornament

If you don't like the stair carpet but want to decorate the stairs in some way, you can decorate the bottom of the step. The surface of the step would be the same, but you could show all your creativity with the bottom part, for example, you can choose the following ideas:

Well-Lit Staircase

If none of the previous ideas grab your attention, but you want to give your staircase a different hue, then you might want to consider changing the lighting you have now to something that will further enhance this area of ​​your home.

Any staircase should be well lit so that it can be walked on in the absence of natural light. You can play with the lights by adding colored lights, white lights, or whatever you see fit to decorate the stairs in your home.

With these ideas, you already have a place to start if you want to change the look of your stairs and improve the attractiveness of your home. You can even combine some of these ideas for an even better decoration. What ideas do you like the most?


design choices and design ideas

Special structures are used to connect building levels. The staircase in the interior is a real decoration of the house. It is suitable for almost any style decision. The staircase is able to attract attention with bright details, interesting geometry, and an unusual combination of textures. Properly chosen design and location radically change the perception of space, make it comfortable and safe to move to the second floor of the building.

It is important to decide whether you want to make the staircase the main center of the interior or whether it will simply fulfill its intended purpose

The structure will become the main part or will perform secondary tasks. The front wooden staircase becomes a key figure. Depending on its location, the space is divided into functional zones, pieces of furniture are arranged. The stairs are complemented with decor, create a special highlight. The secondary object plays a less prominent role in the interior. It is usually made from cheap materials, does not use decor, and is attached to a wall in a corridor or hall.

Content

Stair construction

Such products fulfill their intended purpose, bring zest to the design of the room. Order systems of any shape and size, picking up the necessary material. There are three main components of modern stairs in the interior:

They are made of wood, stone, glass, metal, concrete. Durable models are created to provide an entrance to the second floor.

Wooden flight ladder

Support elements Features
String The main component to which the steps are attached. Modifications are ordered without such an element.
Stringers These bars are a kind of bowstring, have cutouts at the top, steps are inserted into them.
Bolts They are used as an invisible fixing system. Steps are mounted with bolts to the wall.
Vertical stand It is used for a spiral staircase, which is made of metal, wood.

You must decide whether your stairs will have straight, rounded or irregularly shaped steps, what material the railing will be made of, and also think over the arrangement of the space under the stairs

Convenient drawers under stairs

The choice of a specific component depends on the type of product. An important component of the steps is the tread, where a person puts his foot. Its width is no more than 30 cm. The riser acts as a support and connecting part. It depends on the convenience of the design. Steps are straight, wedge-shaped, beveled. For the manufacture and installation of stairs, it is necessary to carry out appropriate calculations.

Fences consist of handrails, balusters, railings, which are necessary to ensure the safety of a person when moving. They perform a decorative function. Railings are the finishing touch to the design.

See also Architectural concept and residential interior design

Stair materials

For a suburban building, a durable and reliable product is chosen that can withstand heavy furniture being lifted to the second floor. Stairs in the interior of wood look spectacular. Environmentally friendly material will bring comfort to your home. Steps and railings are placed in different shapes. Modern modifications often do not have fences. The degree of safety of the chosen model depends on whether children or elderly people live in the house.

The natural tone of natural wood gives the surrounding interior a natural warmth

Spectacular wooden staircase with smooth curve

Glass solutions look fragile and weightless. They have individual characteristics. Light accents will help transform a simple model. For its manufacture, glass components and other decorative materials are used.

Stairs with glass railings look lighter and more airy

Reliable and durable cast-in-situ concrete stairs

Elite marble is replaced with an artificial stone, natural material begins to gradually wear off after a few years. Stairs are made of iron, aluminum, bronze, etc. Durable metal products are easy to install, they do not require large repair costs. They are made of stainless steel with wooden cladding on the frame. With the help of this material it is easy to translate into reality any idea of ​​the designer.

Luxurious metal frame staircase with wooden steps

Wrought iron staircase with original design

See also Wenge color in classic and modern interiors

Stair styles

It is necessary to choose the right color solution, take into account all the details in the project. It is not difficult to install any staircase in a private dwelling, but it must correspond to the general direction.

Expressive modifications are used for Art Nouveau style. Transparent products are performed in such directions: techno, hi-tech, minimalism. The compositions are complemented by metal railings, stone elements. Stairs in the Scandinavian style are bulky, simple design, straight and clear lines. They affect the visual perception of space.

Modern staircase in modern style

Decorative staircase in the interior of the house will be an excellent solution for a country-style room. These functional wooden models allow you to place a closet or convenient niches under them, they store various things. This direction provides a large amount of textiles.

Practical corner staircase that fits perfectly into the interior of a wooden house

The classic version will give the room solidity. It is made of stone, different types of trees. Rich decor is used as decoration. The main advantage of the structure is its comfortable operation and impressive appearance. It should be combined with furniture and accessories.

In a classic interior, the staircase works for respectability - strict railings, solid steps, solid wood

A solid construction in the English style will harmoniously fit into the interior. It will create an atmosphere of luxury and comfort. For her, they choose expensive wood, carved balusters, elegant finishes. There are other interesting areas: industrial, loft, chalet, Provence. To develop a project, it is better to contact specialists.

See alsoHistory of country style

Stair types

With the help of interesting solutions, it is possible to optimize the free space, to ensure the convenience of moving up the steps. The marching type will decorate the spacious halls. The design looks solemn and easy to use.

Single-flight staircase is a continuous series of steps from the top landing to the floor of the lower floor

The peculiarity of this staircase is the presence of only one bearing beam, located in the center of the structure and called stringer

Straight, swivel and platform split systems available. They are also classified according to the method of attachment:

Marching elements are mounted on a concrete base. This type is the most common modification. The absence of prefabricated elements makes the monolithic system resistant to damage. Its installation does not cause difficulties, but a certain area is required. This is not the best choice for modest apartments, but compact turning varieties can be considered.

Mid-flight stairs take up a lot of space and therefore may not be suitable for every home

The spiral staircase is less functional, but it takes up a small area. A room with such lifting tapes takes on a special look. An open copy is suitable for a country house. There are no risers in its design, so it seems to float in the air.

Spiral staircase - a compact solution for a modern interior

In the direction of the axis, straight, rotary and swing types are distinguished. Depending on the type of load-bearing components, structures are distinguished on stringers, bowstrings, and bolts. Regardless of the design, risers may or may not be present. Bolts wooden stairs are becoming more and more popular. Original solutions are suitable for dwellings decorated in modern, high-tech style. They are mounted with bolts. Despite the apparent lightness, such models are able to withstand a significant load. The systems are also installed on steel supports.

Bolted ladder can be marching, spiral or modular design

See also Orange in combination with others

Staircase in the hall

Out-of-town facilities provide a special room for waiting and relaxing guests. The hall is a large room adjacent to the hallway. It is easy to visually increase its volume by installing a white staircase in the interior. A well-chosen variation will delight the guests of a country house, delight the owners.

The staircase itself can become a decoration of the hall

The first impression of the owners of the house depends on the design of the hallway and, in particular, the stairs

For spacious apartments, a massive staircase is purchased and decorated with balustrades. The design of the hall corresponds to the chosen type. It is worth taking care of lighting by purchasing a central chandelier, installing additional devices at the entrance. The staircase will become a logical continuation of the design of the hall. Its geometry, colors can be traced in the design.

See alsoModern style in the interior of a modern house

Staircase in the living room

Such an element is able to bind furnishings. It is often placed in the living room, which immediately changes its character and purpose. A wooden staircase will become a bright accent if it is given an interesting shape. It is located in the central part of the room. It will help to connect apartments decorated in different styles. The staircase in the living room has the following advantages:

  1. Saves square meters, the space under the building is used for a variety of purposes.
  2. Decorative element.
  3. It is convenient to bring cabinets, sofas, appliances to the second floor.
  4. Logical association of space.

Efficient use of space under a flight of stairs

In the living room, it is placed in the corner or along the wall. The staircase acts as a partition, dividing the room into sections. In the space below it, equipment, paintings are placed, and recreation areas are created. Get a ready-made version of wood or make an individual order. Modifications with mirror or glass inserts look interesting.

See alsoInterior details - special attention

Options for small rooms

A spiral staircase is suitable for a small hallway. Variations with glass or metal railings are popular. If you want to fit it into the hallway, then choose a marching look. Under the steps, a storage system for clothes and shoes is equipped.

Compact ladder with simple design

Goose step stairs take up even less space

Stairs to the interior of a country house can be purchased as a screw type without risers. The forged metal model looks luxurious in the interior and takes up little space. In small rooms, everything should be logical and functional. For decor, diode illumination of the steps, unusual railings are used. The corridor is complemented by mirrors, photographs. The use of light-colored materials will visually make the lobby more spacious.

See also Dorm room design. Living space features

Ladder selection

Depending on the type of lifting, choose the location of the product. This needs to be done at the planning stage. Otherwise, order the option you like, which corresponds to the features of the home.

Learn more