All staircases either come in open or closed risers. In older and more traditional homes, you will notice that they mostly have closed risers, meaning the space between one step and the next has a board that prevents you from seeing what’s beneath the stairs. 

By contrast, each step in open riser staircases is left “open,” allowing the light and breeze to pass through. Occasionally, they are also called floating stairs because of their appearance. 

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Open Riser Staircases: Their Benefits 

They let in light and breeze. 

Because no board covers the gap between each step, open riser stairs let in light and breeze. Hence, they are a great choice if you want to take advantage of natural light and cross-ventilation. 

Open riser stairs complement an open-floor plan. 

Since they do not obstruct the lines of sight, open risers are great for open floor plans. Additionally, they can make an area look bigger because they don’t cast shadows or lead to a “dead space” beneath the staircase. 

They look minimalist and modern. 

If you’re into a minimalist home design, you can never go wrong with open riser stairs, thanks to their clean and simple lines and structures that allow the light to pass through. They also work well with modern or industrial decor. 

Open risers are versatile. 

Open risers are more versatile than closed risers because they can adapt to any configuration, be it curved, spiral, and straight. Additionally, they can be made out of just any material such as wood, glass, iron, concrete, stone, etc. 

They are easy to clean. 

Some people have decided to open their closed riser stairs to make cleaning much easier. Meanwhile, this design is particularly ideal in large households or if you have furry companions. 

They are ideal for people with longer feet. 

In general, the stair tread should be at least 11 inches to make them safe and convenient to use. However, some people with remarkably big feet may still find it insufficient, especially if there are closed risers where they can hit the back of their ankle as they climb down. 

Closed Riser Stairs: Their Benefits 

They look more traditional. 

To reiterate, closed riser stairs are more commonly found in older and traditional homes. But if you really want to achieve a classic look, you may want to consider adding a runner rug. 

They provide additional storage space. 

You can turn the dead space beneath your closed plan staircase into a cabinet, a shoe rack, or open shelves. With this additional storage space, you can avoid or at least reduce visual clutter even if you have a smaller house. 

They “look” more stable. 

Some people prefer a closed riser staircase because of its more “stable” look. By contrast, some open riser stairs may appear “flimsy” to some individuals. 

Some pet owners prefer closed riser stairs. 

With closed riser stairs, small dogs and cats can’t fall between the gaps. 

Did you enjoy this blog post? Then, call iStairs at 916 853 1499 if you want to know more about different staircase designs. We are a Sacramento stair company specializing in production homes, remodeling, installation, and design. Additionally, we sell staircase parts for DIYers and homeowners.

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Click here to connect with our staircase design team that can provide you different price quotes based on your preferred design, materials, and budget. 

While functionality always trumps aesthetics when designing a staircase, it remains ideal to turn this into an interesting architectural structure. After all, now, more than ever, we spend more time at home, making it almost a sacrosanct rule to make it into a safe, beautiful haven in this time of pandemic. 

But before we share the tips on how to turn your staircase into a stunning architectural element of your house, we must first delve into the “safety measurements” required by the building code. 

Safety Standard for Stairs 

The stairway width, tread depth, and riser height are determined by building codes to make it as safe and “predictable” as possible. 

iStairs, a staircase contractor in Sacramento, shares the safety standard for residential stairs, although these “measurements” allow some flexibility that they come in minimums and maximums. 

The staircase width should be at least 36 inches

The minimum staircase width, which refers to the horizontal distance, is 36 inches–excluding the handrails. This allows two persons to descend side by side, which is important during an emergency evacuation (in the event of fire, for example). 

Staircase tread or run depth should be at least 10-11 inches

The minimum tread depth, which also refers to the horizontal surface, is 10 inches in the open riser staircase (i.e., there is vertical space between the adjacent treads) or 11 inches in solid risers (i.e., the stairs between the treads are enclosed with a solid piece). This safety measure ensures enough room for the foot to rest on the stair, especially during descent. 

Also, building codes suggest that the tread depth should be consistent with each step, with the biggest one cannot be more than ⅜ inch greater than the smaller one. 

The maximum staircase riser height is 7 ¾ inches

This refers to the vertical part of a step or the distance you move your foot from one step to the next. To further make it safer, all treads should be identical or at least should have no variation greater than ⅜ inch.  

(Note: For seniors, risers that are 7 inches or less allow them to continue their independent living for longer, according to one survey.)

There should be staircase landings

Every staircase should have a landing at the bottom and top that cannot be narrower than the width of the stairs. 

There should be sufficient headroom

The minimum headroom, which is the vertical distance between the stair treads and the ceiling above, is 6 feet and 8 inches to allow [most] people to use the staircase without having to duck down. 

There should be a handrail

As a critical element of stair safety, a handrail must be at least 30 inches above the landing floor.

Making Your Staircase a Stunning Feature

Now that we’ve covered the staircase safety measurements, we can proceed with the simple tips on making it a stunning architectural element. 

Use a stair runner

Bare wood and smooth concrete staircases are a major safety hazard, especially if the step is wet or when a person tends to run around in socks. 

To create a stunning effect, make sure that your carpet shows around 4 inches of bare wood on either side of the tread and it covers the end and bottom of the last rise.

Choose a color based on your home decor

If you’re into modern and industrial design, a good rule of thumb is to paint your rail guard and balusters in a way that they match the surrounding decor. You can also opt for a gray-and-white or black-and-white combination. 

For a more classic effect, opt for an all-white or all-black balustrade to create a seamless flow up and down the stairs. Other neutral tones can also help you achieve timeless elegance. 

But if you’re someone with a more eclectic or bohemian style, your best bet is to use bold or cheerful color combinations. One rule you may want to consider is to paint the handrail with the deepest tone and then apply the remaining colors to the balusters, one color for each. Then, paint the top baluster with the second darkest hue and work your way to the lightest as you move down to create a waterfall effect. 

Create drama with lights

Adequate lighting not just prevents trips and falls but also creates an impact on the look and feel of your staircase. And while nothing beats natural light (coming from windows and skylights), the way many of our homes are designed, the stairs are situated in dark corners. 

For any staircase, the safety design requires a wall switch at each floor level to control the light source. 

Another option is to install motion sensor lights that will turn on automatically once it detects a person nearby. 

To create more drama, you may also consider LED rope lighting, which you can embed in the handrails or the base of the steps. 

To learn more about creating stunning and safe staircases, contact iStairs at (916) 853-1499 or visit their showroom at 11270 Pyrites Way, Gold River, California, situated around 30 minutes east of Sacramento. 

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iStairs is a residential and commercial stair contractor that designs, installs, and remodels staircases that meet building codes and safety standards. They also sell high-quality parts to DIYers who want to remodel their stairs by themselves. 

https://www.istairs.net/blog/top-10-design-tips-to-make-your-staircase-a-statement-piece/

While staircases are functional structures, there isn’t a guidebook that says they should look boring and unattractive. In fact, with some simple design tips and careful planning, you can turn them into a statement piece or even a focal point of your home’s interior. 

Here are the top 10 design tips that can turn a nondescript staircase into a stunning structure or even an art piece. 

Leave the wall bare and white. 

The best way to highlight a dark industrial-style staircase is to leave your wall bare and white. The same principle also applies to a minimalist interior design in which the structure or “main” furniture (sofa in the living room, and bed frame in the bedroom, for example) should serve as the only focal point. 

Meanwhile, some people opt for a maximalist design, thinking that white walls and fewer design elements lead to a boring or sterile-looking home interior. What they fail to realize is that when they highlight everything, they highlight nothing. 

Turn your staircase into bookshelves and cabinets. 

One way to eliminate clutter in your home is to create more storage space, which might be challenging if you have a limited floor area. Fortunately, you can turn your spandrel, which is the triangular space underneath the stairs, into bookshelves and cabinets. 

Aside from additional storage space, the built-in bookshelf is also an excellent place to showcase your prized art collection, travel souvenirs, and knick-knacks. 

Create a cozy corner under the stairs. 

Aside from a bookshelf, you can also turn the under-utilized space under the stairs into a cozy corner by placing built-in benches-cum-drawers. 

Consider a spiral staircase as a secondary access.

Traditional spiral staircases are not ideal as the main access point because of their limited width, although they can serve as a secondary access. 

Because of their dynamic shape, spiral staircases don’t need vibrant tones and too many details to stand out. In fact, plain white or any subdued color works well on this type of staircase. 

Opt for a staircase with a classic iron-wrought banister.

If you are into classic and elegant design, your best bet is a staircase with a traditional black matte iron-wrought banister combined with a warm wood handrail. 

Consider giving your staircase a Mediterranean touch.

Use terra cotta for the landing and tread, and blue mosaic tiles for the risers if you want to give your staircase a Mediterranean touch. You can also opt for an ornately decorated balustrade for an additional European flair. 

Add a runner.

Adding an elegant carpet runner can give your staircase a fresh new look without making a major home improvement. Another bonus is that they reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents, making it ideal if there are children and seniors using the stairs. 

Play with contrasting colors. 

Using dark wood for your tread or painting it with deep colors like vintage blue or indigo while keeping the riser pristine white is one surefire way to give your staircase a stunning look. 

Paint it solid black. 

If you’re not into black, you may want to consider other dark colors to paint your staircase. To further make it stand out, whitewash the balustrade and handrail or maintain their natural wood color. 

Opt for a suspended straight staircase with a minimalist design.

You can turn any boring straight-style staircase into an elegant structure by using white panels as your balustrade, placing treads of natural wood color, and removing the riser to allow the lights to pass through the stairs. 

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To learn more about stunning staircase designs, visit iStairs or contact them at 916 853 1499. You can also visit their showroom at 11270 Pyrites Way, Gold River, CA 95670, which is a short drive from Sacramento. 

Living in a small home doesn’t mean sacrificing style or functionality—especially when it comes to your staircase. At iStairs, we’re passionate about designing compact staircase solutions that are both efficient and architecturally beautiful. Whether you’re remodeling a loft, townhouse, or cozy cottage, our custom stair design solutions enhance your living space while keeping safety and comfort in focus.

Smart Staircase Designs That Save Space

L-Shaped Stairs:

Ideal for tight corners, L-shaped stairs change direction midway, often including a landing. They take up less floor space than straight stairs and offer a safer, easier climb thanks to their mid-point break.
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Winder Stairs:

Similar to L-shaped stairs—but without a landing—winder stairs feature wedge-shaped steps that gracefully turn. Their compact form is perfect for maximizing space in narrow homes.
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U-Shaped Stairs:

These double-flight staircases reverse direction completely, creating a 180° turn. U-shaped stairs are both visually dynamic and space-efficient, though they can pose challenges when moving bulky items.
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Spiral Stairs:

Charming and compact, spiral staircases are perfect for hidden use or secondary access. Inspired by old-world designs, they’re ideal where space is extremely limited—though they typically accommodate only one person at a time.
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Staircase with Storage:

Why let under-stair space go unused? A staircase-cum-storage solution incorporates drawers or cabinets beneath your steps, offering smart, seamless storage in tight layouts.
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Floating Stairs:

Sleek and minimalist, floating stairs offer a modern aesthetic and open feel. Adjusting tread angles can reduce incline, making them more comfortable and visually appealing—especially when paired with glass railings for safety.
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Why These Designs Work for Small Homes

• Maximize Every Inch: All these styles optimize vertical and horizontal space, ideal for compact homes.
  
  
• Blends Style with Function: Whether it’s a spiral staircase as a statement piece or under-stair storage as practical elegance, these designs add both form and function.
  
  
• Compliance & Comfort: iStairs ensures each custom solution meets building codes and remains user-friendly—even for kids and those with mobility challenges.
  
  
• Tailored for You: Each design can be customized in materials—from floating oak treads to space-saving winder stairs—to perfectly match your home’s style and structure.
  
  

Learn More & Gain Inspiration

Want a statement staircase that truly fits your home’s personality? Explore our blog on [14 Stairway Design Ideas], where we showcase unique and artistic stair concepts—from dramatic, sculptural forms to vibrant, colorful accents.
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Looking to balance appeal with safety and code compliance? Our guide on [Guidelines to Create a Beautiful and Functional Staircase] breaks down key measurements, materials, and safety features for any staircase build.
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Ready to Transform Your Space with Smart Stair Design?

At iStairs, we design small home staircase solutions that are beautiful, practical, and code-compliant. Whether you’re leaning toward a space-saving spiral staircase or a clever staircase-storage hybrid, we bring your vision to life.

Contact us today to request a bid and start planning your perfect staircase: call (916) 853-1499, or visit our showroom in Gold River for inspiration and expert guidance.