Stairway to Heaven

Joseph Pubillones
Fri, 19 Dec 2025 21:00:00 -0800
Lifestyle

There is an air of elegance to multistoried homes. Even if they are diminutive in size, their stance is that of a grand home.

Historically, two-story or multistory homes were the result of trying to build more square footage on a limited amount of land. In city and town settings, these homes take the form of a row home or townhouse, and in neighborhoods that are more suburban or rural, these stacked houses take the form of your standard two- or three-story home. The latter also came about due to climate. In cooler seasons, upstairs bedrooms are convenient because warm air rises, thus making the interior temperature warmer for sleeping.

Sometimes a stairway is the singular architectural statement of these homes. This vertical connector has many names: stairway, staircase, stairwell, flight of stairs or simply stairs. Functionally, staircases exist to get from point A to point B. That said, staircases often are overlooked as a place to make a design statement. Throughout history, architects and engineers have racked their brains to come up with spectacular architectural designs, and sometimes they are simple and strictly functional.
Updated: Sat Dec 20, 2025

There is an air of elegance to multistoried homes. Even if they are diminutive in size, their stance is that of a grand home.

Historically, two-story or multistory homes were the result of trying to build more square footage on a limited amount of land. In city and town settings, these homes take the form of a row home or townhouse, and in neighborhoods that are more suburban or rural, these stacked houses take the form of your standard two- or three-story home. The latter also came about due to climate. In cooler seasons, upstairs bedrooms are convenient because warm air rises, thus making the interior temperature warmer for sleeping.

Sometimes a stairway is the singular architectural statement of these homes. This vertical connector has many names: stairway, staircase, stairwell, flight of stairs or simply stairs. Functionally, staircases exist to get from point A to point B. That said, staircases often are overlooked as a place to make a design statement. Throughout history, architects and engineers have racked their brains to come up with spectacular architectural designs, and sometimes they are simple and strictly functional.

Savvy interior designers will make a point to show off a bit and give this area a bit of a "wow" factor. As this space is what generally differentiates the public spaces from the private, it can make for great displays. The walls can carry works of art such as prints and paintings and are perfect for a collection of family photos, while areas such as a landing or the space in the center of a spiral staircase can be the perfect place for sculpture, a round table or, if large enough, a grand piano or a harp.

In certain instances, a way to feature a staircase is to paint the walls in a bold color to make sure you notice the rising wall and whatever may be hanging on it. Another way to improve a simple staircase is to commission a custom-designed railing. The design of your railing can be made of wood by a millwork company in conjunction with your architect of interior designer, or by a metal smith in almost any style or finish. Let us not forget that lighting fixtures bring glamour when in the form of small chandeliers or wall sconces.

In case your stair needs some soundproofing from the click-clacking of high heels or heavy footsteps, a carpet runner underfoot would do the trick, as well as make a statement. Runners bring a touch of uniqueness. Traditionally, oriental rugs have graced homes with brass holders to keep them in place. Currently, designers are pushing the envelope with runners in floral prints, geometric patterns and even some that imitate animal skins. Creativity is limited only by your imagination. Because of heavy traffic, runners work best in multicolored patterns, as this will conceal spills, dust and shoe markings.

By paying attention to the design of your stairs, you can turn a simple functional space into a heavenly feature of your home.