Open-Riser Staircases
When you walk into a home, the staircase is often the first thing you see. For decades, it was a heavy, boxed-in necessity that cut off light and cramped the hallway. But today, the most sought-after contemporary staircase designs are doing the exact opposite.
By embracing the open-plan staircase, homeowners are transforming cramped entries into airy, light-filled galleries. But is an open-tread design right for your project?
Whether you are renovating a period property or fitting out a contemporary new build, here are the most inspiring open tread staircase ideas to elevate your interior.
The Floating / Cantilever Staircase: Pure Minimalism
The Vibe: Ultra-modern, clean, and gravity-defying.
Pro Tip: Pair these with frameless glass balustrades. This ensures that the "floating" illusion isn't broken by heavy handrails, maintaining a 360-degree flow of light.
The pinnacle of open-tread design is the cantilevered staircase. These treads are anchored into a hidden steel stringer within the wall, making them appear to sprout directly from the masonry without any visible support.
Steel and Raw Timber
For a loft-style aesthetic, look toward the fusion of organic warmth and industrial strength. A central steel spine (the "stringer") painted in matte black or anthracite creates a bold silhouette, while thick oak or walnut treads provide a tactile, natural touch.
The Vibe: Edgy, structural, and sophisticated.
Design Note: Use "distressed" or live-edge wood for the treads to contrast against the precision-engineered metal for a truly bespoke feel.
Sculptural Spirals: Form Meets Function
The Vibe: Elegant and space-saving.
Why it works: In open-plan living areas, a solid spiral can feel like a pillar in the middle of the room. An open-tread spiral feels like a piece of hanging art.
Open treads work exceptionally well on spiral or helical staircases. Without the solid risers, a spiral staircase becomes a delicate "skeleton" that doesn't block the view of the room behind it.
Straight Staircases
While curved stairs are dramatic, a straight flight is the hallmark of minimalist luxury. It offers:
Unobstructed Views: Perfect for highlighting floor-to-ceiling windows.
Geometric Precision: It complements the "less is more" philosophy of modern architecture.
Versatility: It works in narrow corridors just as well as grand foyers.
Open oak tread
When designing your open-plan staircase, your choice of material dictates the soul of the room.
Open Oak Treads: Nothing beats the warmth of natural timber. Oak brings an organic, grounded feel to a modern home. It’s tactile, dampens sound, and ages beautifully.
Steel Open Stairs: For those chasing an industrial or "New York Loft" vibe, steel is king. It allows for incredibly thin profiles and can support "floating" treads that look like they’re defying gravity.
Bespoke open stairs
Off-the-shelf stairs often feel like an afterthought. Bespoke open stairs, however, are engineered specifically for your home’s unique dimensions and light sources.
When you go custom, you aren't just choosing colors; you’re deciding on the "pitch," the thickness of the tread, and the type of balustrade—whether that’s seamless structural glass or architectural wire.
Ready to elevate your home?
A staircase is the spine of your house. If you’re ready to trade a dark hallway for a stunning architectural feature, we’re here to help.
Contact our design team sales@ovoms.com today for a free consultation on your bespoke open stairs.
