Latest staircase trends: 2025

As we step into 2025, the world of staircase design is evolving in exciting ways, reflecting broader trends in architecture, sustainability, and technology. Gone are the days of plain, functional staircases; today’s designs prioritise aesthetics, innovation, and environmental responsibility in residential homes. 

From floating staircases that create a sense of airiness to the seamless integration of LED lighting and smart technology, this year’s staircase trends showcase a perfect blend of style and functionality.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the top 10 staircase trends for 2025, delving into the key features and reasons behind their rising popularity. Whether you’re looking to renovate your stairs or simply seeking inspiration, these trends will guide you toward creating a stunning and contemporary staircase that elevates your space and makes it a true focal point within your home.

1. Floating staircases

Floating staircases are modern, sleek, and minimalistic stair designs, where the treads appear to be suspended in the air without visible support. They typically use hidden structural elements, such as cantilevered designs anchored to walls or discreet steel frameworks, to create a light and open aesthetic. These staircases are often made from wood, glass, metal, or a combination of materials to enhance their contemporary appeal.

Key features:

• Cantilevered design: Steps extend from a hidden steel or concrete structure within the wall.
• Open and airy aesthetic: No visible risers or bulky supports, allowing for a spacious feel.
• Wide choice of materials: Often crafted from wood, glass, steel, or even stone for a modern or industrial look.
• Customisable balustrades: Glass panels, minimalist metal handrails, or no balustrade at all, for an ultra-modern design.
• LED integration: Under-step lighting enhances the floating effect and provides ambiance to the staircase.

Why floating staircases are trending in 2025

Floating staircases are perfect for compact spaces, as they create an open and uncluttered look. As minimalist and industrial styles continue to dominate, floating staircases fit seamlessly into contemporary designs, often incorporating tech integration for both an aesthetic and functional appeal. Plus, advancements in engineered wood and recycled materials can now make floating staircases more eco-friendly, widening the appeal to a vast range of homeowners.

2. Spiral staircases

Spiral staircases are compact, visually striking stairways that wind around a central pole or column. They offer a space-saving alternative to traditional staircases, and can be made from various materials, including wood, metal, glass, or concrete. Their elegant, sculptural design makes them a popular choice for a wide variety of homes.

Key features:

• Space-saving: Takes up less floor space compared to straight or L-shaped stairs.
• Aesthetic appeal: Adds a stylish, architectural focal point to any interior or exterior.
• Versatile material options: Available in wood, steel, wrought iron, glass, or a combination of materials to suit the aesthetics of the home.
• Customisation: Can be designed in various diameters, styles, and finishes to suit both space and aesthetic requirements.
• Safety and durability: Often includes handrails, anti-slip treads, and sturdy construction for additional staircase safety.

Why spiral staircases are trending in 2025

With urban living spaces shrinking, homeowners and designers are opting for compact solutions like spiral staircases to help utilise limited space. However, many contemporary homes are generally favouring sleek, open, and sculptural designs, along with using them to connect to loft spaces seamlessly, making spiral staircases a popular choice. What’s more, many spiral staircases are now made with sustainable materials, removing the compromise between aesthetics and eco-focus. The design can also include integration with LED lighting and smart home technologies, for emphasis on safety and ambiance. 

3. Industrial-inspired metal staircases

Industrial-inspired metal staircases combine raw, utilitarian aesthetics with modern functionality. These staircases are typically made from steel, iron, or aluminium, often featuring open risers, minimalist railings, and exposed welds or bolts. They are popular in both residential and commercial spaces, offering a sleek yet rugged appeal that complements urban lofts, modern homes, and industrial-style offices.

Key features:

• Durable materials: Typically constructed from steel, iron, or aluminium for longevity and strength.
• Minimalist design: Clean lines, open risers, and simple geometric shapes enhance the industrial look.
• Exposed finishes: Raw, matte, or powder-coated finishes highlight the rugged appeal of the metal.
• Mixed materials: The trend often combines metal with wood, glass, or concrete for contrast and added style.
• Customisable balustrades: Cable, mesh, or perforated metal balustrades enhance the industrial aesthetic, whilst providing safety.
• Space-saving options: Spiral and floating staircases are popular choices in this design for compact urban spaces.

Why industrial-style metal staircases are trending in 2025

The industrial interior trend continues to thrive, especially in metropolitan areas and renovated warehouse spaces. The flexibility to mix materials and create unique designs makes metal staircases a popular choice for modern architecture, along with providing homeowners with long-lasting, easy-to-maintain materials that can align with sustainable building goals. This trend can also be integrated with smart technologies and LED lighting for a seamless, functional appeal. 

4. Glass balustrades

Glass balustrades are sleek, modern safety barriers made from tempered or laminated glass. They are commonly used in staircases to provide an unobstructed view, whilst maintaining structural integrity and safety. These balustrades can be framed, semi-frameless, or fully frameless, offering various levels of transparency and design flexibility.

Key features:

• Aesthetic appeal: Enhances the look of any space, with a minimalist and elegant design.
• Durability and strength: Made from toughened glass, ensuring resistance to impact and increasing staircase safety.
• Unobstructed views: Provides clear sightlines, making the space feel more open and connected.
• Low maintenance: Easy to clean and resistant to rust, requiring minimal maintenance to keep it in best condition.
• Customisation options: Available in different thicknesses, finishes, and styles (such as frosted, tinted, or clear glass) to meet the design needs of any home.

Why glass balustrades are trending in 2025

Open-concept designs continue to dominate architecture and staircase design, and glass balustrades complement this trend by enhancing natural light flow throughout the space. With real estate emphasising high-end finishes, glass balustrades add a premium touch to modern homes, without a high-maintenance schedule attached. Glass is also recyclable, and many homeowners are now leaning towards eco-friendly, long-lasting materials, increasing the popularity of the trend.

5. Sustainable & eco-friendly materials

Sustainable staircase design incorporates environmentally friendly materials that reduce ecological impact, whilst maintaining the needed durability, aesthetics, and functionality of a staircase. These materials include reclaimed wood, recycled metal, bamboo, glass, and engineered composites – all designed to minimise carbon footprints and support greener living.

Key materials:

• Reclaimed wood: Repurposed from old structures, reducing deforestation and waste.
• Bamboo: A rapidly renewable resource, known for its strength and natural aesthetic.
• Recycled metal: Steel or aluminium with high post-consumer content, minimising resource extraction.
• Glass (recycled or tempered): Enhances openness and light flow, while utilising repurposed glass.
• Engineered timber and composite materials: Sustainably sourced wood with reduced environmental impact.
• VOC-free finishes and adhesives: The finishing touches to a staircase, ensuring healthier indoor air quality.

Why sustainable and eco-friendly materials are trending in 2025

The increased awareness of climate change is driving homeowners towards more eco-conscious choices, which are far more largely available, allowing them to still keep the aesthetic and functional appeal they’re looking for. Eco-friendly staircases not only reduce environmental impact, but also add timeless beauty and long-term value to modern interiors.

6. Two-tone staircases

A two-tone staircase is a design trend where two different colours, finishes, or materials are used to create contrast and visual interest. Typically, the treads and risers of the staircase are finished in different shades or textures, offering a stylish, dynamic look. This can be achieved using wood and paint, mixed metals, or a combination of natural and industrial materials.

Key features:

• Contrasting colours: Common combinations include black and white, natural wood and painted risers, or dark treads with light balusters.
• Material fusion: The two-tone effect can also be created by blending wood, metal, glass, or stone for a modern aesthetic.
• Customisable design: The trend allows personalisation to match any interior style, from traditional staircase design to contemporary.
• Enhanced depth and dimension: The contrast helps define the staircase structure, making it a focal point within the home.
• Improved maintenance: Darker treads hide wear and dirt, whilst lighter risers keep the space feeling open and airy.

Why two-tone staircases are trending in 2025

This staircase trend fits well with sleek, clean-lined interiors that are gaining popularity. Homeowners are moving away from traditional uniform staircases in favour of unique, customised designs that showcase their own personality. The two-tone effect can also be made with eco-friendly and sustainable materials, for a more environmentally-focused home, along with integration with LED lighting – amplifying the light and dark effects, along with creating ambiance within the space. 

7. Sculptural & artistic staircase designs

Sculptural and artistic staircases are more than just functional elements in architecture – they are statement pieces that redefine interior spaces and make them a focal point within the home. These staircases blend engineering with art, transforming a home into a visually captivating environment. Whether minimalist, futuristic, organic, or intricate, these designs elevate the aesthetic appeal of any space, whilst maintaining structural integrity.

Key features:

• Unique forms and shapes: Spiral, helical, floating, ribbon-like, or asymmetrical designs that break away from traditional structures.
• Innovative materials: Use of glass, metal, wood, concrete, and even 3D-printed materials to create distinctive aesthetics.
• Seamless integration: Designed to blend into the interior aesthetics harmoniously.
• Customisation and personalisation: Bespoke, tailored designs that reflect the personality and vision of the space’s owner.
• Functional art: Serving as both a means of movement and a striking visual centrepiece within the home.

Why sculptural and artistic staircase designs are trending in 2025

Homeowners are increasingly seeking unique designs that enhance their interiors beyond just décor, and as such, the demand for bespoke, one-of-a-kind architectural elements within the home is at an all-time high. The design is truly what you want to make of it, whether it’s the integration of lighting, kinetic elements, or interactive designs, making the staircase more dynamic. Moreover, the use of eco-friendly materials and adaptive reuse techniques are pushing new boundaries in staircase construction, allowing the design to fit with the ethos of the owner.

8. Hidden storage under stairs

Hidden storage under stairs is a smart space-saving solution that utilises the often-unused area beneath a staircase. It includes built-in cabinets, pull-out drawers, sliding shelves, or even hidden compartments to maximise storage, whilst maintaining a sleek, clutter-free look. Ideal for homes of all sizes, this feature is perfect for organising shoes, books, pantry items, or even creating a small workstation or pet nook.

Key features:

• Customisable designs: Options range from open shelves to concealed cabinets and hidden doors, allowing you to choose one to meet the needs of your home.
• Space optimisation: Maximises storage in compact homes, apartments, or tiny houses, keeping the area clutter-free.
• Multi-purpose use: Can function as just about anything – a bookshelf, wine rack, mini office, or even hidden safe.
• Aesthetic appeal: Blends seamlessly with modern interiors and the existing staircase design for a minimalist look.
• Smart storage solutions: Can incorporate soft-close drawers, push-to-open mechanisms, and even automated sliding panels.

Why hidden storage under stairs is trending in 2025

With a growing preference for clean, organised spaces, hidden storage solutions are in high demand for minimalist and clutter-free living. As such, homeowners are prioritising sleek, multi-functional furniture that enhances both design and efficiency – including utilising their staircases. What’s more, as urban homes and apartments are getting smaller, the need for under-stair storage is a practical necessity. Repurposing unused spaces also reduces the need for extra furniture, making it a long-term, eco-friendly solution.

9. Integrated LED lighting

Integrated LED lighting in staircase design involves embedding LED strips or fixtures directly into the staircase structure – whether in steps, handrails, or side panels – to enhance both functionality and aesthetics. These lights provide ambient illumination, improve safety, and add a modern touch to residential homes. 

Key features:

• Energy efficiency: LEDs consume significantly less power than traditional lighting, reducing utility costs and environmental impact.
• Customisable colours and brightness: Choose from a wide range of options for warm, cool, or RGB lighting with dimming controls to create the perfect ambiance for the space.
• Smart technology integration: LED lighting can be compatible with motion sensors, smart home systems, and voice assistants.
• Minimalistic aesthetic: Hidden LED strips maintain a sleek, clean design.
• Safety enhancement: Provides visibility in low-light conditions, reducing trip hazards.
• Durability and longevity: LEDs have a lifespan of 50,000+ hours, with minimal maintenance needed.

Why integrated LED lighting is trending in 2025 

Contemporary architecture favours seamless, built-in lighting for a clean, minimalist look, providing homes with a luxury and modern appeal. With integrated LED lighting, homeowners can enjoy customisable lighting that can adapt to both the space and to different times of the day, and can even be integrated with smart home technologies for increased convenience and functionality. LED lighting is also more energy efficient, making it a far more popular choice over other lighting options. 

10. Smart staircases

Smart staircases are innovative architectural features that integrate technology to enhance the safety, convenience, and user experience of a staircase. These staircases often incorporate sensors, lighting, and connectivity to create a more interactive and intelligent environment. They can be found in various settings, including residential homes, commercial buildings, and public spaces.

Key features:

• Motion sensors: These detect users approaching or walking on the stairs, automatically activating lighting or safety features.
• LED lighting: Illuminates the steps or surrounding area, improving visibility and safety – especially at night.
• Integration with smart home systems: Connects to home automation systems for seamless control through smartphones or voice assistants.
• Safety alerts: Could send notifications to users’ smartphones if an abnormal situation is detected, such as someone falling on the stairs.
• Energy efficiency: Uses energy-efficient technologies, such as LED lighting or motion-activated systems, to reduce electricity consumption.

Why smart staircases are trending in 2025

As more people adopt smart home technologies, integrating features like smart staircases into homes becomes increasingly appealing. However, there’s also a heightened need for accessibility solutions, and smart staircases can provide assistance and alerts for those who need them. The emphasis on eco-friendly designs has also led to innovations in energy-efficient materials and systems, making smart staircases attractive to environmentally conscious homeowners.

With all these different ideas, have we inspired your staircase for 2025? For a staircase design that is completely bespoke to your home and style, get in touch with the Handrail Creations team today.