33 Cool Modern Staircase Design Ideas (& Modern Stair Railings)

What is a modern staircase?

It’s a staircase type, or more specifically, a style. There are several attributes. They include simple, clean lines, alternative materials such as steel, cable and glass (often used with wood) and alternative design elements such as modified stringer and riser designs (see our parts of a staircase to learn more).

We’d be remiss if we didn’t include in our definition what it’s not. It’s not ornamental such as spindles and curves. It’s not curving or grand; instead usually straight or in a switchback style.

There is no single design that is modern, as you’ll see below. We feature a huge collection of modern staircases in our gallery below and while the designs vary widely, they all fall under the modern style.

A. Modern Staircases with Modern Stair Railings

Quintessential modern grey stairs with steel banister and railing (straight staircase design)

See entire house by FINNE Architects

Circular white, steel and glass modern staircase

See entire home by SAOTA

Soaring 3/4 turn modern stairs

See floor plan for above house.

Shallow-sloped straight modern wood stairs with glass railing

See entire house by Guillem Carrera Studio

Modern Switchback with Horizontal Metal “Cable” Style Modern Railing

See the floor plan here.

Black Modern Stairs with Black Railing in a Modern-Style Mountain Home

See floor plan here.

Dark contemporary wood rustic stairs with modern black steel railing leading to open landing

See floor plan.

Glass balustrade

Modern stairs with glass balustrade. — Modern stairs with glass balustrade. This design is clever with the lower half of the switchback design in natural wood and the upper half all white.

Glass railing switchback modern staircase

Modern light wood with full-length vertical white railing by Taylor Smyth Architects

See entire home by Taylor Smyth Architects

Modern wooden staircase with contemporary railing

Modern metal

Solid metal stairs built as one solid molded unit.

White metal mesh-style circular modern staircase by Open Architectes

See entire house by Open Architectes

Underlit wood staircase in enclosed hallway style rise by SAOTA

See entire home by SAOTA

Modern metal stairs with metal cable style railing in a half-turn configuration

See floor plan here.

Mid-Century

Simple white and natural wood staircase in mid-century modern home. — Simple white and natural wood staircase in a mid-century modern home.

With lights and modern glass railing

Modern staircase in foyer with lights and glass balistrade. — Modern staircase in foyer with lights and glass balustrade. The lights are mounted into the wall shining light onto the tread and risers.

Beautiful modern steel railing with light wood stairs (switchback style)

Modern stair railing

Modern steel stair railing. — Modern steel stair railing. Modern railings / balustrades often incorporate alternative materials such as steel, cable and glass. This is a fine example with stainless steel.

Modern spiral stairs

Modern spiral staircase. — Modern spiral staircase with wood steps attached to central pool. The dark wood steps constract nicely with the white support pole and white balustrade.

Modern loft stairs

Modern industrial loft stairs against exposed brick wall. — Modern industrial loft stairs against exposed brick wall. The stringers are solid steel while the treads are wood. No risers used. This is much like a simple deck stairs design.

Modern loft stairs with office underneath. — Modern loft stairs with office underneath. The stairs are one solid concrete form with wood boards placed on top for a polished look. The form “floating” design creates room under the staircase for a small office. I love how the desk plank matches the wood planks used as tread surface on the concrete stairs.

Basement

modern basement stairs with shelving balustrade. — modern basement stairs with shelving balustrade. I have to admit that this is the first design I’ve seen where the balustrade is a shelving unit. Clever and unique.

B. Modern Staircases without Railings

Modern staircases often are without railings. It’s part of the minimalist look. Check them out:

Fabulous suspended modern staircase without railing against wall with built-in shelving

See entire house by SAOTA

Quarter turn modern stairs with no railing

See above home by Muuk Architecture.

Minimalist wood modern stairs without a railing

See this home by Luc Plante Architecture and Design

Suspended half-turn modern black staircase with no railing on bottom half (glass railing on upper portion) by SAOTA

See entire home by SAOTA

Modern Wood

Modern illuminted wood stairs against a white wall and no balustrade. — Modern illuminated wood stairs against a white wall and no balustrade.

Floating

This is not our only floating modern staircase example. You'll notice there's no supports under the upper portion of the steps (tread and risers). — This is not our only floating modern staircase example. You’ll notice there’s no supports under the upper portion of the steps (tread and risers).

No railing

Modern stairs with no railing.

No risers or stringers (in traditional stair design)

Modern style staircase with no railing, solid wood tread and steel support beam replacing traditional stringers and risers.

Modern carpeted stairs

Modern stairs with carpet. — Modern wood stairs with carpet runner.

Modern storage staircase

Modern stairs with shelving. — Modern stairs with shelving. This is a really clever design how the tiered shelving extends off the actual steps creating a seamless combination of display shelving and stairs.