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
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
Black Modern Stairs with Black Railing in a Modern-Style Mountain Home
Dark contemporary wood rustic stairs with modern black steel railing leading to open landing
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
Modern metal stairs with metal cable style railing in a half-turn configuration
Mid-Century
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 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 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 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. 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. 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. 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
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
Modern Wood
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).
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 storage staircase
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.