Cheryl Terramagra
Example of a mid-sized transitional wooden straight staircase design in Boston with painted risers

The stair utilizes standard steel profiles for the stringer and railing. Treads are laminated hickory, 3" thick.. Roger Wade photo.
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional wooden straight open and metal railing staircase remodel in Other

This multistory Craftsman staircase brings warmth and simplicity to the home. Clean horizontal lines define the design, from the rectangular wood treads to the custom newels, balusters, and handrail system. These lines create a warm open flow that connects each level with natural elegance and timeless simplicity. 1976-2025 © Century Stair Company

A magnificent floor medallion and hardwood stairs accented with ceramic tile stair risers add detail to this Mediterranean style hallway.
Inspiration for a mediterranean wooden staircase remodel in Los Angeles with tile risers

Add the right touch of modern and classical by adding bannisters and spindles that reflect natural treads and crisp white risers. Photo courtesy of the Post Building Group.

Casey Dunn
Inspiration for a large modern wooden curved open staircase remodel in Austin

Ben Benschneider
Inspiration for a contemporary wooden open staircase remodel in Seattle

Located in the Midtown East neighborhood of Turtle Bay, this project involved combining two separate units to create a duplex three bedroom apartment. The upper unit required a gut renovation to provide a new Master Bedroom suite, including the replacement of an existing Kitchen with a Master Bathroom, remodeling a second bathroom, and adding new closets and cabinetry throughout. An opening was made in the steel floor structure between the units to install a new stair. The lower unit had been renovated recently and only needed work in the Living/Dining area to accommodate the new staircase. Given the long and narrow proportion of the apartment footprint, it was important that the stair be spatially efficient while creating a focal element to unify the apartment. The stair structure takes the concept of a spine beam and splits it into two thin steel plates, which support horizontal plates recessed into the underside of the treads. The wall adjacent to the stair was clad with vertical wood slats to physically connect the two levels and define a double height space. Whitewashed oak flooring runs through both floors, with solid white oak for the stair treads and window countertops. The blackened steel stair structure contrasts with white satin lacquer finishes to the slat wall and built-in cabinetry. On the upper floor, full height electrolytic glass panels bring natural light into the stair hall from the Master Bedroom, while providing privacy when needed. archphoto.com

Benjamin Benschneider
Staircase - mid-sized modern wooden u-shaped open staircase idea in Seattle

Solid White Oak Stair Treads & Risers with a sq. edge detail. Plank Flooring, Solid 7" White Oak with a hand wirebrush and hand bevel. Color: Warm Silver. Photography by The Bowman Group

We have completed quite a few stair replacements in the past but this one was definitely one of the most dramatic. The existing stairs had Oak treads and the stringers, risers, capping, and landing were all faced with black and brown granite. The rails were all very heavy gauge wrought iron. We demolished all of the granite (what a mess) and donated the rails to someone who could utilize them. We flushed up the existing treads and laminated them with the same Hickory we were using for the flooring throughout the house. Instead of a traditional bullnose edge on the treads we decided to go with a square edge with a trim piece underneath to give it a slightly more modern look. We went with a box newel with a recessed panel, painted to match the balusters. We laminated the risers and stringers with a veneer to be painted as well. The handrails are solid Hickory made to order. The end result was a beautiful stairway and a very dramatic transformation!

Glass treads at the stairway allow light to travel all the way to the lower level. Photo: Jill Greer
Staircase - large contemporary glass u-shaped open staircase idea in Minneapolis

We're in the shop here today showing you an alternating-tread staircase that's' going to a job-site in Napa tomorrow. I'm standing on the landing which is at exactly mid-floor level. It's going into one one these 100-year-old houses with a steep roof and lots of attic space. The homeowner called me last month saying he wants to access this large attic area with something better than a ladder. He didn't have room for a conventional stair but this alternating-tread space-saving stair was a perfect fit. It's all Red Oak which matches the hardwood floors throughout the house. Once these are installed at the site we'll put a handrail on top of the stringers on the open side. I'll tell you a little about the alternating-tread staircases. It's built in a way that is nearly as easy to climb as a conventional stair. When we walk up a convectional stairway we normally use half of the stair tread at a time, placing one foot on the right half and the next foot on the left half. The idea of an alternating-tread stair is make half of each tread wide enough for your foot and then alternate the wide end of these paddle-shape treads from left to right. You still have your 10 inch minimum tread depth plus a 1 inch nosing projection. This give you 11" of support for each foot, just like a conventional stair. We normally make the risers a max of 7-3/4", but code allows us to go as high as 9 inches. This one is 7-3/4" which is very comfortable. We installed a metal bar across the middle of each open-riser to limit the open space to less than a 4 inch gap. Anyway, I just wanted to give you a quick shot of this. Tomorrow morning we get to go to the job-site and install this. I'd can't wait to see the look on the customer's face when we have this installed. I'll let him do the bragging :-) Last but not least, I'd like to give glory to God and special recognition to a Jewish carpenter named Jesus. I don't know for sure if He built stairways as a carpenter, but I am happy to say that He is my LORD and I want to live my whole life for Him. God bless you! And please contact me if you want any type of custom stairs. Clyde 520-895-2060 or 916-991-9700

Grass treads with fieldstone risers leading to terraces.
Elegant beige three-story exterior home photo in New York

Contemporary stairs and cable railings in black powder coated steel. Cables are type 316 stainless steel. The wood treads and hand rail are made from Brazilian Cherry. Keuka Studios, inc. - Stair and Railing builder, Michael DeCandia Architects, Kast Photographic

Heartwood Birch custom stair treads and landing, milled to perfectly match the homeowner's wood flooring. Hand crafted by Hull Forest Products, Connecticut's largest sawmill. Nationwide shipping. 4-6 weeks lead time for all orders. 1-800-928-9602. www.hullforest.com

Designed by the homeowners themselves, this striking staircase rises through multiple levels with architectural precision. Dark-toned square balusters and newels create bold contrast against crisp white risers, while horizontal stainless steel rods maintain visual lightness. The brilliance lies in the interplay of angles, levels, textures, and natural light. Strategic design choices transform the staircase into more than a connector. It carves out cozy sunny nooks and creates focal points throughout the open floor plan, proving that thoughtful geometry can shape how a home feels and functions. 1976-2026 © Century Stair Company

Surrounded by trees and a symphony of song birds, this handsome Rustic Mountain Home is a hidden jewel with an impressive articulation of texture and symmetry. Cedar Shakes Siding, Large Glass Windows and Steel Cable Railings combine to create a unique Architectural treasure. The sleek modern touches throughout the interior include Minimalistic Interior Trim, Monochromatic Wall Paint, Open Stair Treads, and Clean Lines that create an airy feel. Rustic Wood Floors and Pickled Shiplap Walls add warmth to the space, creating a perfect balance of clean and comfortable. A see-through Gas Fireplace begins a journey down the Master Suite Corridor, flooded with natural light and embellished with Vaulted Exposed Beam Ceilings. The Custom Outdoor Fire-pit area is sure to entice a relaxing evening gathering. Photo Credit-Kevin Meechan

Red oak staircase with LJ4091 box newels and Baird Brothers red oak stair treads and risers.
Example of a classic staircase design in Other