20+ Beautiful Modern Staircases

We’re constantly running across photos of genuinely jaw-dropping modern staircases. So much of the time, stairs look as if they were ignored until the last minute of the design process, but not in these cases. Check out some of our favorite modern staircases that we’ve come across:

01. Ribbon Stairs By HŠH Architects

Let’s start with a staircase we’ve discussed: Ribbon Stairs. Designed by HŠH Architects to mimic a delicate rippling ribbon, these stairs are beautiful but maybe a little scary to run up and down when you’re in a hurry.

02. Stairs Uonuon By 14 Ora Italiana

Italian company 14 Ora Italiana has a collection of wood grain porcelain tiles inspired by Andy Warhol’s works. The Uonuon line comes in fourteen colors featured on this colorful and fun modern staircase.

03. House G By Maxwan Architects + Urbanists

Photo by: Filip Dujardin

These stairs belong in House G by Maxwan Architects + Urbanists, where a barn received a complete makeover. The planes of the stairs become a part of the wall shelves in a unique setup for book storage and kitchen storage.

04. Grove Park Project By Bell Phillips Architects

The Grove Park project from Bell Phillips Architects features a modern staircase “created from a complex geometry of folded triangular facets which appear to float effortlessly within the space.” [via Plastolux]

05. Loft Staircase By nC2 architecture

Photo by: Christopher Duff

These stairs that lead to a loft bedroom are by nC2 architecture in Brooklyn, NY. They incorporate extra shelving with alternate treads and are the ultimate in being spatially efficient.

06. Tread Staircase By Atelier SAD

Photo by Kristina Hrabetová

Architecture firm Atelier SAD created another impressive alternate tread modern staircase that doubles as a bookshelf.

07. Stairs Sarphatipark By Rowin Petersma

From Rowin Petersma, this divided staircase is made of expanded steel that lets the maximum amount of light shine through from the top floor of the apartment.

08. Staircase Design By Kathryn Tyler of Linea Studio

Yet another fantastic staircase/bookshelf combo. This one is from Kathryn Tyler of Linea Studio’s own Scandinavian-inspired home. The Corkellis House does away with upper-level kitchen cabinets and uses open shelving and staircase shelves to house all kitchen-related items.

09. Blue House Staircase By Pieter Weijnen Of Faro Architecten

Photo by Hertha Hurnaus

The eco-friendly Blue House, designed by architect Pieter Weijnen of Faro Architecten, features modern nautical touches throughout. The architect built the house for his family on Steigereiland, one of Amsterdam’s artificial islands, and the stairs appear to float in the air without support. Steel cables are placed on the sides for safety.

10. Winding Staircase In House S By Keiji Ashizawa

Photo by: Daici Ano

The warm wood and metal of the 2-story winding staircase in House S by Keiji Ashizawa allows light to flow through the airy house and create massive amounts of visual interest.

11. Rainbow Spiral Staircase By Ab Rogers Design

How could I do a post about stairs and not include the rainbow spiral staircase designed by Ab Rogers Design that we featured last year from The Rainbow House?

12. Steel Floating Stairs In Flat #1 By Ecole

Photo by: X. Lucas

These steel floating stairs in Flat #1 by Ecole are simply amazing and an accurate statement of minimalism.

13. Godzilla House Suspended Floating Staircase By Chae-Pereira Architects

Photo by: Nils Clauss

Located in what is known as the Godzilla House by Chae-Pereira Architects in Seoul, Korea, these suspended stairs float along a curved wall and are lit by the hidden windows above.

14. Unusual Loft Staircase By Charlie Diaz

This loft duplex, designed by architect Charlie Diaz in downtown Madrid, Spain, features an unusual staircase that is the ultimate example of space saving.

15. Iconic NYC Loft Staircase By Paul Rudolph

These unusually deep stairs, and the 4-stories house surrounding them, come with a rather hefty price tag of $38 million. The iconic NYC property, designed by Paul Rudolph, has seen many famous people inside, including Halston and Gunter Sachs, who were both previous owners.

16. Simple Floating Staircase Of Office/Studio Loft By Studioata

Italian architecture firm Studioata designed this small space with an office/studio loft connected by simple floating white stairs.

17. Uniquely Shaped Staircase By Alphaville Architects

This small, uniquely shaped house calls for a small, uniquely shaped staircase, and that’s just what Kyoto-based Alphaville Architects designed.

18. Extra-Wide Stone Stairs By Castroferro Arquitectos

Designed by Castroferro Arquitectos, these extra-wide stone stairs with wood treads on top match the floating wood stairs above, all with enough room to store books on the sides.

19. Concrete Stairs With Cord Crisscrossing By MO Architekten

From MO Architekten, concrete stairs with cord crisscrossing to form the sides of the railing — yes, please! Just think of all the fun colors you could string when you get bored with this one. [via Plastolux]

20. Staircase III By Artist Do Ho Suh

While not walkable, this piece of fabric architecture by artist Do Ho Suh is a 1:1 replica of the staircase that connects his apartment to his landlord’s. The work is entitled Staircase III and is displayed at the Tate Modern in London.

21. Bookshelf Stairs

Talk about maximizing every inch of space! These bookshelf stairs are some of the most extraordinary modern staircases we’ve seen.

22. Trippy Stairs

You can’t write a post about stairs and not include the Trippy Stairs that we featured last year. They are some of the unique stairs we’ve ever seen and, most definitely, trippy.