7 Space-Savvy Staircase Ideas for Small Houses

If you’re struggling with staircase ideas for small houses, you’ll be relieved to hear that there are a number of fantastic options for you to choose from. Obviously, all houses are different shapes and sizes and everyone has different ideas of what they want their finished staircase to look like. We’ve taken these considerations and preferences into account to offer a number of staircase ideas for small houses around the UK.

From spiral staircases to bespoke open tread staircases, take a look at our list of staircase ideas for small houses to spark some inspiration.

The Open Tread Ladder

This design has become popular in studios and one bed across the UK because if it’s a cost-effective and compact design. This single flight staircase offers a great entryway for upper bedrooms or snug loft spaces to crawl into. It’s easily moveable and storable, making it perfect for smaller houses, flats and bungalows. They’re also visually light and intriguing, unlike most larger staircases that can take up a large area of your hallway.

The Open Oak Staircase

This design combines form with function, offering a visually unique staircase idea for small commercial spaces as well as homes. You can also choose to install a storage unit (or units) under the stairs to make the most out of this staircase idea. While this staircase idea might seem big for a small home, if you’re able to utilise the space underneath (for storage or another space-saving solution), you get the appearance of a traditional staircase with the practicality of storage below.

This type of staircase looks fantastic when combined with bold stair runners and pewter or polished brass. Wooden staircases, while they look good on their own, benefit from having runners installed for both aesthetic benefits as well as safety. 

Spiral Staircases

Spiral staircases remain one of the best and most common staircase ideas for small homes. Spiral staircases are designed with space-saving in mind, they’re long staircases that cover vertical distances without having to take up a whole corner of a home. Not only are they practical, but they can be designed in a number of ways to complement your interior design ideas, whether you’re looking for a traditional oak or wooden spiral staircase or something more rustic, like a wrought iron spiral staircase. 

Regardless of the design you choose, the most important aspect of your spiral staircase should be its size. After all, your main aim here is to save space.

U-turn Stairways

U-turn stairways are also a fantastic staircase idea for a small house because they’re similar to spiral staircases in that they’re designed to take up minimal surface area. Unlike traditional L-shaped or linear staircases (which typically require bigger ground space), U-turn staircases cut that surface area in half, opting for a more vertical stairway that’s at least two sets of stairs with a platform in the middle.

Some people also opt to place small storage units or even shelving halfway up the staircase. This area can also be used for decorative purposes, lining your shelving with plants, pictures and trinkets. 

Floating Staircases

Floating staircases are exactly what you’d imagine, stairs that look as though they’re floating. There’s a number of different designs for floating staircases, some people choose a glass-panelled bannister for a transparent aesthetic, others may opt for a tread to ceiling wiring to support the stairs and there are other designs that go for floor to ceiling railings (like the featured picture). 

Cupboard Under the Stairs Style

This staircase idea for a small house features another storage benefit that will appeal to those looking for a more traditional staircase but with ample storage. In this image, a large storage cupboard can be seen underneath the stairs, making use of otherwise vacant space. Stair designs like this one can be quite large, so utilising the space underneath can help justify its size in smaller homes in the UK. 

Drawer Storage to Maximise Space

Another staircase idea that makes use of its large frame by incorporating draws and cupboards into it. This design works well for homes that have this type of staircase design but haven’t utilised the space underneath it. Most staircases like this in the UK aren’t solid concrete, so there is room for knocking through and transforming this empty area into a handy storage space, freeing up room elsewhere in the hallway and the home 

This small staircase idea can also be incredibly helpful if your staircase is near to the kitchen, as these units can act as a pantry or utensil storage area.

The icing on the cake? Install stair runners, rods and bars to your small staircase

The majority of these staircase ideas for small homes will look great with a stunning stair runner accompanied with words and bars from Stair Rods Direct. They’re easy to install and we offer a wide variety of designs and colours to suit any home. Whether your interior design is more modern and contemporary or something older and more traditional, we know that we’ll have a runner and bar combination to help finalise your staircase design. 

Take a look at our stair runners and bars to help inspire more staircase ideas for your small house.