We’re sure that you’ve often seen spiral staircases in public buildings and even in other people’s houses. A spiral staircase design is a round stair system in which separate steps are connected to a central column. Thus, it forms a circle. The diameter of the circle is the diameter of the staircase itself.

This type of round stair design for a home has many uses. In houses with ample space, it can create a grand and palatial effect. In smaller houses, it can connect zones and save space. It can be used for exteriors, and it can be used to descend to basements.

type of round stair designOver the years, spiral staircases have been created in many varieties and sizes. A spiral staircase design needs special planning. The height, number of steps, and position of the column need to be worked out. A lot depends on the space and the intended use.

Now, let’s take a closer look at circular staircase design, and the factors that you should keep in mind. You could say that this is a step-by-step guide to spiral staircase plans for homes.

How Did Spiral Staircases Originate?

There are many notable and impressive examples of spiral staircases across the world. Some memorable ones are to be found in the Loretto Chapel in New Mexico, the Vatican Museum in Rome and the Great Fire Monument in London.

round stairs design

Spiral staircases have a rich and ancient heritage. Some of them are centuries old. The earliest ones were made from stone or marble. These were functional and built into the thick walls of buildings. With time, freestanding spiral stair designs were developed. These are the more modern structures with central pillars.

During the Middle Ages, many castles and cathedrals had grand spiral staircases. In Victorian times, cast iron spiral staircases began to be constructed in homes, too. Many had elaborate designs and homeowners took pride in caring for them.

In our age, spiral staircases continue to be popular in homes. There are many reasons for this. To begin with, they look distinctive, and add character to any interior. They are also cost-effective and save space. There’s no doubt that spiral staircases are timeless structures that are elegant and appealing.

Features of a Spiral Staircase

features of a spiral staircase

What sets a circular staircase design apart? As we have pointed out, the steps rotate around a central point as you move up or down, which makes a spiral design. Do note that this is different from a curved staircase. It’s the central column that is essential for a spiral staircase design.

The other factors of spiral stair plans are:

–    The height of the staircase
–    The diameter of the staircase
–    The location of the staircase in the house
–    The specific function of the staircase
–    The aesthetics and overall style of handrails, steps, etc.

All of these must be considered by those planning to construct a spiral staircase at home. An architect and interior designer will be the best people to help you to arrive at solutions. They will be able to work out the technical features such as:

–    The height, which is a crucial measurement in terms of safety.
–    The number of steps, which depends on the height.
–    The angle of rotation of each step.
–    The width of the stairs, which will form the diameter of the staircase. This depends on the space and the intended use of the staircase.

The way that the final spiral staircase will look depends on all the above. Because of this, there are many types of spiral staircase designs. The one you use could well be unique, the only one of its kind anywhere.

The Advantages of Spiral Staircases

Why should you opt for a spiral staircase in your home? Here are the main reasons and benefits.

Save Space
Spiral staircases don’t need as much area as linear staircases. That means your floor space is optimised and put to best use. This is an important consideration for those in urban homes.

Style and Sophistication
A spiral staircase is a great way to add a distinct, classy touch to your home. As a design statement, it can give your interiors a different accent. It can be a talking point and a source of pride.

Cost and Installation
The cost of a spiral staircase depends on the materials and on whether you build one from scratch. It can be very cost-effective if you choose materials such as metal and wood, and go in for modular or prefabricated staircases.

Safe and Functional
Spiral staircases come with handrails that make them a safer option. They are also functional in the sense that homeowners position them for specific uses.

Some Great Spiral Staircase Designs

Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, let’s look at some stunning examples of circular staircase design. Which one will inspire you to get a spiral staircase in your own home?

White and Wood

Spiral Staircase Designs

An utterly elegant creation that will uplift any corner of the house in which it has been installed.

Modern Metallic

modern metallic staircase

A space-saving, contemporary twist on a classic spiral staircase.

Two-tone Flair

two-tone flair staircase

Metal and wood combine to create an unforgettable set of steps that add class to any décor.

Sleek and Small

sleek and small staircase

Perfect for those places where space is at a premium.

Classic Gold

classic gold staircase

An airy and elegant design with gold accents to enrich your living room.

Functional and Simple

functional and simple staircase

This round stairs design is just right for studio apartments and lofts.

Old World Charm

old world charm staircase

Black metal with a classic banister and other details that spells vintage sophistication.

Sophisticated White

sophisticated white staircase

Spiral staircases can also be used in kitchens and dining areas, as this terrific example shows.

Exterior Charm

exterior charm spiral staircase

Make entrances and exits dramatically with this wrought iron exterior spiral staircase.

Detailed Difference

modern spiral staircase

With many spiral staircases, the details can make a big difference. Notice the railings and the staircase studs on this one, for instance.

How Should You Use a Spiral Staircase?

As you must have noticed from the above examples, there are many ways in which a spiral staircase can be used. Much depends on whether your living space is large or small, or whether you want the staircase in a corner or as a focal point.

Here are some specific use cases for you to consider.

–    Open plan
Many modern spiral staircases have an open design. These are perfect for open-plan homes. They occupy less space and blend in perfectly with the rest of the house.

–    Mezzanine
If you have high ceilings, you can consider a mezzanine for additional lounging or recreational space. A spiral staircase is a perfect way to connect the floor area with the mezzanine.

spiral staircase with mezzanine

–    Studio apartments
In studio apartments where every inch of space has to be considered, a spiral staircase can be a great solution. Higher levels can be created and reaching them will be simple.

–    Exteriors
The wrap-around design of circular stairs means that they have often been used on the exteriors of buildings. In your home, you can think of ways to use a spiral staircase to get to a garden, porch or garage.

–    Cellars
For homes with cellars and basements, spiral staircases are convenient ways to descend to a lower level. They can be discreet and tucked into a corner where they won’t take up much space.

Spiral Staircase Materials

A circular staircase design can take many forms. It all depends on the height and the use to which it will be put. Fortunately, there are a variety of materials available to construct a spiral staircase that will be just right for your needs.

Before you decide on the material you should have an idea of the overall design of the staircase. Will it have open or closed spaces between steps? Will the balustrade be solid or with separate handrails? Will the staircase need to be sturdy and capable of bearing heavy loads?

The answers to these and other questions will help you to choose the right material in consultation with an interior designer.

For the staircase tread, some popular materials are wood, stone, reinforced glass and concrete. Some people like carpeted steps, too.

The design of the balustrade is where a spiral staircase can really come into its own. It could be modern. It could be art deco. It could be elegantly old-fashioned. The possibilities are endless. The materials that can be used are types of metal, wood, and glass.

The final finish and colours depend, of course, on the rest of the interiors and the effect that you want to create, from minimal to ornate to sleek to discreet.

spiral stair plans

Whether it is a spiral staircase or any other flight of steps for your home, the experts at HomeLane have plenty of practical and inspiring advice to suit all your interior décor needs. To begin with, take a look at these living room interior design ideas with a contemporary style. After that, do get in touch for a free design consultation.

FAQs

How much space do you need for a spiral staircase?

The space depends on the location and the use to which it will be put. For example, what will be the daily use, and will it be needed for carrying heavy items? The diameter is the first thing to consider. According to some spiral staircase manufacturers, the minimum opening for the stair should be at least 2” wider than the stair itself. Some of the smallest stairs available are 3 feet 6 inches in diameter. Therefore, according to them, the minimum opening size ought to be 44×44 inches. Your interior décor expert will be able to give you a more accurate estimate after seeing your interior space.

How do you plan a spiral staircase?

First of all, it is important to be clear about building regulations. What sort of construction is allowed, and what load bearing elements will be affected?

After that, here are some factors to keep in mind for your plan.

–    The spiral staircase base, and the area available for this.
–    The number of steps per 360 degrees.
–    The location of the top landing platform.
–    A floor to floor measurement to determine space between steps.
–    The exact design of the staircase.
–    The landing balustrade.
–    The space available for head and banister clearance.

How do you calculate stairs for a spiral staircase?

A spiral staircase design has to be carefully calculated and planned. With spiral as well as circular staircases, you need to take into account the space available, particularly the height. Then you need to work out the space needed for the base and landing area.

The rest of the space can be used to calculate the number of stairs. This can be done by first figuring out the desired height and length of the base of the step, and the space between the steps. These are also referred to as treads and risers, respectively.

How are curved stairs calculated?

Here are the elements needed to make the calculation:

–    The overall height.
–    The staircase diameter, depending on the breadth of the area.
–    The diameter of the columns.
–    The thickness of the steps.
–    The number of steps. (For more information on this, you can check the answer above.)
–    The desired angles of the steps.
–    The headroom.

Other advanced parameters for curved stairs include estimating what is known as the walkline. This is a line on the plan of the staircase on which treads are of uniform width. It is considered to be the ordinary path taken by a person walking on the stairs.

How do you lay out round stairs?

Much of this has already been covered in the earlier answers above. Here is one more way to keep in mind.

–    Estimate the location of the top and bottom steps. For proper head clearance, the circular stairway should rotate about 360-degrees between floors. Entry and exit points should be considered for easy access.
–    Measure the distance between the surfaces of the first and second floors.
–    Divide the distance between floors by the desired amount of rise for each step.
–    Measure the width available for the stairway. The width and depth of the treads will naturally increase with an increase in overall width.
–    To determine the circumference of the staircase, multiply the width by pi, which is 3.14.
–    Divide this circumference by the number of treads. You will get the width of the outer edge of the stairway. The dimension will be determined by the size of the attachment to the central pillar.

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