ᐅ Staircase in the Living Room as a Trend – Pros and Cons?

Created on: 29 Jun 2018 12:01
K
kaho674
The staircase planned open into the living area is becoming more common again in modern floor plans. It’s not to everyone’s taste and isn’t always practical. But it can also greatly enhance the overall layout.

What do you think of this idea? What are the advantages and disadvantages of having the staircase in the living/dining area?
Here are a few examples:

Fingerhaus Fino 300, Danwood Park 181

Two-story floor plan: ground floor with living room/kitchen, upper floor with bedrooms/bathroom.

Open living area with dining table, chairs, and modern wooden and metal staircase.

Floor plan PARK 181W: ground floor with living room, kitchen, and hallway; upper floor with rooms and bathroom.


Advantages
- often frees up space in the entrance area or sometimes even creates an additional room
- the upper rooms become more integrated into everyday life
- high-quality staircases become a focal point and can elevate the room’s appearance

Disadvantages
- noise from upstairs is always present throughout the house
- kitchen odors require an efficient ventilation system
- children’s guests inevitably meet the whole family (which can also be an advantage)
H
hampshire
30 Jun 2018 14:00
An open folded truss staircase is a sculpture that makes an impression from every angle. Either omit the railing to open up the space or design it to be as delicate and minimal as possible.
A
Alex85
30 Jun 2018 14:39

Staircase in the living / dining area – pros and cons?


Against.

Nice, but impractical.
A
Anoxio
30 Jun 2018 15:36
I’m actually against that too. Personally, I don’t find staircases attractive, no matter how modern or high-quality they are. In our home, the staircase starts from the hallway on the ground floor and leads up to the gallery area where our home gym is located. It’s not ideal, but it will be changed. Then there is a separate stairwell.

For me, such a completely open design doesn’t create a feeling of coziness—I also don’t like open-plan kitchens that connect directly to the living room for that reason. When I’m sitting on the couch in the evening, I want peace and quiet without seeing or hearing anything else.
N
Nordlys
30 Jun 2018 15:39
I agree with the previous speaker. Against having stairs in the living room.
C
Curly
30 Jun 2018 16:04
I also don’t like having stairs in the living area. Although I find it visually appealing, with children it becomes too noisy and uncomfortable when sitting on the sofa. In our home, the stairs are used very often in the evening because the children go to the kitchen, so I’m glad they are located far from the sofa.

Best regards,
Sabine
C
Crossy
1 Jul 2018 14:41
We currently have an open staircase in our rental house. It looks nice, but with two small children, it’s extremely impractical. Our kids are quite sensitive to noise, and in the evenings, we already try to move around quietly. Therefore, this type of staircase is not an option for us in the new build.

Without children, however, I would definitely consider installing a stylish straight-run "show" staircase in the living area. It really looks great.