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
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)
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
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)
Crossy schrieb:
Without children, I would definitely install a stylish straight-run "show" staircase in the living area. In my opinion, a classic show staircase would more likely be curved.
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J
j.bautsch2 Jul 2018 07:03My parents-in-law have a staircase in the kitchen and dining area, leading up to a gallery, so half of the room has double ceiling height. It looks impressive, and they can fit a huge Christmas tree there (I believe the tallest one they ever had was about 4 meters (13 feet) tall :P).
They bought the house and would never have designed it like this themselves. Especially when the kids were still living in the house (regardless of their age), they really disliked it—mainly because of the noise issues.
Now that the kids have moved out, it’s no big problem anymore since the noise level on the ground floor during regular game nights no longer disturbs anyone.
They bought the house and would never have designed it like this themselves. Especially when the kids were still living in the house (regardless of their age), they really disliked it—mainly because of the noise issues.
Now that the kids have moved out, it’s no big problem anymore since the noise level on the ground floor during regular game nights no longer disturbs anyone.
We intentionally designed it this way: the staircase to the upper floor starts from the living area, while the stairs to the basement come off the hallway/entrance area. Upstairs, we have a gallery above the dining area, which we consider part of the living space and is connected to the living area on the ground floor by the staircase.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough space for a straight showcase staircase, so it’s a quarter-turn staircase and not open because we also have a basement.
However, we don’t have children (though most children I know play in the living room anyway), and our private area (bedroom/dressing room/bathroom) is connected, so I don’t have to walk across the gallery to the bathroom in my nightwear—I go through the dressing room instead.
Maybe a desk will go in the gallery someday, or I might use it as a painting space.
Unfortunately, we didn’t have enough space for a straight showcase staircase, so it’s a quarter-turn staircase and not open because we also have a basement.
However, we don’t have children (though most children I know play in the living room anyway), and our private area (bedroom/dressing room/bathroom) is connected, so I don’t have to walk across the gallery to the bathroom in my nightwear—I go through the dressing room instead.
Maybe a desk will go in the gallery someday, or I might use it as a painting space.
I’m also a bit puzzled about the "noise from children" issue. The kids’ rooms actually have doors that can be closed. The older they get, the more often the doors are closed. The little ones usually prefer to play in the living room with the parents anyway, right? And if the kids neither close their doors nor are downstairs, would having the stairway in the hallway really solve the problem? *scratches head*
I also voted against it, although our staircase currently leads into the hallway, and there is only an open passageway—no door—between the hallway and the living room. However, a door could be installed there at any time.
I think the issue is more about friends going up and down noisily or loud music being played upstairs, so that the TV in the living room can no longer be heard properly. In that case, a few walls and doors in between do make a difference.
Conversely, the children might be sensitive to noise when sleeping if the TV is still on in the living room or if a partner regularly works night shifts, and so on.
kaho674 schrieb:
I’m also a bit puzzled about the “children noise problem.” The children’s rooms actually have doors, so they could be closed. The older they get, the more the doors are closed. The little ones anyway prefer to play in the living room with their parents, right? And if the kids neither close their doors nor are downstairs anyway, would the staircase in the hallway really solve the problem? *head scratch*
I think the issue is more about friends going up and down noisily or loud music being played upstairs, so that the TV in the living room can no longer be heard properly. In that case, a few walls and doors in between do make a difference.
Conversely, the children might be sensitive to noise when sleeping if the TV is still on in the living room or if a partner regularly works night shifts, and so on.
J
j.bautsch2 Jul 2018 14:39No, it is meant that the children are disturbed, as the sound carries much more easily when everything is so open. But maybe my parents-in-law’s house is also poorly insulated in that regard. The kids sometimes really couldn’t sleep when the parents downstairs had a glass of wine too many and argued about who got robbed how many times by the robber in Catan. Perhaps it’s also because almost every family member already has a light and rather disturbed sleep.
But my mother-in-law also said that she could always hear exactly which child came home late at night because the staircase leads directly up to their bedroom, and you can hear it quite clearly. I think that’s also because the staircase creaks a lot, but I’m not sure.
But my mother-in-law also said that she could always hear exactly which child came home late at night because the staircase leads directly up to their bedroom, and you can hear it quite clearly. I think that’s also because the staircase creaks a lot, but I’m not sure.
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