In many homes, the staircase is regarded as purely functional – a way to get from one floor to another. Being a sucker for a good staircase, I think that’s a terrible shame! With a bit of creativity, the stairs can be a focal point of your home even if you don’t have a structurally gorgeous set like this one:

I’ve always dreamed of a sweeping double staircase. Too bad I don’t have the salary to get me a house with one!

But it’s okay – there are lots of ways to turn a drab staircase into a fab one. Check out these design ideas and add some flair to your stairs!

DIY stair design

If you are not in the market for an entirely new staircase, you can spruce up your existing one pretty easily.

I love the clean, sharp look of two-tone stairs, with one color for the step surface and another on the risers. Coordinate the railing for a complete two-tone staircase:

Storage staircases

If you’re short on storage space, the staircase is often a treasure trove of extra room (no, don’t keep your nephew in there a la Harry Potter).

Use it for book storage (bonus: grab a book on your way up to bed!):

Build clever multilevel storage into otherwise wasted space:

You can even tuck a bathroom under there!

Have you ever come across a fun, unusual, or exceptionally beautiful staircase? I want to see it!