Design Question

I have been building a new house, classic design and don’t know what kind of stairs to put in. Everybody does oak, but I’m not sure. I would love to put in something more traditional, perhaps with mahogany and painted wood. But scared it will not to be to everyone’s taste. Thanks for this useful posting (Designer Bathroom).

Design Answer

You don’t specify whether you are building the house for yourself or for the purpose of selling it. If you will be living in the house, my initial response is to go with what you prefer. However, if you are building the house to sell rather than to live in it, then it makes sense to make style choices that will have a broad appeal, particularly regarding the stairs, since they tend to be the focal point of the entryway or hallway and are the first thing people notice when entering a home.

Common construction materials for wood staircases are red oak, white oak, beech, poplar, cherry, hickory, walnut and mahogany. There are other things to consider as well. The components of a staircase and how they all work together will either enhance your home’s interior or make the stairwell stick out rather than stand out. If you do prefer mahogany with painted wood accents, choose a balustrade (the row of balusters or vertical posts that form the more decorate part of the staircase) that is simple in design rather than something like turned spindles, which might make the staircase appear “heavier” or darker.

But keep in mind that you can’t please everyone. For example, I personally don’t like oak and would not purchase a home that had oak cabinets in the kitchen or a lighter wood staircase. That’s because I prefer darker woods like mahogany and walnut. Traditional style or design is typically associated with darker woods and finishes such as mahogany, while contemporary and modern styles are more often linked to light to medium light to medium colored woods. Because it does essentially come down to personal taste, the way to decide what kind of wood to choose for your staircase is to determine what is ultimately in the best interest of the house – its overall style and design or the look you want to achieve.

Thanks for writing in. Keep sending me your design questions, and especially if you’re asking for advice regarding wall color, tips on rearranging a specific room etc., remember to include pictures if you can.