The Stair Design Trend That Is Seriously Outdating Your Modern Home

Whether a major feature of the entryway or tucked to the sides of the home, the staircase offers lots of design potential. Stair design should feel continuous and intentional, much like how the staircase itself connects multiple levels of the home. Homeowners can use the stairs as a canvas for decorative touches by choosing from a range of materials, colors, and textures to feature. Like all components of interior design, stair visual trends move in and out of fashion. Stairs with heavy ornate scrolls are a once-popular trend that are currently considered a tacky turnoff. 

Ornate scrolls consist of large curved structures imprinted into the railing to add visual appeal on the banister. They were commonly seen in black or white wrought iron, a style that dominated the early 2000s. The scrolls lent themselves to a bit of romanticism by including a hint of European style. But with no other matching elements in the home, the sizable scrolls stick out like a sore thumb and come off as impersonal. The harsh design can draw the eye downward to make the space feel short and cramped. 

Large scrolls can overwhelm the staircase and look gaudy. This is true of many experimental designs, which are risky, as they can quickly be deemed too niche and not appeal to the masses. When in doubt, opt for classic designs that will stand the test of time on the staircase. 

Decorative designs can elevate a staircase to look opulent or to fit with a specific aesthetic. But when it comes to the overall value of the home, ornate scrolls may do more harm than good. This whimsical design makes the home appear old-fashioned and will look out of place among modern interiors. 

Instead, look at ways to include texture when updating your stairs. Consider adding a stunning and soft runner to cascade over the stairs, or invest in a timeless crown molding detail that feels exclusive and elegant. Fixtures like bookshelves or large plants can be used as a bold idea to customize your stairs for a new look in 2025. Updating the lighting is a fashionable and functional way to decorate the staircase landing and transform the space. On the walls that your stairs follow around, display family photos in artistic frames for a personal touch.

Rather than chaotic curved lines, clean lines are favored at the moment. The simplicity lends itself to minimalism but also feels international and practical in a way that is attractive and uncluttered. This is especially useful on wood staircases, as the enduring material allows for organic and natural hardwood textures to be the star of the show.