Floating Stairwell

• A floating stairwell is a series of wide rectangular pieces of wood or stone installed on the wall to create a staircase. The design makes the steps appear as if they're suspended in air, since there isn't a banister or additional wood or stone underneath each step. A floating staircase is visually impressive and can serve as one of your home's most extraordinary features, no matter what colors you choose for the steps. For instance, a home with a modern design theme will look even more appealing with black steps along a white wall, or vice versa.
  
  

Carpeted Stairwell

• Give your stairwell a classy or elegant feel by adding a strip of carpet down the center that fits with your decorative scheme. For a traditional or colonial home adorned with both neutral and jewel tones, emerald-green carpet in a plush material will complement a medium-brown wooden staircase nicely. If you prefer more rustic or country-style decor, a tweed strip of carpet for the stairwell in a simple pattern such as horizontal stripes will bring more attention to the staircase and lend additional texture to the wooden stairs and flooring.
  
  

Stairwell Railing

• The railing for your staircase can serve as the sole decorative feature for this portion of the home. Sleek, modern stairs will look even more remarkable with glass railing; the railing also appears slightly invisible, which fits the minimalist theme associated with modern style. Railing in a much darker shade than the walls or actual stairs is striking as well but will still maintain a monochromatic look. For example, an amber-colored railing on a staircase against a vanilla-brown wall stand out and bring more attention to light-brown stairs without overwhelming the small area with too much color.
  
  

Shelves and Artwork Along Stairwells

• Installing shelves along the stairwell will definitely draw the eye to this section of your home, and they provide another place to store books and small candles if you live in a small space. Adorning the wall directly next to the stairwell with themed photos is another way to make this area more appealing. For instance, enlarge pictures of your friends and family and give them a sepia finish before housing them in antique frames that complement black-walnut wood of stairs and railing. Or, hang pictures of your children in brightly colored frames in red and green along a white wall to provide a burst of color along a staircase made from near-white or light-tan wood.