Garden stairs are not just a functional thing, they should highlight the style and polish the decor, and sometimes even become a focal point in your space. If you hesitate how to add interest and eye-catchiness to your modern or minimalist outdoor space, there’s a brilliant idea: floating stairs. Floating stairs, also known as cantilevered stairs or open riser stairs, are a modern and stylish design choice for staircases. Let’s consider some pros and cons of such staircases.
Pros Of Floating Outdoor Steps
Floating stairs have a sleek and contemporary look that can enhance the overall appearance of a space. They create a sense of openness and can make a room feel more spacious. Floating stairs can serve as a focal point in a room and make a bold architectural statement. They are often considered a design feature rather than just a functional element. To soften the look of your floating steps you may add groundcovers, succulents and blooms between the steps making your staircase a spectacular feature.
Because of their open riser design, floating stairs allow light to pass through, which can help make a space feel brighter and more open. For even more illumination, you can build in some lights into the stairs themselves or place the light between the steps.
Floating stairs can be customized in terms of materials, finishes, and design details to suit the aesthetic preferences of the homeowner or designer. The most popular materials for such steps are concrete, stone, wood and even glass.
Floating stairs take up less visual space compared to traditional stairs with solid risers, making them a good choice for small spaces or areas where you want to maintain an open feel. This minimal visual footprint can make a garden or outdoor area feel larger and less cluttered.
A precast concrete staircase going into floating steps, with greenery and a trellis with climbers along it.
A concrete floating staircase with metal railing brings that modern feel to the garden, and grasses along it make a perfect backdrop.
Concrete floating steps are always a good idea for a modern space, they feel lightweight and look clean and edgy.
Concrete floating steps line dup with bold blooms will be a nice front staircase leading to the entrance, they will add to the aesthetics.
A contemporary yard with concrete floating steps lined up with greenery and lamps for comfortable walking.
Light-colored concrete steps lined up with outdoor lamps are amazing for the garden.
Add visual interest to your outdoor space with concrete floating steps with built-in lights, they will instantly spruce up the space.
Concrete floating steps with lots of rocks around and black outdoor lamps add texture and interest to the modern garden.
An edgy minimalist backyard with a concrete staircase with glass railing, lights, white pebbles and a living fence of bamboo.
Concrete steps and green groundcovers between them look floating as the greenery covers the base of the staircase.
Floating concrete steps lined up with green shrubs and usual greenery are amazing for a modern outdoor space.
A spectacular contemporary garden with lots of greenery, shrubs and trees, with rocks and floating concrete steps.
Concrete steps and rocks at the base plus a raised garden bed with bamboo are amazing for composing a modern outdoor space.
Concrete floating steps lined up with elegant shrubs are a great idea for a minimalist garden.
Creatively arranged concrete floating steps dominating the space are lined up with greenery, trees and some shrubs.
Dark concrete steps lined up with black rubble and neutral sand for a contrast is a catchy feature in the outdoor space.
A floating concrete staircase lined up with extremely lush greenery and blooms is a perfect addition to the modern garden.
A chic modern porch done with floating concrete steps, raised garden beds with terrazzo edging is a cool and polished space.
Floating white concrete steps with built-in lights will raise the design of your garden to a new level.
Metal and glass steps seem really floating in the air, and a lush living wall adds to the modern and cool look.
Cons Of Floating Outdoor Steps
Floating stairs can be more expensive to design and build compared to traditional stairs due to the complexity of the engineering required to support the treads without visible means of support.
The open riser design of floating stairs can pose a safety hazard, especially for children or pets who may be more prone to slipping or falling through the gaps. Building codes may require additional safety measures such as adding a railing or glass panels.
Floating stairs can be noisier than traditional stairs, as the lack of solid risers can amplify the sound of footsteps.
Cleaning floating stairs can be more challenging due to the open design, as dust and debris may accumulate on the treads and be harder to remove.
While floating stairs offer a modern aesthetic, they may not be suitable for all architectural styles or preferences. Traditional or more classic design schemes may not pair well with floating stairs.
In certain layouts, floating stairs might allow views from one level to another, potentially impacting privacy.
Grey stone floating steps lined up with white pebbles, greenery and white blooms to finish off a modern landscape.
Grey terrazzo floating steps match a modern outdoor space, feature texture and add interest to the space.
Terrazzo floating steps will add to the style of the space, and greenery along them refresh the space and make it cooler.
White floating concrete steps lined up with lush greenery, succulents are a perfect match for a modern outdoor space.
Light-stained wood floating steps are a perfect match for a cabin in the wood, and lights built-in will make walking safe at night.
A rich-stained floating staircase with lush greenery and blooms along it is a cool and catchy idea for a modern garden, and wood looks softer than stone.
A small terrazzo floating staircase seems to be flying over the green lawn and matches the modern facade of the house.
Stained wood floating steps lined up with ferns, blooms and greenery add a modern feel to the space and look quite natural at the same time.
A stone floating staircase lined up with greenery and shrubs, it seems to be sinking in the greenery that softens the look.
White stone floating stairs lined up with bold shrubs and trees are great for a mid-century modern home and fit the aesthetics perfectly.
Stone floating steps and greenery and small shrubs are great for a modern garden, they look clean and sleek.
Stone floating steps with greenery and trees around and a small slot of greenery right in the paver.
A terrazzo floating staircase lined up with greenery and grasses will make entrance to the modern house cooler and add curb appeal.
Uniquely shaped terrazzo floating stairs will add texture, interest and shape to the outdoor space, and they seem to be really floating.
Large scale terrazzo floating steps lined up with grasses are a cool addition to this modern and laconic outdoor space.
White paver floating steps lined up with grasses and blooms match the neutral terrace.
White terrazzo floating steps juxtapose the dark walls, rocks and greenery add to the style of the front yard.
Wooden floating stairs and grasses are a great idea for a modern garden, wood is pleasant to walk on and looks soft.
Wooden floating steps and grasses create a beautiful landscape with a modern feel.
Wooden floating steps with lights going into concrete pavers and greenery.
Wooden slab floating steps with built-in lights and greenery and blooms along them are adorable for a modern and bright outdoor space.