A large staircase descends into a grand foyer and is designed with black wooden handrails and steps, white balusters and posts, and a grey carpet runner. Beside the stairs is a brown wooden sideboard with ample storage space, decorated with accent lights and multi-colored vases. A long silver mirror is mounted above the sideboard.
30 Modern Staircase Ideas for Eye-Catching Entryways
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Published: February 11, 2023
Updated: November 30, 2023
Updating a staircase with modern features can instantly transform a space, let in more light, and ultimately reflect the style of your home. Often, staircases are an under-considered component of the home, even though they pack a punch in terms of both functionality and style.
Creating a modern staircase look can be done in a multitude of ways. One way is to update the handrails, balusters, and posts with neutral colors, light wood, and sleek, clean lines. Horizontal balusters, for instance, instantly create a modern-looking staircase. Opting for lighter colors and thin balusters also has the benefit of allowing light in.
Another option is to choose a modern staircase runner –a type of carpet that is often applied on hardwood steps for grip and warmth but doesn’t extend across the full steps. Choosing a runner with a neutral color or a geometric pattern can add a personalized and modern touch.
For a collection of ideas on how to modernize your staircase, keep reading!
02 of Bright and Modern Farmhouse Staircase With Black Balusters
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This modern home features an open white staircase with black iron rod spindles and neutral carpeting on the steps. The light neutral floor brings warmth to the bright white walls. A wooden oak console table at the base of the stairs features exposed storage with striped ottomans tucked underneath.
03 of Warm Wooden Staircase in Airy Living Room
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This bright and airy living room features a warm wooden staircase with black iron spindles and a gray carpet runner. Tall, paneled walls draw the eye upwards towards the second floor. Comfortable neutral couches are centered around a rectangular white oak coffee table, creating a relaxing and modern space.
04 of Classy Farmhouse Staircase With Black Handrail
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This beautiful and elegant home features a curved white staircase with white spindles and a dark wooden handrail. The staircase enters down into a comfortable foyer, styled with a light wood side table and French country accent chair. A large feature wall is arranged with framed black and white photographs over a gray tufted bench.
05 of Modern Staircase Ideas With Shiplap Accent Wall
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This bright landing is designed with a white shiplap accent wall that extends downwards, mirroring the warm wooden steps. A wooden handrail and black metal balusters lead toward the stairs and meet a modern white post.
06 of Bright Modern Farmhouse Staircase in Entryway
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This farmhouse entryway features warm wood floors that match the wooden handrails of the staircase. The staircase is designed with white balusters and cream carpeting on the steps. Nestled in between a shiplap accent wall is a small window seat decorated with a checkered cushion.
07 of Wooden Staircase With Modern Balusters
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This gorgeous farmhouse home has light gray colored floors that match the steps, posts, and handrails of the staircase. White risers are a lovely contrast to dark black balusters and other black finishes in the space. Board and batten accent walls are featured throughout the home, adding a modern touch.
08 of Airy Foyer with Shiplap Wall
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Double French doors with glass inserts are decorated with matching green wreaths on this home’s exterior. The doors open into a tall foyer designed with a white shiplap wall, white staircase risers, and wood treads. A black wrought iron railing creates the perfect blend of modern and traditional.
09 of Warm Wooden Farmhouse Staircase Gallery Wall
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A bright farmhouse with cream-colored walls features a staircase designed with dark wooden handrails and brown carpet on the steps. Framed family photos are arranged above the wall-mounted banister, creating a unique and personalized space.
10 of Grand Staircase in Large Foyer
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- lifeasmrsbuilder
A gorgeous grand entryway features a curved staircase with dark wooden handrails and steps, as well as white risers for a luxurious and contrasting look. A white paneled wall rises from the first to the second floor creating cohesion between the floors. A tropical plant rests in the corner on a white and gray marble floor.
11 of Modern Black and Wood Holiday Staircase Design
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This modern home features an open and airy staircase with light wood handrails and steps and thin black balustrades. The stairs are decorated with a natural pine garland for a modern and festive look. The stairs lead into a welcoming farmhouse living room with a large, angular leather tan couch, a wooden coffee table, and a soft white area rug.
12 of Modern Light Oak Staircase Idea With White Balusters
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Bright, winding staircase with light-colored oak landings and handrails, and clean white balusters. Geometric brown and white carpeting lines the oak steps adding warmth and texture.
13 of White and Dark Wood Modern Staircase
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This sleek staircase features dark wooden steps and white risers. A beautiful white post meets the handrails and black balusters for a classic and elegant look. A dotted, white and black runner lines the entryway of this home.
14 of Cozy Farmhouse With Modern Staircase
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This large and airy home features a winding staircase with wooden handrails and steps, and thin black metal spindles, creating a contrasting and modern look. The house features other modern farmhouse designs, including clean wooden double doors and a board and batten accent wall in the entryway. Striped accent chairs are arranged in front of a wooden coffee table decorated with fall foliage in the living room.
15 of Black and White Modern Staircase Idea
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A modern farmhouse living room has a multi-level staircase, with black handrails and spindles, and wooden steps. A candle-style wagon wheel chandelier hangs over a large wooden coffee table centered over layered natural rugs. Rustic and modern accent chairs with cream cushions face the coffee table.
16 of Modern Staircase With Horizontal Balusters
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This staircase features horizontal black balusters for a unique and modern look. Wooden handrails and white risers add to the modern look. A large barn door with black finishes greets visitors at the top of the stairs.
17 of Modern Black and White Staircase With Gray Carpet
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A blue-themed foyer features a stylish staircase with dark wooden handrails, modern square iron balusters, and light gray carpeted steps. A beaded farmhouse chandelier is centered over an antique white and blue patterned area rug. A slim blue loveseat rests in the nook under the stairs and is styled with accent pillows and a knit throw.
18 of Bright Modern Staircase With Dark Wood Handrails
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A beautiful modern farmhouse features a staircase with dark wooden handrails, warm wood steps, and white spindles. Framed black and white family photos are arranged over the steps, creating a beautiful family gallery wall. A potted plant rests on the landing, adding a calming and natural element to the staircase.
19 of Charming Modern Farmhouse Staircase Idea
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This charming living room features a large modern staircase with dark brown handrails and black metal spindles. An ornate silver console table rests below the staircase and is decorated with a gray stone lamp, a potted plant, and a stack of books. A light gray couch rests in the foreground.
20 of Brown and White Farmhouse Entryway Staircase
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This cozy farmhouse foyer features an elegant staircase with brown wood steps, white risers, and black iron spindles. A white shiplap accent half wall rises with the stairs, matching the shiplap on the lower level foyer. A slim black console table rests in the entryway and is decorated with fall foliage in a galvanized silver vase.
21 of Modern Staircase With Horizontal Black Balusters
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This home features a striking staircase, designed with dark wooden handrails, wooden steps, and horizontal black balusters for a modern look. A modern white couch and a circular light wood coffee table rest on a geometric area rug at the foot of the stairs. A black side table is styled with a contemporary ceramic table light.
22 of White Board and Batten Room with Curved Staircase
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A gold wagon wheel chandelier hangs over a large white room with wainscotting on the walls. White stairs with light wood treads and a black banister lead down to a sitting room with white sofas and chairs. Light wood flooring covers the space.
23 of Modern Farmhouse Staircase With Festive Décor
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A modern, festive staircase is decorated with a glowing pine garland wrapped around a wooden handrail. The stairs are designed with dark wooden steps and white risers with black balusters. Large wooden letters adorn the stairs, creating a magical Christmas space.
24 of Light Wood Staircase Trim with Geometric Runner
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Interior designer Huong Vu offers a fresh perspective on the modern staircase design, emphasizing the importance of cohesive detailing. “The wood trim detail in this modern staircase is carried through to the window sill,” she says. This intentional design choice crafts a unified aesthetic that seamlessly integrates with the expansive window, bathing the space in natural light.
The organic feel of the wood is further accentuated by the stark contrast of the monochromatic elements, which Vu suggests, “enhances the staircase’s clean lines.” This idea is beautifully brought to life through the example of a staircase adorned with a brown and white geometric runner over light hardwood treads.
25 of Modern Home With Dark Brown Staircase
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This home features a staircase with dark brown wooden handrails, black metal spindles, and beige carpeted steps. Beside the stairs is a light, modern woven sideboard decorated with framed prints, a stack of books, and a plant in a concrete pot.
26 of Twisted Black Iron Stair Spindles
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An antique dresser is nestled in the curve of this staircase, decorated with a vintage lamp, a modern round mirror, and pink flowers. The staircase features white risers and light, wood treats with a black handrail and twisted iron stair spindles.
27 of Modern Black Staircase With Hanging Light
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This lovely new home features a modern staircase with horizontal black balustrades and plush gray carpeted steps. Above the steps is an eye-catching hanging light, with geometric lines, illuminating the high ceilings.
28 of Light Wood Modern Staircase Ideas
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A winding modern staircase features beautiful oak steps, oak handrails, and black metal balusters. The warm colors of the stairs add interest and contrast against the bright white walls. A marble coffee table rests in the foyer below, next to a tan leather armchair.
29 of Black Modern Staircase Inspiration
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A black staircase features modern balusters with long rectangles, creating a clean, streamlined look. The top of the stairway is styled with a black wooden console table with black candlesticks, gold rabbits and branches in a natural stone pot. A circular black mirror is mounted to a white shiplap wall.
30 of Contemporary Black Box Stair Spindles
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The most striking feature of this staircase is the contemporary black box spindles that create a modern look. The handrail is painted white and a unique black light fixture hangs above the front door.
