Design Around Your Open Basement Staircase

Image: Reside Beige Matte Porcelain Floor Tile from Arizona Tile

Sometimes all facets of design aren’t considered during the first pass, which can be true when talking about a basement, especially the staircase. While this feature may not seem “worthy” of design planning, it’s a space you shouldn’t overlook, especially if you have an open staircase.

Basements can be incredibly versatile spaces. Sadly, this added space isn’t an option for every geographical setting, like in some southern states, so if you can have one, you should relish it as a luxury! A really great way to help connect your basement space with the rest of our home is with an open staircase. After all, these aren’t “just stairs”; they’re an extension of the room and should be just as aesthetically pleasing as the rest of the space.

Benefits of an Open Staircase

Open staircases can mean two different things: floor-to-ceiling walls, the entire length of the stairwell, or the lack thereof. With no walls this space is typically replaced with balusters, railings, and open-air space above it. The stairs themselves can be open or closed risers instead of the traditional stair design. For the sake of clarity, we will be talking about closed riser staircases with balusters (or something similar) and railings. However, regardless of your preferred staircase design… for safety, functionality, and aesthetics, the products we discuss can adapt to many different staircase designs.

An open staircase does wonders to transform a space. This may be a rather simple concept, yet one that offers big rewards. First off, the movement of natural light throughout a room is an important consideration. Walls can have an undesirable way of blocking light and airflow. However, without that unappealing wall, the space is brighter, the air is more free-flowing, and the room can feel more spacious. In your basement, this modern design can be essential as these spaces are notoriously known for being darker, and closed-off. An open staircase is just one element to help open things up and add a more open-concept to the design.

Image: Cementine Posa 1, Cementine Posa 2, Cementine Posa 3, Cementine Posa 4 Porcelain Pattern Tile Stairs from Arizona Tile

Tying the Space Together

Tile is a beautiful way to connect areas of the home or business by using the same tile or complimentary tile on and around the stairs. Considering your basement’s primary purpose will aid in your tile selection. Will this be a space for adults to gather, kids to play, or your home office, etc.? Do you have a walk-out basement that connects to a patio? Are there a decent number of windows in your basement, or only egress windows? These are just some of the questions to ask yourself (and your design partner) before you begin your planning.

Design Purpose Considerations

Tile comes in all different colors, sizes, and designs. Being realistic about your application will keep you happier for longer. If your basement is a home office, your design can focus more on aesthetics vs. functionality. Your open staircase can begin and flow through the room with a light, bright porcelain tile like Tru Marmi. Made to emulate natural stone—including marble—your design will touch on a sense of luxury and sophistication.

Using light-colored tile can require more day-to-day cleaning—basic cleaning, however, like sweeping/mopping—but given the potential for low traffic in this area, you’re spared the frequent need. This advantage allows you to make a more realistic selection of stunning tile like Tru Marmi. Add an elegant baluster and railing to your open staircase, like black iron or glass, and watch your basement transform into a welcoming office space that energizes and inspires.

Image: Tru Marmi Extra Matte 24×48 Porcelain Entryway Floor Tile from Arizona Tile

If there’s potential for a considerable number of people passing through your basement, your floor selection should be presentable and maintainable. Reside USA porcelain tile is a stellar pick if you like a more modern design. Is there a playroom in your basement or an adult-gathering space, like a sports-themed bar? Even a walkout area that connects to a patio or pool area? Reside USA can handle it all.

From light to dark options, this large-format tile (meaning it has a dimensional length greater than 15”) has several advantages. It adds an expansive appearance, makes cleaning easier (because of the fewer grout lines), makes messes less visible, and even provides added safety through its R11 Anti-Slip Finish—great around a pool, be it inside or outside. The R11 Anti-Slip Finish is a gripped surface atop the tile that helps lower slippery scenarios, all without altering its appearance.

Open Basement Stairway Tile Patterns

Adding patterned tile offers beautiful flair and a focal area, like on your stair risers. Whether your design is subtle or more emphasized, it doesn’t get much better than Cementine Posa for such a task. In five color options, this porcelain series provides charm and elegance with a vintage feel. Placing this tile on your basement stair risers adds an unexpected pop of color and a creative touch.

Image: Paros Black & White 12×12 Porcelain Floor Tile from Arizona Tile

Another way to add a pattern is using a shaped tile like Paros. This hexagon tile provides a sense of dimension and detail. Use one color in the series or multiple colors to emphasize your theme, be it modern or industrial. For a more industrial appearance, pair Paros with Reflexion tile.

The Reflexion series has a shimmering look of metal combined with a mood of concrete. Want to hint further toward an industrial aesthetic? Use horizontal aluminum balusters that run parallel with the railing, as opposed to the “typical” vertical installation. To hint more toward a modern design, you can stick with simple, thin vertical aluminum/iron balusters or a petite, wooden option. No matter which design you decide best suits your needs, you should certainly also consider safety and functionality.

Image: Reflexion Mercury 24×48 Large-format Porcelain Floor Tile from Arizona Tile

Don’t Stop at the Stairs

There are many other ways to dress up your basement, like walls and countertop surfaces. We have the tile and stone products needed for most of your surface-area needs. Our new Della Terra^® Porcelain Slabs are perhaps our most versatile product for both commercial and residential settings. For more valuable information and inspiration, have a look at the ideas in these blogs: Modern Stair Tile Trends, and Small Entryway Tile Ideas.

To see our products in a specific setting, try our Just Imagine Tile and Slab Visualizer. When you can, stop by an Arizona Tile store or slab yard to see the products in person, and, if you have questions, please reach out to us!