Floating Stairs for Split-Level Homes: Design Considerations and Inspiration

Split-level homes have a unique charm. But these layouts also present challenges. Especially when it comes to upgrading or renovating with staircases. 

More homeowners are now exploring floating staircase ideas to bring light, openness, and a modern aesthetic to their homes. A well-designed floating staircase doesn’t just link floors. It transforms how a home is experienced, balancing function with architectural flair.

The combination of materials plays a big role in this effect. Think of timber treads for warmth, steel supports for strength, and a glass staircase balustrade to enhance transparency and modernity.

Whether you’re renovating a mid-century split-level or designing a contemporary new build, understanding layout, safety, and materials is key. In this blog, we’ll explore the considerations for floating stairs design, inspire your next upgrade, and highlight how these elements can enhance your split-level floor plans.

Why Floating Stairs Suit Split-Level Homes

A split-level house is defined by its staggered floor heights. Picture this: living areas a half-level up, bedrooms tucked just a few steps away, and basements or garages offset beneath. While this design creates efficient use of space, traditional staircases can feel bulky, breaking the natural rhythm between zones. 

A modern floating stairs solution removes this heaviness. With open treads and a minimal structure, the staircase becomes a light transition that keeps sightlines open across the split levels, allowing the home to feel more fluid and visually connected.

Proportion is another key consideration. In many split-level floor plans, stairs aren’t long flights but short, functional runs that link one area to the next. A floating design gives these compact transitions architectural presence without overwhelming the layout. 

Instead of stairs feeling like interruptions, they become sculptural features that enhance the flow. Guiding movement through the home in a way that feels intentional, seamless, and consistent.

Key Design Considerations

Floating stairs enhance split-level homes with elegance, but they also require thoughtful planning. Balancing structural integrity, safety, and style ensures the staircase is both beautiful and reliable for everyday use.

Structural Integrity

Unlike traditional staircases, floating designs rely on concealed steel supports and precision engineering. This ensures each tread feels solid underfoot while maintaining the illusion of lightness. Professional installation is essential to guarantee long-term strength.

Safety and Comfort

While floating stairs add modern appeal, open risers may not suit households with small children or elderly residents. Options like partial risers or non-slip tread finishes can offer extra security. Careful attention to tread depth, riser height, and handrail placement ensures comfort as well as compliance with safety standards.

Lighting and Atmosphere

The open nature of floating stairs allows natural light to filter across levels. Pairing them with feature windows or skylights brightens transitions, making them feel larger and more welcoming. For evening use, integrated LED lighting beneath treads or along balustrades enhances safety while accentuating the floating effect.

Materials and Style

From warm timber to concrete, steel, and glass-integrated staircase designs, floating stairs adapt to a range of aesthetics. Split-level homes benefit particularly from blended materials. Wood for warmth, glass for transparency, and steel for strength. These combinations create visual contrast while maintaining harmony with the home’s overall palette.

Space Efficiency

In split-level layouts, every square metre matters. Floating stairs make clever use of under-stair areas, whether for built-in shelving, storage, or even a compact workspace. This dual function is particularly valuable in renovations where maximising space is a priority.

Design Inspiration for Split-Level Homes

The versatility of floating stairs makes them an ideal solution for varied split-level layouts. These floating staircase ideas can inspire ways to integrate them seamlessly into your home:

Sleek and Straight

A straight run of floating treads is timeless and works well in narrow transitional spaces. This approach maintains clarity and avoids interrupting sightlines, perfect for compact split-level designs.

L-Shaped Transitions

For homes where levels shift at right angles, L-shaped floating stairs add efficiency while emphasising the split-level character. The turn can become a small feature landing, a perfect spot to highlight art or natural light.

Glass Balustrades for Openness

Adding a glass staircase element enhances transparency, allowing the split-level layout to feel bright and connected. Glass balustrades amplify the floating illusion while maintaining safety and durability. To achieve this balance, it’s essential to work with specialists who understand both design and compliance. In New Zealand, Ackworth House is a trusted name for floating stairs design, engineering staircases that not only meet strict safety standards but also bring lasting elegance to split-level homes.

Sculptural Statements

For those seeking impact, ribbon-style or custom sculptural stairs can transform a transitional space into an architectural feature. These designs work especially well in central zones of the home, where the staircase can be admired from multiple angles.

Material Blends

Mixing timber with steel stringers or incorporating concrete treads with slim metal details creates a striking balance of natural warmth and structural strength. These combinations not only define the look of a floating stairs design but also determine its durability and long-term performance, making them a practical yet stylish choice for split-level homes.

Adding Value Through Modern Design

Updating a split-level house with modern floating stairs isn’t only about aesthetics. It’s an upgrade that can add real value to the property. Buyers today are drawn to open, well-lit interiors, and a staircase that feels architectural rather than bulky makes a strong first impression.

In older split-level floor plans, where dated staircases often dominate, replacing them with a lighter floating design can transform the home’s overall appeal. It signals contemporary living, maximises the sense of space, and enhances marketability without requiring a full-scale renovation.

Ackworth House: Crafting Floating Stairs with Precision

For over four decades, Ackworth House has specialised in custom staircases that bring both form and function into focus. Every project is guided by a commitment to precision, safety, and design integrity; qualities essential for the unique demands of split-level floor plans.

Our Ascendo Series offers a curated range of floating stair designs tailored to modern living. From timber treads that add natural warmth to glass-integrated staircases that amplify openness, each option is engineered to meet New Zealand’s strict construction and safety standards. The result is a staircase that feels as reliable as it looks striking.

Whether your vision is understated or bold, we design staircases that complement the flow of your home while creating a feature that stands the test of time. 

With us, your floating stairs are more than just a connection between floors. They’re a statement of craftsmanship and thoughtful design.