Floating & Cantilever Staircases

Make a statement with a bespoke floating staircase from Paradigm Stairs. Our cantilever designs bring light, space and a sense of craftsmanship to any home or commercial interior — designed, engineered and installed to last. WORK WITH US

A staircase is usually the first thing you see when you walk into a building, so it’s worth making it memorable. Floating stairs — also known as cantilever stairs — do exactly that. Rather than simply connecting two floors, they become a sculptural centrepiece that lifts the whole space around them.

Whether you’re opening up a family home or finishing a sleek commercial fit-out, a cantilever staircase delivers impact without clutter. Here’s what makes them special, and how we bring them to life.

What are floating stairs?

Floating stairs are a contemporary staircase design in which the treads appear to hang in mid-air. Instead of relying on visible stringers or supporting frames, the treads are carried by a concealed structure — typically a hidden steel spine or treads fixed into a load-bearing wall — so nothing interrupts the clean, open line of the stairs.

That hidden engineering is the whole point. It lets the treads feel light and airy while remaining completely solid underfoot, and it opens the door to a wide range of materials and finishes, from warm timber to structural glass. The result is a staircase that feels open and sculptural yet thoroughly robust — equally at home in a modern house or a design-led workspace.

Because every set of treads, balustrades and fixings can be tailored, no two floating staircases are alike. From straight flights to gentle curves, each one is built around your space and your style.

Why choose a floating staircase?

A cantilever staircase is more than an architectural trend. It changes how a space looks and feels, and it can add real value to your property.

A striking design statement

Floating stairs turn a functional necessity into a focal point. With clean lines and no bulky supports, they bring a sense of calm, considered luxury to a room — the kind of detail visitors notice and remember.

More light and a greater sense of space

Because there’s nothing solid blocking the view beneath and between the treads, light flows freely through the staircase. Rooms feel larger, brighter and more connected — a particular advantage in open-plan layouts and hallways that need to feel welcoming.

Added value to your property

Distinctive features help a property stand out. A well-made floating staircase is exactly the sort of design detail that catches a buyer’s eye, making it a worthwhile investment as well as an everyday pleasure.

Engineered for safety

A floating look should never mean a compromise on safety. Every staircase we design is structurally engineered with concealed fixings and supports, and built to the relevant UK Building Regulations (Part K) and British Standard BS 5395. You get the open, weightless aesthetic with the strength and stability to match.

How we design and build your floating staircase

At Paradigm Stairs, we handle your project from first sketch to final fitting. Our in-house survey and design team means we control quality at every stage, so the finished staircase meets your brief and complies with all regulatory requirements.

We start by listening — understanding the space, the look you’re after and how the staircase needs to work. From there we produce detailed 3D visualisations so you can see your staircase before a single component is made. Treads can be specified in oak, beech or ash for natural warmth, paired with postless glass balustrades for a seamless floating effect, or powder-coated and stainless steel for a sharper, more industrial finish.

Manufacturing combines modern precision — laser- and water-cut steel, steel and glass bending — with genuine hand-finishing, so each staircase is both structurally sound and beautifully detailed. Our installers then handle the fit with the same care, working around your site and your team to deliver a perfect result on time. With more than 20 years delivering staircase projects across the UK and Europe, we make the process feel like a collaboration, not a chore.

Floating stairs for homes and commercial spaces

Floating staircases work beautifully in both settings. In homes, they create elegant transitions between levels and a striking centrepiece for your interior. In offices, showrooms and other commercial spaces, they make a powerful first impression and double as a genuine architectural feature.

They’re flexible in layout, too — set against a wall to save space, or positioned centrally to anchor a larger room. Whatever the setting, we design each staircase to be as practical as it is beautiful.