What Is a Grand Staircase?

Location

• A grand staircase is traditionally located where those who enter the house have an immediate view. Usually opposite a main entrance or foyer, a grand staircase is designed to draw the attention of visitors and to make an instant impact. It leads up from the main floor into the rest of the house and is meant to be inviting. In commercial or government buildings, the grand staircase can be a majestic double staircase, while a single staircase in a residential home can have the same dramatic impact as its commercial cousin.

What Makes It Grand

• A grand staircase should capture the mood and the ambiance of the entire house. Much like other elements of interior design, there are no set requirements for the feel of a grand staircase; some of the famous ones include intricate gold scrollwork or marble pillars, but the important aspect is that it is there to welcome guests into the home and should impart whatever feelings the homeowner desires. The grand staircase doesn't have to be overwhelmed with decoration or luxurious carpets; sometimes elegant simplicity makes an even more powerful statement.

Decor Ideas

• Making the main staircase of the home into a grand staircase doesn't have to be an overwhelming or expensive project, but it does take some planning. For en effective grand staircase, it's necessary to first take into consideration the design of the rest of the house. For example, a simplistic look including a hand-crafted banister, neutral colors and a window at the top to allow in plenty of natural light can be an effective look for a classic Colonial home. For a more modern home, try a minimalist design with only stairs, no railings and geometric patterns on the nearby walls. Alternately, some homes, such as a Victorian or Tudor style, can benefit from decorative carved railings, patterned carpet runners and sconces on the walls. Curved staircases can be made even more elegant with the addition of metalwork against light colors.

Famous Examples

• For some ideas about the impact a grand staircase can have, take a look at some famous examples. Perhaps the most famous movie staircase is featured in "Gone with the Wind," adding to the sweeping grandeur of the movie and the location. One that has made the jump from history into movies as a classic staircase is the Grand Staircase of the Titanic -- so dramatic that it was used to illustrate the elegance and feel of the doomed ship. There are plenty of real-world examples of grand staircases being used to their full extent, from the Grand Staircase George IV had designed for Buckingham Palace to the one in the White House, often used as a backdrop for greeting foreign dignitaries.