Psychology of Space: How Does the Shape and Position of Stairs Influence Interior Perception?
What do you have in mind when you hear about interior design? Most people imagine exquisite furniture, high ceilings and a harmonious colour scheme. However, you shouldn’t forget about other important elements of creating the perfect space. If you have a staircase in your room, you should think about the interior design around this structure.
Actually, a few good decisions about the shape, position, materials, colour scheme of the staircase can make all the difference in the overall shaping of the interior. Yeah, you read that right. That’s why we want to pay more attention to the psychology of space. In this article, we will tell you how staircases affect the interior, people’s perception and how to come up with the best solution.
What is the Psychology of Space?
First of all, we have to understand how the room and the surrounding elements can influence your psychology. The psychology of space is about a place where you feel comfortable, where you want to return to again and again. What do we mean by that? Every colour in a home or office affects us. Every piece of furniture is standing in exactly the right place and not the other.
Since the staircase is the largest construction, its impact on a room is one of the biggest. Moreover, most people first design the staircase, think about its design, colour scheme and based on this data, create a suitable interior of the whole room. Still don’t believe that stairs influence people’s psychology? Just take a look at the different projects in the V.PSTAIRS portfolio. Each staircase is a unique project that harmoniously complements the space.
Who Needs the Right Staircase Shape and Position?
A staircase is not only a functional interior element. This is an important accent that affects the perception of the entire space. As you may have already realised, not only ergonomics, but also the visual harmony of the room depends on its shape and location. Errors in the choice of configuration can violate the logic of the layout, create a sense of chaos or crowdedness. Therefore, it is important to take into account the peculiarities of the interior and the tasks that the staircase should solve.
- Commercial facilities. There’s no doubt that business owners should give serious thought to the interior of their facility. The most important thing for them is to create the perfect space that customers will want to come back to again.
- Homeowners. For homeowners, it is equally important to get the shape and position of the stairs right. It often happens that wrong decisions lead to constant irritability and aggression. In such cases, it is worth thinking about staircase renovation.
Never underestimate the psychological and aesthetic effect of a staircase, especially for commercial spaces, where it can become a branding element, and for private homes, where it affects the feeling of cosiness. A well-designed staircase is an investment in comfort and image.
Effect of Colour Palette and Staircase Lighting on People’s Perception
Now it’s time to talk about the colour palette. The colour of the staircase plays a key role in shaping the perception of space. Light tones — white, beige, grey – visually expand the room, creating a feeling of lightness and spaciousness. Dark colours, on the contrary, add depth and solidity, but when used in excess can limit the space. Contrasting colours accentuate the staircase as a decorative element and draw attention to it.
Staircase lighting has no less of an impact on psychological perception. Integrated lighting makes the stairs safe, but it also sets the atmosphere — warm light creates cosiness, cold light creates a modern and austere style. Properly placed luminaires or LED strips can visually change the geometry of the staircase and highlight it as the centrepiece of the interior.
Learn about most fashionable colour shades for staircase implementation in 2025
Link Between Staircase Materials and Psychology
The material from which a staircase is made affects not only its durability, but also the perception of the surrounding space. The texture, heat transfer, and the sound when touching the material — all this affects the emotional state of a person. A staircase can inspire confidence, give a feeling of warmth or, on the contrary, cause a feeling of alienation. This is how different materials influence the psychology of a space:
Material | Impact on psychology |
Wood | Wood is a warm, lively and cosy material. It promotes relaxation and creates a cosy atmosphere at home. Especially good for living spaces. |
Metal | Metal is associated with durability, rigour and modernity. Suitable for lofts, offices and minimalist interiors. |
Stone | Stone is a massive, heavy material that evokes a feeling of stability and reliability. It is used in interiors with classic and monumental features. |
Glass | Glass is a symbol of lightness, openness and novelty. Suitable for modern interiors, but requires care in use – it can create a feeling of insecurity. |
The choice of material should take into account not only visual preferences but also the emotional objectives of the interior. For example, in a family home it is important to create an atmosphere of warmth and security – here wood or natural stone is favoured.
Find the Best Solution at V.PSTAIRS
As you may have already realised, psychology and the interior of a room are closely related to each other. The staircase occupies a huge part of the room, so this is the main reason to think about its design. The most important thing is to find a solution where each element will harmonise with the other. This is exactly what we have been doing at V.PSTAIRS for many years now.
As the leading staircase installation company in the UK, we are happy to help you find the best solution for your project. We have experienced designers in our team, so we can offer unique and bold ideas. Our main principle is the customer’s desire, so we focus on your goals and adapt to your requirements. Do you want to get a unique staircase that harmonises with the interior of the room? Contact us for a free consultation!
3 Comments
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Emily Bennett
In my humble opinion, the cosiest option for home and family is wood. Staircases made of different types of wood best convey an atmosphere of warmth and cosiness.
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George Hughes
This is amazing! After reading this article, I started to notice how the staircase and other elements in the house can annoy or on the contrary please me.
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Oliver Clarke
I have been working as a psychologist for over 12 years and I have a lot to add to this article. In fact, it’s not just relationships, problems or success at work that can affect your brain. Simple things like interior decor or the right position of the stairs can make a big difference. For example, some businesses first research the psychology of their target audience before opening for business. This also applies to finding the perfect staircase.