The reclaimed wood is gorgeous. But I would need a banister. Hey, call me a wimp....

Why no reclaimed-skateboard option?

Make mine big and grand, with ornate ballusters and carved rails...
...or steel and glass like those in the Apple Stores.

i love the look of floating stair cases and the reclaim wood one comes closest to that.

I really want to love the skateboard one the best but I had to choose the painted stairs instead. I've never been able to stand on a skateboard without falling so I assume I'd have the same problem on the stairs.

I like a mid century floating staircase, but none of the 4 you gave as options.

I love stairs that creatively utilize the oft-neglected space underneath. Like these. Or my staircase.

i like both the reclaimed wood and the painted runner. but if i had to choose, i'd pick the reclaimed wood.

#1 all the way

#3 or #4, depending on the day.

Today #3.

I picked #4, because I like the simplicity of it, but I also like the reclaimed wood.

I need a rail/banister. The combo of edges, heights and mornings are not good for me.

The reclaimed wood staircase and the skateboard staircase are not very safe. I don't mean to be a partypooper but falls on stairs are very, very common. A lot of stylish staircases sacrifice safety for looks and it doesn't have to be that way.

Even the traditional curved staircase isn't as safe as a conventional one because the depth of the treads varies.

I would love to see some sleek, modern staircases with closed risers (so feet can't slip through in a fall) and handrails that you can get your hand around and that look great. They're few and far between, unfortunately.

#2, but I'd have to add some grip tape.

Well, stairs don't generally make me swoon, but some of them do give me vertigo. But maybe that's not what you mean...

If a non-floaty, secure-seeming staircase with a good handle bar were one of the options, I would pick that.

In general, stairs without rails are not "up-to-code" and can present a real issue when trying to sell.

I'm with LBhirise re: midcentury floating stairs . . . quelle sorprise on dit.

#1 or #4. 3rd one is beautiful but far to foofy for me.

#1 and #3 all the way.

#! - but I'd still add a railing on the wall 'cos all it would take is one too many glasses of wine...

I love this concept: the stairs fold and retract flush into the wall:

http://architechnophilia.blogspot.com/2007/10/from-portfolio-of-aaron-tang-proposal.html

# 1 with a banister. I doubt I would fall, but I cannot account for guests after a party. I also would like to have kids some day, and keeping them alive, and without brain damage is a pretty major priority.

I want to like the skateboard staircase, and I think I would if it were flat steps rather than actual skateboards. Those curved edges would undoubtedly kill me. But the concept has so much potential.

I like the reclaimed wood stairs a LOT for the overall look, but I too would require a bannister -- maybe something very minimalistic and stark from patina-ed metal...

I like the reclaimed wood look, but I'm clumsy. I would need a banister.

I'm a NO STAIRS person. I go beyond clumsy (call fall on flat floors).

I love the reclaimed wood, but I like a banister. I don't want to die for style!