Just with a little creativity, you can make your staircase into a decorative and functional part of your home. Hit the jump for some unusual and creative staircase designs from around the world; some of the designs are great because the designers make use of the staircase as cabinet for storage.

Here are few tips while choosing the right staircase design:

Style – match your staircase to the style of home
Needs – do you need storage underneath
Natural home lighting –staircases can be dark so strategically position windows
Flooring surface – match your floor with your stairs
Safety – what are the capabilities of the homeowners eg children/elderly
Avoid tripping points – differ surfaces on entering and exiting so your body visualises and feels the change