I am going to build our U-shaped staircase and had previously thought of building the steps in oak. I've read a bit about people using solid worktops. Now, these are very hard to find in suitable thicknesses and I've found that there are bamboo boards (https://www.holseogwibroe.se/varor/bambuskiva-karb-vertikal-30x2440x1220-mm/skivor-1 ). It's said that these are very hard, stable, and durable, and they're suitable for stairs. Has anyone seen a bamboo staircase? Does anyone have experience working with bamboo as a material?
Does it sound like a crazy idea, or can it turn out really well?
The staircase will be a closed staircase for the first few steps with a landing that extends to one side so that it forms seating, but where you can also lift the step and there's storage underneath. Then the staircase will transition into an open staircase where it begins to curve.
Does it sound like a crazy idea, or can it turn out really well?
The staircase will be a closed staircase for the first few steps with a landing that extends to one side so that it forms seating, but where you can also lift the step and there's storage underneath. Then the staircase will transition into an open staircase where it begins to curve.
Construction veteran
· 2 745 posts
Definitely a fun idea
Just a small thought.
Will the bamboo wood fit in with the rest of the interior color-wise?
I'm wondering a bit about the floors, moldings, etc., that the staircase borders.
Do you perhaps have an oak floor, whether it's natural or whitewashed, etc.?
When I built new, I chose the same wooden floor throughout the house except for the kitchen, hall, laundry room, and toilets, which then got the same tiles.
It creates a calm atmosphere in the house when the same colors are repeated everywhere.
Another thing is that there are many different layers glued together in the board.
How will it look from the side and not just from above?
When you walk up the stairs and look straight ahead, you will see how striped the steps are.
Just a small thought.
Will the bamboo wood fit in with the rest of the interior color-wise?
I'm wondering a bit about the floors, moldings, etc., that the staircase borders.
Do you perhaps have an oak floor, whether it's natural or whitewashed, etc.?
When I built new, I chose the same wooden floor throughout the house except for the kitchen, hall, laundry room, and toilets, which then got the same tiles.
It creates a calm atmosphere in the house when the same colors are repeated everywhere.
Another thing is that there are many different layers glued together in the board.
How will it look from the side and not just from above?
When you walk up the stairs and look straight ahead, you will see how striped the steps are.
Thanks for the thoughts 
How it fits in color-wise is probably a matter of taste. We don't have anything else in the decor that is wood-colored yet. The floors are laminate white oak (which doesn't have any yellow/brown tone in it), the moldings and other elements are painted white in a quite minimalistic design. No embellishments on moldings or door frames. The idea is a painted white stringer for the staircase. We also have the same flooring in the hall, kitchen, and living room in an open plan layout to the staircase. What flooring will be on the lower floor in the hall and family room is not decided yet. There have been thoughts of covering the steps with the same laminate flooring as the rest of the house but I've scrapped that thought because I feel that not everything can be the same, and we need to contrast with something else in some places as well. Moreover, the steps should have a contrasting color from the flooring for accessibility reasons.
I'm considering building the hallway furniture in the same wood tone as the stairs and maybe that acoustic panel behind the coat rack in the hall can also be of the same type of material and color
I think I like it when you can see all the layers from the side. Most bamboo countertops have visible layers from the side, and it becomes like a "lively pattern" in some way. Otherwise, you could put a stair nose to hide that part.
How it fits in color-wise is probably a matter of taste. We don't have anything else in the decor that is wood-colored yet. The floors are laminate white oak (which doesn't have any yellow/brown tone in it), the moldings and other elements are painted white in a quite minimalistic design. No embellishments on moldings or door frames. The idea is a painted white stringer for the staircase. We also have the same flooring in the hall, kitchen, and living room in an open plan layout to the staircase. What flooring will be on the lower floor in the hall and family room is not decided yet. There have been thoughts of covering the steps with the same laminate flooring as the rest of the house but I've scrapped that thought because I feel that not everything can be the same, and we need to contrast with something else in some places as well. Moreover, the steps should have a contrasting color from the flooring for accessibility reasons.
I'm considering building the hallway furniture in the same wood tone as the stairs and maybe that acoustic panel behind the coat rack in the hall can also be of the same type of material and color
I think I like it when you can see all the layers from the side. Most bamboo countertops have visible layers from the side, and it becomes like a "lively pattern" in some way. Otherwise, you could put a stair nose to hide that part.
