How to keep your Cast Aluminium Spiral Staircase on trend in 2026

When you’re designing a home, very few features are as permanent as a staircase. Sofas can be replaced, walls repainted, accessories swapped out, but a staircase becomes part of the architecture itself – something you live with for decades, not just the latest season. Designing a staircase around current trends can feel risky, but if you ignore them altogether, it could leave a space feeling static and disconnected.

Norman Foster once said: “You design for the present, with an awareness of the past, for a future which is essentially unknown.” At British Spirals & Castings, we believe our cast aluminium spiral staircases sit comfortably within that philosophy. They aren’t trend-led in the conventional sense; but have an enduring presence that allows them to define a space, while being adaptable in how they are styled, finished, and surrounded. With 2026 bringing a shift towards refined colour palettes, tactile materials, softer forms, and more personal interiors, the cast aluminium spiral feels not only relevant, but quietly ahead of the curve.

Tactile metalwork

One of the more significant interior design trends for 2026 is a shift towards metalwork that feels expressive and emotive rather than industrial. Texture is the key to this trend, and the greensand-casting process used for aluminium creates beautiful depth and variation. This process is what allows a cast aluminium spiral to be a decorative centrepiece instead of just a functional structure.

All our cast aluminium spiral staircases are greensand casted at our non-ferrous foundry in Derbyshire, a method that allows for intricate detailing while retaining that sense of heritage and craftsmanship. Using this traditional technique results in metalwork with character that feels considered and luxurious.

To embrace this trend fully, the staircase must speak for itself. One way to achieve this is by keeping your surrounding finishes understated: limewash walls, plaster textures, brick, or muted paint tones allow the material of your staircase to take centre stage.

Natural textures

While metal is going to be very popular in 2026 interiors, it’s important it doesn’t stand alone. As Vogue states, “When metal is paired with timber or linen, it becomes softer, more grounded, and human.” This contrast can be introduced in subtle, thoughtful ways.

Wooden treads or infill panels within a cast aluminium spiral bring this warmth and balance, softening the structure but keeping its beautiful metallic form.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a staircase entirely made from cast aluminium, the structure can still be grounded by featuring timber floors or other wooden accents like furniture or panelling. To further reinforce this connection with the outdoors, consider stone accessories or ceramics that add depth and richness to your overall scheme.

Softer forms and curves

After years of sharp edges and rigid layouts, 2026 interiors are embracing curved and organic forms. These shapes add comfort and movement and allow a space to flow much better, qualities a spiral staircase naturally embodies. 

To really bring this trend to fruition, echo the soft curves and swirls of a spiral staircase into your furnishings. Think rounded furniture or arched doorways or patterns. It’s important to avoid harsh geometric shapes nearby to let the spiral lead the flow.

Statement antiques

While previous years favoured interiors that featured as many vintage or antique pieces you could get your hands on, 2026 is more selective. The focus is on having one or two meaningful statement pieces that bring depth and gravitas. Our Victorian cast aluminium spirals are a natural fit for this trend; they bring craftsmanship, history, and character, and even when brand new, carry the depth and authenticity we associate with truly vintage and antique pieces.

To successfully apply this trend within your interiors, positioning is key. Allow the staircase to act as the visual anchor of the room, supported by restrained, contemporary décor that keeps the space feeling current while still honouring the staircase’s sense of heritage.

Colour with confidence

Colour remains one of the most effective ways to align permanent features with contemporary interiors – and one of the safest, as it can evolve over time. For 2026, palettes lean towards more sophisticated, regal tones:

• Dusty and cobalt blues
• Muted and artichoke greens
• Champagne and warm metallic neutrals
• Soft pink and earthy reds
• “Cloud Dancer”, the off-white crowned Pantone’s Colour of the Year

A cast aluminium spiral staircase can be powder coated in any RAL shade, offering complete flexibility. For longevity, consider finishing the staircase in a restrained neutral – champagne, warm metallics or soft off-whites – and introduce bolder colours through your upholstery, artwork, or soft furnishings that can be updated more easily.

For those drawn to a more expressive style, a staircase finished in cobalt blue, artichoke green, or an earthy red can become a confident focal point in 2026 and can always be repainted later should you fancy a change.

Designing a staircase for every era

A staircase is not a seasonal decision; it’s a long-term investment in how your home functions and feels. The key to blending cast aluminium spiral staircases with 2026’s interior trends lies not in following fashion, but in interpreting it thoughtfully.

By using colour, contrast, texture, and form, a cast aluminium spiral staircase can feel entirely of-the-moment, but still keep its timeless, adaptable appeal for years to come. And that balance is what great design is all about.

If you’re looking for a cast aluminium spiral staircase, we can work with you to develop a design that works for your style and space. You can visit our gallery to see more examples of the projects we’ve worked on over the years. Once you’re ready, submit a quote, or get in touch via phone or email.