Planning a new staircase can be a fun and exciting process, especially considering the beautiful structure you’ll gain afterwards. But there’s more than just the aesthetics of your stair parts to think about.
Throughout this blog, our team explores the top 5 factors to contemplate when mapping out your next staircase - trust us, you won’t want to miss this!
5 considerations to think about when designing your dream stairs:
1. Space
When designing your new staircase, you’ll have to measure the area you wish to install it in, and assess whether there’s adequate space for your vision.
But how do you determine if you have enough room for your new flight of stairs?
Well, you’ll need to gather the following measurements and details for a professional to check the space’s suitability:
Calculate the staircase rise
Measure the distance from your ground floor to the first floor - this will determine the total rise of your stairs (the distance between each floor level).
On average, most staircases have a total rise of 2.6 metres, enabling you to have 13 steps with a riser height of 20cm - this is the height of each step.
Lower-rise heights with more treads are much more comfortable to climb.
However, if you desire a more compact staircase that takes up less room in your home, it will require fewer treads at a greater rise height, making it steeper and more difficult to climb.
Important note - The official UK building regulations regarding stairs state a headroom minimum of 200cm is required above every aspect of the stairs to prevent accidents and obstruction. So be sure to check this before moving forward with your design.
Evaluate the area width
There are no building regulations concerning staircase width, but consider practicalities such as moving furniture up and down floor levels.
Buildsafe suggests that widths between 80cm and 90cm work well, with the UK average main staircase width being 86cm.
Measure the staircase opening
If you have one, measure your stairway opening - this is the opening in the ceiling at the top of your staircase.
This could limit your options in terms of layout, but if you don’t have an opening or it’s a very large area, you’ll have more choice!
The available and suitable space you have in your home will influence your staircase’s layout and design, which we’ll discuss next!
2. Staircase layout and design
It’s now time to consider your stair layout options. This refers to the shape of your staircase, and there’s plenty to select from depending on how much space you have to play with.
Here are a few examples:
- Straight staircases - A linear flight of stairs that doesn’t change direction. This layout looks great in classic and contemporary homes, big or small, and is easy to install given its straightforward design.
- L-shaped stairs - This style consists of a straight run of linear stairs with a 90° turn and a small landing area, followed by another flight - this forms the ‘L’ shape.
L-shaped flights are very popular due to the added respite provided by the small landing whilst using the stairs, and the privacy they offer by blocking the view upstairs. However, due to the change in direction, you’ll require a wider space for L-shaped stairs.
- U-shaped staircases - U-shaped stairs are very similar to L-shaped staircases, except the flight of stairs after the landing area is parallel to the first set, forming the ‘U’ shape.
Many opt for this layout if they have plenty of space, or if they have a high stairs rise and want to reduce the steepness of the staircase.
If your space is considerably compact, you could always go for a spiral staircase. This style has a small circular footprint, and rises above itself, rather than on an angle.
3. Safety
Keeping stair users safe whilst moving between the floors in your home is paramount in your staircase design.
With this in mind, you’ll need to install wall-mounted handrails or balustrades depending on your staircase. Handrails are a safety feature that individuals can use to stabilise themselves when climbing or descending the stairs - they can double as a decorative feature, too.
Balustrades are safety structures or railings that prevent steep falls from the sides of your stairs or landing areas.
These installations are required if your stairway isn’t enclosed by walls, and are considered to be an eye-catching decor feature consisting of decorative spindles (small vertical columns) topped by a handrail.
Additionally, ensure the stairway has adequate lighting to prevent trips and stumbles in the dark. You could invest in a skylight if your layout allows this, and add artificial lights on the surrounding walls or the actual treads.
4. Materials and stair part styles
It’s time to let your inner interior designer roam free and choose the material and style of your stair parts - from timber to metal, you certainly won’t be short of choice!
Oak
Oak stair parts are an excellent choice for traditional and modern homes, offering a timeless natural beauty that’s unrivalled by other materials.
It’s also very durable and long-lasting thanks to oak timber's sheer strength and hardiness.
However, stair components made from oak are fairly expensive, given the craftsmanship that goes into producing them.
As for stair part styles, there’s a great selection of designs to pick from. Modern homes can benefit from cubed oak spindles and handrails that offer a premium yet simple feel. Whereas chamfered spindles and classic handrails look exceptional among traditional aesthetics.
Metal
Offering durability and an eye-catching contrast when paired with oak elements, metal stair parts are very popular in modern British homes. Metal is exceptionally durable, and will last for many years without faltering.
Iron or steel can feel too industrial for some, but this completely depends on your tastes and what you’re looking for!
Again, there are plenty of spindle types forged in metal, including tuning fork and wavy styles - just select the option you love the most.
5. Budget
Finally, you’ll have to consider how much you can afford to spend on your new staircase. The size and complexity of your design, along with the materials used and labour costs, will determine the price of your dream flight of stairs.
Straight staircases are among the most affordable styles, as they don’t feature any turns and are easier to install.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to install a wider and more complex staircase, such as a U-shaped one, this will be more expensive.
As for materials, oak stair parts are typically more expensive than cheaper materials such as pine. However, given oak’s high level of durability and hardiness, you’ll certainly save money on repairs down the line, even if the upfront costs are higher.
Invest in a design visual before starting your staircase project
To see exactly how your staircase could look in your home beforehand, you could always opt for a design visual. Design visuals are personalised 3D images produced using design software that show how a stair layout or stair parts will look in your house.
Choose Stair Crazy for stylish stair parts
Here at Stair Crazy, we offer a selection of hard-wearing oak stair parts, plus a state-of-the-art staircase design visual service to help you make the best choice when it comes to your next set of stairs.
We take great pride in providing an excellent service to customers and our range of high-quality stair parts, suitable for any staircase project.
To speak with our team today, don’t hesitate to call us on 0194 236 5509, or email us at info@staircrazy.co.uk today and we’ll be in touch.
