Top 5 mistakes to avoid when designing your staircase

Staircases.

They’re the heart of every home, and come in a variation of shapes, sizes and designs.

From modern and minimalist, to rustic and traditional, we all have our different interior design preferences, and how we personalise our properties is up to us.

However, being one of the most prominent features in your home, the way your staircase looks is important, and if you want to nail the project first time, there are a few things you should avoid (at all costs!) to get it right.

In this post, our staircase specialists at Pear Stairs reveal the top five mistakes people make when designing their staircases, and what you can do to avoid doing the same.

 

1.    Overlooking storage potential

From built-in drawers and cupboards to cabinets and even bookcases, your staircase design can open up an array of different storage opportunities. But many people fail the recognise this potential when redesigning their staircases.

Whether you have limited space and are desperate for more room, or want to plan for flexible storage in the future, it’s always a good idea to make efficient use of the space you have under your stairs.

 

2.    Not considering safety

Yes, the way your staircase looks matters, and of course, we all want it to look good.

But safety is just as important to consider as style.

When designing a staircase, it’s easy to forget about including certain features, like non-slip treads and lighting, for example. However, incorporating these into your staircase design is vital if you want to ensure that you, your family and your visitors can use your stairs safely.

 

 

3.    Ignoring the importance of lighting

Lighting isn’t only an important safety feature, to ensure your staircase remains visible and easy to ascend/descend, it can also level up its design and your surrounding décor, too.

So, you’ll be able to prevent slips, trips and falls at the same time as creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere in your hallway – it’s a win-win!

 Luxury Staircase

4.    Choosing unsuitable materials

Whilst choosing materials to match the rest of your home is important, you need to ensure that they’re practical too.

Take glass panels for example.

Yes, they look great and are a quick, cost-effective way to keep your staircase on-trend. But they may not be the best option if you have small children or pets.

Think carefully about the materials you use, considering style, sturdiness and future upkeep to make your final selections. And speaking of future upkeep…

 

5.    Disregarding future upkeep

Lots of us fail to consider the amount of upkeep that certain materials require, when designing our staircases, and instead, just go for what fits our needs and preferences.

However, this is an important thing to keep in mind, as you’ll want to pick something that you’re willing and able to maintain.

By this, we mean if your schedule is jam-packed and you’re always on the go, it’s best to opt for a low-maintenance option, like hardwood, for example.

 

Need help designing your dream staircase?

Whether you’ve just moved into your first house and are putting your personal stamp on it, or you’re tired of your old-worn out staircase and are in need of an upgrade, we can help.

At Pear Stairs, we’ve been helping our customers design their dream staircases for decades and would be more than happy to discuss your vision in further detail.

Give us a call today on 01938 553 311 or email us at webenquiries@pearstairs.co.uk and we’ll get back to you!