Staircase Makeover vs Refurbishment: Which is Best For You?

A staircase upgrade can elevate the look of your interior by turning plain steps into a striking design element. As one of the initial visual cues in a home, they play a strong role in shaping the interior character of your house.

Fixing tired or unsafe steps is important for peace of mind, and it’s a great moment to refresh your hallway’s appearance too.

Inspecting Your Staircase Before Planning an Update

Be sure to review your staircase’s look and structural integrity before making plans. If you own a listed home, consult your planning office before starting any work. Properties without listed status still need a thorough stair check before renovation starts. Reflect on what you’d like to achieve—can your present stairway manage the level of renovation you have in mind?
Assess your renovation goals and whether your stairway as it stands can support your ideas.
Question whether your staircase is structurally sound enough for the changes you’re planning.
Be clear on what you want to do and whether your existing staircase are fit for purpose.
Does your staircase have the stability needed to support your renovation plans?
Before moving forward, consider whether your stairs can realistically take the updates.
Be sure of what you want and check if your staircase can accommodate the changes.
Plan your renovation with your staircase’s existing state and stability in mind.
Will your existing staircase accommodate the design changes you’re preparing for?
Visualise your design plans—can your current stairs support the renovation?

Older houses with timber stairs can often be brought back to life with DIY efforts, such as updating the treads or adding a new handrail system.
Traditional houses with wooden staircases can often be refreshed through DIY improvements like updating the stair surfaces or balustrades.
You can give wooden staircases in period homes a fresh look by replacing treads or adding a handrail.
Simple DIY upgrades like swapping out treads or adding a stylish balustrade can transform period staircases.
Traditional wooden staircases often look better after basic improvements like tread replacement or balustrade updates.
Many heritage steps can be enhanced with DIY projects, especially by updating the treads or banisters.
Wooden staircases in heritage properties often benefit from small changes like adding a new handrail.
Swapping out old treads or adding a new balustrade can help refresh a traditional stairway.
If you have a wooden staircase in an older home, some DIY work may be all it takes to refresh it.
Basic updates like replacing treads or fitting a balustrade can update or refresh a wooden staircase in a traditional home. For a total revamp, it’s recommended to get professional advice early on, weighing up the financial and design aspects of rebuilding entirely versus upgrading what's there.
If you're planning a major update, speak to a professional early to understand the difference between starting fresh and renovation.
Large-scale renovations to your staircase should involve guidance from a specialist to consider budget and results.
When considering a major overhaul, a professional can help you choose whether to replace completely or renovate.
Before starting a major renovation, get a pro's opinion on whether to start fresh or work with the current setup.
A full staircase transformation should benefit from expert input to compare the pros and cons of each approach.
Talking to a staircase professional early can help you decide between starting over or modernising what you have.
If a complete revamp is on the table, consider the budget and results with help from a qualified advisor.
For significant upgrades, it’s best to get advice from someone experienced in both refurbishing and rebuilding.
Plan carefully for a full staircase renovation by get advice from an expert and considering both routes.

Do You Need Building Regs Approval Necessary?

Whatever changes you're making to your stairs, check the legal requirements before you get going. Replacing stair components with the same style may not need permission, especially in homes built before updated building standards.

However, if reworking the core structure of the staircase, you must adhere to Part K of the Building Regulations, which covers:
If you’re altering the layout of your stairs, you’ll need to adhere to Part K of the Building Regulations.
Making big changes to your staircase design means you must adhere to Part K of the Building Regulations.
Altering the staircase’s layout or shape requires you to meet the standards set in Part K of the building code.
If your renovation includes design modifications, you’re legally required to follow Part K standards.
Redesigning the shape or format of your here staircase means it must meet the standards of the rules in Part K.
Part K of the Building Regulations applies when you make any significant changes to your staircase design.
Changing the entire layout of your stairs will mean adhering to strict rules under Part K.
Substantial modifications to your staircase will need to meet the official standards set out in Part K.
You must follow Part K standards if you’re changing how your staircase is built or shaped.
If your project involves modifying the staircase structure of your stairs, Part K regulations will be enforced.

• A compliant staircase must include treads with a depth of at least 220mm.


• The vertical distance between steps must stay within the 220mm limit.


• Keep nosings within the allowed depth and make sure each tread is level.


• Make sure your stairs have a clear height of 2m, as 1.8m is allowed for stairs leading to lofts.


• To meet staircase safety standards, open risers must overlap and limit any gap to under 100mm.

Because UK regulations differ, it’s wise to get advice from your local council or an industry expert.

Rejuvenating Your Old Staircase

Many staircases develop faults like loose rails and steps that make noise. Basic fixes like re-gluing and screwing can stabilise a balustrade, but some need added support. If creaking is due to loose fixings or deterioration, a simple fix might work—unless the damage is too extensive. Provided the staircase remains secure, reshaping a chunky newel post can help save space.

Enhancing the Style of Your Existing Stairs

Giving your stairs a new look can be as easy as swapping out a few surface features. You may find timber beneath the carpet, which can often be restored with sanding and finishing.

Lead paint can be harmful, so check it beforehand and take the necessary steps when sanding. Check under any boards covering the treads to see what condition they’re in. Consider refinishing stripped stair parts, and don’t forget to repair old trim.

Choosing a New Staircase for Practical Reasons

If your stairs are in serious disrepair, a full replacement may be more sensible than repeated repairs. You can often replace a staircase in a day—unless you’re modifying the design. Because your stairs are part of the building’s framework, it’s important to get an engineer’s advice.

Choosing the Right Staircase Design

You’ll find a variety of options to suit your taste, including open-riser, floating, and classic spiral stairs. Think about who’s using the stairs—if it’s young children or older residents, choose gentler treads and avoid open risers. A site visit by an expert can guide you in picking a suitable design for your layout. Since staircase placement impacts interior flow, a professional can help create the best configuration.

Stair Refurbishment: What Might It Cost?

Ask different contractors for quotes and check that the breakdown is easy to understand. Even low-cost DIY comes with extra considerations—materials, tools, and clearing the mess.

Options for Modernising Your Staircase Balustrade

You only need one handrail if the stairs are less than a metre across, but stairs over 1m need one on each side. Balustrade upgrades often feature materials like timber, wrought iron, or clear glazing.

A glass balustrade can boost style and brightness, though installation costs depend on the type of fittings.

Making the Staircase Part of Your Design Vision

When designing your staircase, think about how it connects with or contrasts your space. Dark stairs with metal-framed glazing make a striking pairing, while oak accents bring warmth to grey-toned rooms.

Aligning your timber rails with interior joinery creates a harmonious design, and understated spindle details (such as brushed brass) can elevate the design.

Under-Stair Designs That Work

1. Fit a small WC under your stairs to improve daily living—check with a plumber about what’s possible.


2. Bespoke pull-out options under the stairs help you keep clutter at bay and make use of what would otherwise be wasted.


3. Turn your under-stair area into a mini wine cellar with built-in lights.


4. Set Up a Compact Office – Install a custom-built desk with shelves, with a neat sliding door finish.
   Transform the space into a compact work area with a fitted desk and storage.
   Use the area for a neat workstation—add shelving and sliding doors to keep it neat.
   A small desk and shelving unit under the stairs makes a great neat office nook.
   Fit a made-to-measure desk area under the stairs, complete with sliding doors for a tidy finish.
   Create a low-profile office area by installing a compact unit with closing access.
   Add a bespoke desk and organiser combo to make a clever under-stair work area.
   Design a smart workstation with bespoke joinery and hide it with sliding doors.
   A fitted desk and storage area under the stairs is perfect for getting things done in a small space.
   Use tailored fittings to build an efficient home office setup with hidden storage.
   Turn an empty under-stair area into a home office with a concealed working area.


5. Link the kitchen and under-stair space to maximise usable storage or workspace.

Brighten Up Your Stairs with the Right Lighting

Smart lighting boosts safety and visual impact. Consider these popular choices:

• Installing lights within the steps is a practical yet stylish solution.


• Wall fixtures at stair level provide safe lighting with minimal glare.


• Top-down lights illuminate all levels and maintains a spacious feel.

Pick lights that illuminate softly.

To Sum Up:

A smartly thought-out stair upgrade can turn your stairs into a feature that combines style and function. Whether you rework or replace, a smart renovation ensures lasting appeal and functionality.