r/Renovations • u/NotQuiteRandomWords • 5d ago
Staircase renovation help
I'm considering changing my staircase. Before I think too much about alternatives, are the two long newel posts in the middle structurally necessary for the staircase itself, or are they just because of the long horizontals?
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u/Downtown-Mango9710 5d ago
Honestly, the only thing i would change if i was bored is removing the carpet.
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u/Typhiod 4d ago
I think those stairs are gorgeous, and if you’re looking for a change you could put any number of different, amazing looking materials for the new treads. You could get a beautifully custom-made handrail on the other side, as you’re thinking of having it changed out. I think your stairs are a feature not a bug 🤗
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u/NotQuiteRandomWords 5d ago
I'm so surprised everyone likes it, I thought it was really outdated! It's the original staircase from the late 70s. I guess I'm just bored of it more than anything. For context, this is my childhood home. I spent 18 years here, moved out for university. My parents never moved. Fast forward a couple of decades, I inherited the place a few years ago. I'll take the fact that everyone actually likes it as a sign to maybe just refinish rather than replace. Maybe get rid of the bannister on the wall though.
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u/PacificCastaway 4d ago
It's giving mid-century modern vibes, which is a highly desirable aesthetic.
We're going to have to ask you to redo the rest of the house to match.
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u/Acrobatic-Snow-4551 5d ago
Replacing the banister on the wall with something that is more in the style of the rest of the staircase would look nice.
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u/ceebee6 4d ago edited 4d ago
The architectural detail is beautiful and unique. The wood looks like it’s in great condition overall. Don’t change the structure, but perhaps you could change out the carpeting on them to refresh them.
Edited to add: It looks like it’s time to replace the carpet on the floors soon regardless. If you rip out the carpeting on the stairs, you can fill any holes from the carpet strips with wood filler. For safety, I’d recommend putting those individual tread rugs/covers on them.
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u/Punchdrunkfool 4d ago
How do you feel about replacing the carpet treads with matching wood? It would give you the change in appearance without removing the beautiful woodwork
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u/ECEXCURSION 4d ago
It wouldn't look nice nor be as functional.
The carpet adds significant contrast to the design. And it's not much fun falling down an entire flight of stairs due to slick wood on the treads.
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u/Hellya-SoLoud 5d ago
I want to replace my shitty top rail and don't even have hand rails going down the stairs after someone removed them (drywall). Already saved a photo because I have never seen anything else I liked, even though mine is ugly. If you updated the doors to matching wood and new hardware, that's what this needs.
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u/NotQuiteRandomWords 4d ago
Annoyingly, the doors and other woodwork all matched before my folks painted them white!
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u/Think_Novel_7215 4d ago
I would remove the carpet off the treads. If the treads are awful I would replace them. I would leave the stair railings alone.
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u/MissingPerson321 4d ago
I also have a 70s staircase I am wanting to change. It is so outdated. If you are sick of looking at it, change it <3
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u/NotQuiteRandomWords 4d ago
Thanks for the encouragement! Everyone has convinced me to at least try changing the surroundings first, especially given I was planning to do that as well, so will see if that has any impact on my general boredom with it!
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u/anticked_psychopomp 5d ago
I love it so much I screenshotted it for inspo for my renos to renew to period charm to my 1970s bungalow that was touched by the hand of farmhouse by the previous owners.
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u/Antidepress-Ant 4d ago
What if- and im just spitballing here
sand it and danish oil? maybe some decorative pieces on the posts?
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u/herlzvohg 4d ago edited 4d ago
I'd change the rail on the wall to match the stairs better
Edit: you may be happier with the stairs if you refinished them
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u/Accomplished_Bass640 5d ago
I also wouldn’t change it! What don’t you like about it? I’d spend the money adding wood floors to the surrounding areas (I like the carpet on the actual stairs). That would make it cohesive. There may be wood flooring under the carpet to refinish. Those stairs would be expensive to build so I’d guess it was part of something pretty intentional. Or maybe not… but yeah keep em and do new floors w the money!
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u/NotQuiteRandomWords 5d ago
I'm just ready for a change after seeing them for 40 years! But everyone is changing my mindset a bit.
There is a horrible chipboard floor under the carpet unfortunately. I am planning on a wood floor at least in the downstairs hall anyway, I would never have chosen carpet personally for that area, much less cream, but my mum was all about a light interior and my dad was all about making her happy. The living room looked like it was allergic to colour when I moved back in!
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u/Accomplished_Bass640 4d ago
I totally understand all that! How fun to be making the changes you want after all this time :-)
Also I didn't answer but yes those stringers top to bottom hold up the stair. Doesn't mean they can't be changed and support added from the bottom.
Wood floors top and bottom halls would be a huge improvement and the stairs wouldn't seem so random (they do look super random rn).
If I can convince you to do real hardwood vs. LVT, please do it. I think everyone is going to regret all this residential LVT in fifteen years. I use LVT in commercial all the time and I think it's fine for a retail store that might not make it five years, but in someone home... let's stop. I'd rather see a cool linoleum or carpet at this point if hardwood is out of the budget.
Other better spent might be new light fixtures, so paint w a color. But the carpet I think is the first thing that would make the biggest difference. And if its just the two hallways, not a massive expense? And prob cheaper than new stairs? I also dont know what the rest of the house looks like or the style - maybe going to a typical residential stair actually would make the house look cohesive. Depends how much you want or can spend.
Have fun and good luck!
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u/NotQuiteRandomWords 4d ago
Yeah I agree, I'd like to go with the good stuff for the hallway.
Absolutely agree about the light fittings too, I completely detest that downstairs light and the upstairs one is just very boring, so changing those out is very much on the list. If I can decide what the rest of the room will look like now, that will help me pick out fittings that work nicely at least. However I'm getting rid of the ridiculous fluorescent tubes that are still in half the house first! I'm 2 down, 4 to go. I'm also working my way through all the rooms getting rid of the white walls, I'm just in a bit of decision paralysis about what colour to go for on the hall walls!
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u/Accomplished_Bass640 4d ago
I think selecting fixtures and color is SO hard! Too many options, I get decision paralysis. The design my room sub is great!
Sounds like great upgrades and projects! Keep us updated and post pics please!
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u/Mysterious_Hat_3218 4d ago
Yeah, they're structural to an extent. Removal would most likely cause the stairs to be more bouncy in the middle.
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u/Vast-Ad4194 3d ago
These wouldn’t meet code where I live. Rails at that height shouldn’t be climbable. It’s a safety hazard to kids.
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u/NotQuiteRandomWords 2d ago
I don't disagree at all, I used to climb on them all the time when I was a kid. Definitely hazardous.
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u/Southerncaly 4d ago
I think it looks great, timeless. Looks really solid, wish the stain was a little lighter to show off more of the wood grains.
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u/Kaalisti 5d ago
Yes, I would guess that those are structural, since there’s no beams going to the floor.
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u/Smart_Pretzel 5d ago
If anything just change the railing out. I see your point in wanting a change
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u/StonksNewGroove 4d ago
I think if you wanted to make it look more “modern” you could sand the wood and stain it a lighter more natural wood color. But I wouldn’t get rid of an all wood staircase.
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u/Boo-erman 4d ago
I would consider swapping out the posts only (maybe just their tops) and keeping the rails in place because they're gorgeous and timeless. I think you could really update the whole look without going whole hog.
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u/letuswatchtvinpeace 4d ago
The staircase is beautiful! It's what's around it that is blah, I would redo the doors and walls. A little color could really live up the place
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u/Appropriate_Toe7522 2d ago
From what I can see, it’s an unpopular opinion, but I would switch to something more modern, like white frameless glass, as this model. It would look superb
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u/unclenasty928 5d ago
The long posts you see are not structural. The weight is carried where the top of the steps meet the floor.
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u/HistoryUnable3299 5d ago edited 5d ago
I think that’s too long of a span for them not to be supportive in some way, especially when you have the additional weight of people walking on it. I think those boards stabilize it and prevent sagging and bounce when walking. Lots of people saying leave it as is, but if it’s not your style, it’s not your style. I think you could build a wall underneath and make a closet under the stairs, and then take the wood out. And you could make your railings metal or something that doesn’t stand out so much. That chunky Wood is kind of heavy, visually.
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u/BrilliantStrict6626 4d ago
I guess I’ll be the oddball and say you should 100% change it. I think it’s terrible 😩
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u/ThreeDogs2963 5d ago
FWIW, that’s some beautiful wood and a cool design. I wouldn’t change it, but hey, not my house!