I always love those TV programmes and movies featuring spectacular staircases with beautiful banisters and could imagine that every descent would feel like an occasion, even when carrying a basket of dirty laundry.
My own staircase is less than stellar with slightly worn carpet, a rather utilitarian hand rail and, all too frequently, small piles of things picked from round the ground floor the children need to spot and take upstairs to their rooms. (Spoiler: they never do.)
I have improved the stairway somewhat during the looooong days of lockdown by painting the wall next to it in a bold on trend colour and creating a picture wall which I hope detracts somewhat from the actual stairs.
Of course, as well as looking nice, you want your staircase to be safe. It's worth noting that guidance changes so a staircase and/or railings that might have been fitted years ago may no longer be deemed safe and could actually pose a risk to the people you love living in or visiting your home.
If you ask me I think wood stairs and railings are quite essential for any home as they are sturdy, stylish and go with pretty much any decorating style. Replacing the railings can instantly update your home and you can be sure that as long as you use a reputable supplier the railings will prevent anyone falling through or over them and the distance between railings should stop any curious small people getting their heads stuck!
My latest resolution is to try and keep my stairway clear. Apart from the fact it will look much nicer it will also be safer. My husband woke a few weeks ago to find our home filled with smoke from a house fire at our next door neighbours (our homes are joined) and thankfully he managed to get safely out without tripping up on shoes, bags and toys I'd left at the side of the stairs.
I have one of those lovely stair baskets but partly because of my disability (fibromyalgia) and partly through laziness it's often overflowing. Goodness knows what's at the very bottom of the basket! I may never have a glamorous sweeping staircase I can glide down in a beautiful gown but I can avoid the stairs looking like something from those documentaries about hoarders.
Take some time to look at your own stairs. Measure the gaps between the railings and check if they are still considered legally safe. Also check for damage which might prove dangerous if it means the rail would not hold your weight if you tripped or slipped. Make sure any carpet on the stairs does not have baggy or loose areas or even worse, holes which could be a trip hazard.
Better safe than sorry!