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Welcome to First Step Designs, the UK’s leading designer and manufacturer of bespoke metal staircases. We work with homeowners, interior designers, and architects to enhance homes with stunning, one-of-a-kind staircases that combine inspired design and exceptional craftsmanship, consistently delivering staircases that exceed expectations.
As winners of the 2024 Build It Awards for Best UK Staircase, having recently been featured on Grand Designs, and working on increasingly high-profile projects across the UK, we’re confident that we’re the right team to help you design and fit bespoke metal stairs that fit your vision and complement your home.
At First Step Designs, we work closely with our clients to ensure that every last element of your staircase is a considered decision, with nothing left to luck or chance. We don’t do off-the-shelf, we don’t do prefabricated solutions, and we don’t cut corners—we design and build custom staircases for bespoke clients.
Reach out to our design team to learn more about how we can help you create a stunning metal staircase that makes the home more liveable, beautiful, and valuable.
While many of our competitors rely on metal substructures for stability, at First Step Designs, we go one step further. We design and engineer staircases that push the material into the spotlight, turning hidden support into statement features.
As a company, we love working with metal. We appreciate its versatility and its look, and understand how to get the most out of metal. From sleek steel stringers and ornate glass and steel balustrades to polished steel floating treads that seem to hang in mid-air, our designs demonstrate just what an impact a steel staircase can have on a space.
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Your new or renovated stairs are no more than a quick call, email or message away.
You can also use our Inspiration Gallery to save images of our work that you like. Then, simply send them along with any other photos, plans, or details through our contact form so we can discuss your project.
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After understanding what you’re trying to achieve, we’ll send a detailed and itemised same-day quote. Our pricing is honest and transparent, allowing you to quickly determine if we are the right fit for your project.
At your request, we’ll gladly quote for multiple configurations of your ideal stairs.
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After visiting your home to take the measurements we need, we draft and present fully accurate 3D renditions of what your staircase will look like in your home.
Once the details, timelines, and installation dates are locked in, we begin fabricating your dream staircase.
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That’s right: sit back knowing that our expert team of craftsmen is hard at work bringing your staircase to life, fabricating your dream stairs to our exacting standards.
Depending on the complexity of the design, this typically takes anywhere from 3 to 5 days.
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Our expert and experienced team of Staffordshire-based installers will install your new or renovated stairs in 2 to 4 days.
They have a wealth of experience in joinery and engineering, a seriously professional attitude towards work, and operate as unintrusively as possible.
The short answer is that with considered design, a metal staircase can be a welcome and valuable addition to any home. That said, it’s important to recognise that the term ‘metal staircase’ is slightly ambiguous; to some, it refers to the metal substructure that remains hidden during normal use, while for others, it means floating or central spine staircases consisting entirely of metal components and foregoing complementary materials like glass or timber.
Regardless of your definition, our design and engineering teams understand how to craft metal staircases that complement any home and its aesthetic.
While this is not set in stone, it’s common to see the following styles and configurations of metal staircases in these types of homes.
Project timelines vary significantly based on the scope of the project, design complexity, material choices, and installation difficulties; however, we complete most of our projects in approximately 4 to 6 months from first contact. While this might feel like a long timeline given the availability of more immediate solutions, we craft unique staircases comparable to functional art—and we don’t rush art.
When our clients approach us with a clear vision and/or design plans, we can expedite the progress and have it completed in roughly 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the design.
Yes, but very little and very infrequently. We rely on high-quality steel and superior finishing techniques, resulting in ultra-durable metal staircases that are all but indestructible. With the exception of keeping them clean and free of dust, the only remaining maintenance is to ensure that the surface finish remains scratch and damage-free. In the event that a scratch or abrasion reaches down into the raw steel, it’s important to respray or refinish the affected area to avoid oxidation.
Luckily, this is a fairly straightforward task with both instructional videos and the materials required readily available. Alternatively, reach out to First Step Designs for a zero-obligation renovation quote.
Yes, it can. First Step Designs specialises in designing bespoke and deeply personalised staircases, ensuring that each and every element—from the substructure to the finishing, detailing, and accessories—is tailored to suit your home, vision, and style.
We work closely with our clients over the span of several weeks, guiding them through the staircase design process and iterating through staircase styles, designs, and details to find the best possible fit.
By the time the design is finished and sent off to fabrication, we will have gone through design options for the overall staircase style and shape, treads, balustrades, handrails, optional accessories such as decorative inserts or recessed lighting, as well as surface finish options.
Whether referring to full metal staircases or one that relies on a metal substructure, these types of staircases hold several advantages over commonly used alternatives, such as full timber builds. This includes:
