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How we work
Bespoke Oak Staircases for Discerning Homeowners
At First Step Designs, we work hand-in-hand with our clients to conceptualise, design, fabricate, and install oak staircases that turn heads and demand attention. After recently having a First Step Designs oak staircase featured on Grand Designs and another winning the Build It 2024 Award for Best Staircase, we can confidently say that we are the leading UK authority in creating bespoke oak staircases that combine innovative design and flawless craftsmanship.
First Step Designs sets the standard for oak staircase excellence.
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The Benefits
Our Oak Staircases: Millimetre-Perfect and Flawlessly Finished
We love working with oak. It’s deeply satisfying to see it slowly take shape throughout the fabrication process, edged away millimetre by millimetre to exactly the right dimensions before being hand-finished to bring out the natural grain, shades, and patterns embedded in the wood.
Every step of the process demonstrates our love and respect for nature's most beautiful material: wood. We work with our clients to bring out the best in both their staircase and their homes, considering different balustrade and tread designs, finishes, and embellishments that fit their broader aesthetic and personal preferences.
For oak staircases a step above the rest, reach out to First Step Designs.
Words from the designer
As a senior designer at First Step Designs, I love that moment early in the design process when I get to tell my clients, “Let’s see what that looks like in oak.” After a few “oohs” and “aahs,” it’s not uncommon for oak to become a leading contender for tread and/or balustrade material. Show me a staircase design, and I’ll show you how the right application of perfectly finished oak can elevate it.
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The Results
What the right staircase can do for your home
Staircases, being the most prominent feature of a home, have the ability to either enhance or detract from its overall appearance. Even older staircases, or those in need of repair, draw our eyes toward them. When installed by professionals who understand all aspects of high-quality staircase design and fabrication, the right set of stairs does more than pull attention; it demands it.
First Step Designs exclusively designs and builds bespoke staircases that make a statement. We do not use any prefabricated or off-the-shelf components; instead, we choose to design and assemble 100% unique staircases that guarantee stunning focal points, a more beautiful and comfortable home, and increased property value.
If you’re looking for new stairs or a staircase renovation that will turn heads but you’re not sure where to start, visit our Inspiration Gallery or send us images of stairs that you like. Our skilled design team will quickly render them in 3D, giving you the chance to see what stairs from an award-winning fabricator can do for your home.
Oak Staircase FAQs
Do you install across the entire country?
First Step Designs is a leading UK staircase supplier with clients spread out across the UK. If you’re in the UK and looking for the best possible staircase for your home, or need to breathe new life into ageing stairs, reach out to us first for uncompromising quality and attention to detail.
Can you incorporate bespoke lighting into the stairs?
We can seamlessly incorporate a wide range of lighting accessories, decorative elements, and safety features into our bespoke oak staircases. Examples include recessed LED strips, motion-sensor step lights, integrated handrail lighting, non-slip nosings, stair gates, ornamental balusters, and so much more.
If you can dream of it, First Step Designs can beautifully incorporate it into our designs.
Do you do different colour oak stairs?
First Step Designs offers stained oak staircases and staircase components in a wide range of colours and finishes. Additionally, we also offer a custom colour match service to complement other parts of your interior, such as bespoke flooring or accents.
What type of oak do you use?
While different types of oak have unique characteristics that make them a near-ideal staircase material, we prefer to stick to European White Oak. This variety provides attractive and friendly grain and predictably reacts to staining for colour consistency.
Will an oak staircase increase the value of my home?
Yes. Bespoke oak staircases are highly attractive to potential buyers, adding a sense of elegance and luxury to any interior. Coupled with their versatility, ability to complement nearly all aesthetic and design choices, and strength and longevity, oak staircases make homes significantly more attractive on the market.
Planning on selling your home in the future? Reach out to First Step Designs to find out if an oak staircase renovation can help you reach a higher asking price.
Can oak stairs be combined with glass?
Yes, oak stairs pair really well with glass balustrades, and the two materials are frequently combined in bespoke staircase designs. Oak and glass stairs tend to fit really well into both traditional and contemporary homes and complement a broad range of home aesthetic choices.
Can I update my existing staircase with oak cladding?
Yes, you can. Newly installed oak cladding can significantly upgrade worn or dated stairs, giving them a fresh appeal without the hassle or costs of designing and installing a brand-new staircase.
Reach out to First Step Designs to learn more about how oak cladding can help your stairs bring a new sense of warmth and elegance to your home.
How do I treat oak stairs?
Realistically, it is highly unlikely that any set of First Step Designs oak staircases would need any sort of touching up for several years after purchase. All our staircases are French polished to your chosen finish and treated with a high-quality and ultra-durable lacquer for superior protection from day one.
In the unlikely event that your oak stairs are damaged—perhaps due to children damaging components or dropping heavy items on the stairs—we provide a touch-up kit as standard with every staircase, making covering up scratches, scuffs, and other imperfections quick and easy. If this doesn’t cut it, we also offer a staircase refresh service to revitalise tired stairs.
How do I clean oak stairs?
If you have a First Step Designs oak staircase in your home, then cleaning is as simple as wiping it with a damp cloth to remove any dust or dirt that may have collected. Microfibre cloths work exceptionally well for this purpose.
It’s important to note that chemicals and polishes may react with our factory-applied lacquer, lowering its lifespan. If this happens, reach out to us for a reapplication. Taken care of, our lacquer coatings have an expected lifespan of around 10 years.
How much do oak staircases cost?
Oak staircases start at £8,000 and can go up to £30,000, depending on the design. Typically, you can expect a bespoke oak staircase to cost anywhere between £20,000 and £25,000. Factors such as the design complexity, material choices, and installation requirements might all affect the final cost.
Reach out to First Step Designs for a free quote on the oak staircase of your dreams.
Why is oak a good choice for stairs?
Oak has been, and continues to be, one of the most popular types of wood for new staircases and staircase renovations across the UK for decades—and with good reason.
- As a hardwood, oak is exceptionally durable and suited for high-foot-traffic areas, such as stairs, where daily wear and tear might become an issue for softwood species. With a high strength-to-weight ratio, oak is also sturdy and resistant to dents and scratches.
- Oak has a beautiful natural grain that can be stained, polished, or finished to suit a wide range of interior styles. This versatility makes oak a more-than-viable option for period or listed homes, contemporary homes, and even modern, designer homes.
- When purchasing from reputable and responsible suppliers, oak offers an environmentally friendly option for eco-conscious homeowners.
At First Step Designs, we exclusively use hardwoods to ensure maximum quality and durability.
Let’s talk
Get in touch and let us show you how we can transform your home.
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Why Us
Benefits of Oak Staircases
Sustainability
Oak is a renewable resource and we take great care to source ours from responsible and sustainability-focused suppliers. Additionally, oak is biodegradable and leaves a smaller carbon footprint throughout fabrication compared to materials like metal, glass, or plastic.
Timelessness
Oak staircases remain as popular now as they were decades ago. Their warm tones and natural grain patterns give each oak staircase a unique character, and with modern design and fabrication techniques, they work equally well in both period and modern homes.
Unique Finishes
Oak staircases are versatile in terms of finishing choices. They can be stained, painted, milled, and surface treated in a myriad of ways, allowing homeowners and designers to match colours, textures, and other design elements with the rest of the home.
Durability
With modern wood treatments and metal substructures, one can reasonably expect high-quality oak staircases to last for multiple generations. At First Step Designs, we expect our oak staircases to remain in good working order for a minimum of 10 years.
Want to see more?
Check out our Projects and Case Studies to see how we can transform your home.
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Getting Started
First Step Designs: Your First Choice for Bespoke Oak Staircases
We understand that new staircases and staircase renovations are significant investments. Homeowners spend tens of thousands of pounds and months on end hoping that the final product reflects what they want for themselves and their homes.
At First Step Designs, we take stress and uncertainty out of the equation. Before fabrication on a single component begins, we work with our clients to design unique staircases that complement their homes and styles. With accurate and detailed 3D renders, they get to see the final product without months of nervous apprehension, ensuring a smooth and stress-free build or renovation.
For award-winning oak staircases and unparalleled attention to your needs, contact First Step Designs.
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What We Do Best
Sustainably sourced oak and quality standards for peace of mind
First Step Designs is committed to fair and responsible use of our available resources. We make sure to source only responsibly harvested oak from sustainable suppliers holding FSC accreditation.We don’t cut corners and follow a strict protocol for quality control to only deliver products of the highest quality. Our fabrication materials all meet or exceed British quality standards (BS EN 1090 and UK CA for steel and BS 6262 for structural glass), and we are Interpon Redox PZ certified for surface preparation.
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Let’s start making something amazing
Unit 12, Oldfields Business Park
Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent
ST4 3PE
