Your Guide to Compact Stairlifts for Narrow Stairs

Worried that a stairlift might overwhelm your staircase? You're not alone. Some homeowners hesitate to install a stairlift because they're concerned about it dominating their stairs or making the space feel cramped. On the contrary, innovative designs, like the Starla stairlift, prove that you don't have to choose between accessibility and maintaining an open, welcoming home. With expert engineering and customizable options, stairlifts can improve your home's functionality while preserving its character and space.

 

A compact stairlift maximizes space efficiency without compromising on comfort or safety. It features slim rails that hug your stairs' contours and seats that fold away neatly when not in use. With a compact stairlift, you can maintain full accessibility while keeping your stairway open and inviting for other family members and visitors who do not need the lift.

 

The Starla stairlift has a slim profile and elegant folding mechanisms, while offering an unmatched level of customizability and comfort that makes it our second most popular chair. When folded, it occupies minimal space, with the footrest, arms, and seat tucking away smoothly against the wall.

 

When choosing a stairlift, space efficiency becomes crucial, especially if you have a narrow staircase or want to make sure others can still use the stairs comfortably. Compact stairlifts address these concerns while providing all the safety and comfort features you need. Here's why they might be the perfect choice for your home:

 

Preserve Your Home's Character

A compact stairlift like the Starla seamlessly integrates into your home's design. It complements your décor with customizable upholstery options and a choice of light or dark wood trim. The slim rail design allows your staircase to maintain its original charm while gaining functionality.

Maximize Space Efficiency

Compact stairlifts are designed to take up the least amount of space on your stairs. The rail is installed as close to the wall as possible and features like a powered folding footrest ensure the chair can be tucked away with the push of a button when not in use.

Keep Stairs Accessible for Everyone

Whether you have family members who still use the stairs or welcome frequent visitors, a compact stairlift keeps your staircase easily accessible to all. When folded, these chairs leave plenty of room for others to move about as they need.

Adaptable to Various Stair Types

Compact stairlifts work with virtually any staircase configuration. Whether you have straight, curved, or spiral stairs, solutions like the Starla can be custom-fitted to follow every turn while maintaining a minimal footprint.

 

Installing a stairlift in a narrow staircase requires careful planning and expertise. At Stannah, we've refined our installation process over decades so even the most challenging spaces can accommodate a safe, comfortable stairlift solution. Our comprehensive approach considers every aspect of your home's unique architecture while prioritizing both functionality and aesthetics.

 

Professional Measurement is Key

Before installation, a Stannah advisor takes precise measurements of your staircase. We use carefully honed measuring techniques to account for every curve, surface, and potential obstacle.

Expert Rail Design and Installation

We can provide rail options to best suit your staircase. Our rail systems are designed to be mounted as close to the wall as possible. Need your stairs completely clear? We can even arrange for your chair to park around a corner when not in use. Additional options, like our retractable straight rail, can accommodate staircases with a door at the bottom. Depending on your final installation requirements, our installers can work around existing features like handrails to maintain your home's character.

Safety Features That Don't Compromise Space

Compact doesn't mean cutting corners on safety. The Starla, for example, includes edge sensors, a pressure-sensitive seat, and a retractable seatbelt. Our installation team carefully calibrates each safety feature to work perfectly within your specific space.

Post-Installation Space Optimization

After installation, our team will demonstrate how to make the most of your new stairlift's space-saving features. We'll show you how to efficiently fold the chair when not in use, operate the powered footrest, and use the call buttons to position your stairlift where you need it. We'll also verify that all folding mechanisms work smoothly and that the chair parks precisely where intended.