skip to main content

Renovating Design Dilemma Entry

House Reno - stairwell advice

10 months ago

last modified: 10 months ago

Hi all

Would love any ideas/feedback on what to do with our stairwell.

We have recently brought a house which needs a lot of work. The 5/10 year plan is to either rebuild or do a major renovation. In the interim we'd like to give it a small (low budget) refresh and make a few things safer as we have small children. We are struggling with what to do with the stairwell, specifically the stairwell void which is is 'L' shape with a balustrade.

- The stairwell & void cut into the lounge at the front of the house - a key living area.

- The balustrade is currently too low. We would need to add at least 200mm to make it to code, however as the stairwell void is in front of a window I think it will look weird with a 200mm balustrade visible through the window. And with young children I'm don't know how comfortable we are with keeping the void with a partial wall balustrade that could be climbed over, even if the height was increased.

- Almost half of the stairwell void is under a window, the main window in the lounge (which happens to have a small ocean view), so we don't wait to do anything to interrupt with the view

- We've thought about changing the 'L' shape to wall off a section (see rough mock up) but not sure if this will work...

Would love any thoughts/ideas? I'm not sure if there is a perfect solution given that we don't want to spend a lot on this interim solution but hopefully we can do something better and safer that what we currently have.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

pottsy99
10 months ago
I have no idea what the relevant building rules are for your area , but I like your 'jailbar' idea , timber ( I'm guessing you'd need to get good solid timber -- no knots that may crack when someone runs into it playing indoor rugby haha ) stained dark -- it would contrast and compliment the lighter honey stained timber .

It looks like your idea though is to take it straight across to the window ? I'd follow the existing L shape -- it would make the room a bit darker , but the stairwell would be as light as at present , plus there'd be no extra problems with taller people or furniture up the stairwell .
Amy Flanagan thanked pottsy99
PRO
Lauren Shiels Interior Design
10 months ago
Hi there.

Some timber slatting would look great, I was thinking the same thing.

I agree with Pottsy about bringing the slatting round the L shape there too, it just looks more finished and creates a nook within that L shape that could be styled really nicely.

The remaining wall next to the window could perhaps have some plants or a piece of furniture in front to prevent the kids looking over the edge and to finish off that angle.

I think if you could get a similar tone to the ceiling it would be the best choice in finish, this should blend in with the architecture here not stick out.
Related Discussions
1940's NZ kitchen - small, awkward-ish layout.
Q
Comments (121)
I would suggest you take out the cabinet that is to the right of the stove and use it elsewhere in the house -- perhaps in the bathroom or dining room with a hutch above it. Then, I would suggest you have someone install a lazy susan cabinet in the corner between the sink counter and the stove, meaning you would move the stove down a bit and have a small cabinet/counter top to the right of the stove. I would suggest you have the cabinets refinished in white and then paint the walls a pastel you like. If you would prefer white walls, then add white-painted crown molding and paint the ceiling a light neutral blue, such as Sherwin Williams Niagara Falls Blue. Then, I would suggest you choose a favorite accent color and use this sparingly in accessories like towels, pot holders, small vases or floral arrangements, and a valence above the triple windows. For a genuine 1940s look, you might have white ceramic square tiles with a rectangular red border installed as a back splash behind and above the stove. If you are replacing counter tops, I would suggest a light color such as white with a beige or light grey vein or striation for some sort of pattern. You might be able to find the same color and design in floor tile OR opt for a wood floor as another poster suggested.
...See More
An old beach house badly needing a paint job!
Q
Comments (41)
The setting is quite tropical, so a darker scheme with white trims has such a tropical holiday feel. You may consider using a concrete face brick for the lower section. This will be modern, and eliminate the need for painting, while still creating contrast with the upper level. Try a colour for the main house like Resene Evolution, or Quarter Evolution, both would be perfect for your style of home. The colour scheme that we recommend for you is our Rainforest Board which includes everything you need to bring the look together! https://www.bodoboards.com.au/collections/paint-concept/products/rainforest-paint-concept We would love to see updates as you go.. its going to be great!
...See More
Kitchen Reno for Retirement
Q
Comments (13)
These houses were designed to look good from the street, regardless of what the orientation was for the Sun. Everything depends on your budget and how far your prepared to go. A friend's house in Queenstown faced the street, the toilet and bathroom had the best view of the lake and the Sun. They got a house removal Coy in, jacked it up put it on the truck drove out and turned it around and reconnected all the services. It then faced the North and West great views and warmth, doubled its value in 3 days!. I replaced my storage water cylinder with a outside gas one, picked up enormous space in our laundry. Another tip is to draw up your "dream" plan, then overlay it over the existing and see what you can really do, your then not influenced by what is already there, and often get a much better insight and removed from the existing. Good luck, its very rewarding and make it fun!
...See More
Advice please, mini bathroom reno DIY
Q
Comments (0)
We have just scraped together to buy our first home, everything is liveable, but it does have some of its 70s originals which I can mostly deal with but would like to do a little diy on the bathroom to be able to enjoy it a bit more until we can afford a full on reno. Any suggestion is on what we could do with this? Yes, the Lino is diabolical but it runs right through the laundry into the pink kitchen so will have to consider a few things before replacing this! TIA :)
...See More

More Discussions

Merging bathroom / toilet

2

kitchen Renovation

0

A Radical New Redesign Of How We Build Houses

0

Fluted glass shower door?

0

Pendant lights above sofa

2