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First Step Designs is a leading UK designer, fabricator, and installer of bespoke central spine staircases. Over the last 10 years, we’ve helped dozens of homeowners in Cheshire and its surroundings improve their homes with central spine staircases that act as a dramatic and impressive centrepiece, elevate their homes’ value, and command attention.
In 2023 and 2024 alone, First Step Designs was featured onGrand Designs, won the Best Staircase award at the 2024 Build ItAwards, and we’ve been working on increasingly high-profile projects. We look forward to showing you why we’re fast becoming a dominant name in the UK custom staircase industry.
Unlike many of our competitors, we custom design and fabricate every part of your staircase ourselves, steering clear of stock items and box sections covered in unsightly welds. Our spines feature laser-cut profiles, custom-fabricated into a seamless architectural structure that’s visually flawless and with no visible manufacturing details.
Reach out to us for an obligation-free discussion about how we can help you build a central spine staircase that complements your home, personal taste, and style, creating an architectural feature that enhances your home.
Designing, fabricating, and installing central spine staircases comes with a unique set of challenges and considerations when compared to other types of staircases. We factor in the differences in structural loads, rely on high-precision engineering and fabrication practices to ensure stability and understand the importance of a perfect-fit installation, among many other unique considerations.
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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.
First of all, they’re beautiful. When designed right and fabricated with care, central spine staircases can add a certain—and we’re really not trying to sound snobbish here— ‘touch of class’ to an indoor space. They’re sleek, appear to float in midair from certain angles, and can complement any aesthetic with the right detailing and finishes.
For some homeowners, central spine staircases are simply the logical choice. Homes with floor-to-ceiling glass walls, uninterrupted panoramic views, or custom-designed walls with specific features or materials all benefit from stairs that don’t need wall-mounted anchor points, ensuring that your feature walls remain features and don’t become fixtures.
In more compact homes, open central spine staircases with a smaller footprint help to save space while also allowing for maximum natural sunlight in the room.
Yes. Simply send us your measurements, plans, or inspiration photos, and we’ll provide a detailed, no-obligation quote within 24 hours—no home visit required.
European oak is one of the most durable and stable hardwoods available. Combined with our specialist treatments and surface finishes, your staircase will resist warping, denting, and general wear, even in high-traffic family homes.
It does. The visual weight and tone of dark oak help anchor open spaces and add definition without the need for walls or partitions. It draws the eye and creates strong focal points—especially when set against light or neutral backdrops.
Yes, dark oak can be used in a wide variety of staircase configurations, including floating stairs, central spine, cantilever, helical, and more. Whether you’re after a full timber build or dark oak cladding on a steel frame, we can design it to suit.
Yes. We’ve developed our own in-house finishes that offer a range of deep tones—from smoked and espresso oaks to cooler charcoal finishes. During the design phase, we’ll show you real samples to ensure the final look matches your vision perfectly.
Not at all. Our in-house staining and finishing processes protect the wood against everyday wear, scuffing, and fading. With basic care, your dark oak staircase will continue to look sharp and polished for decades to come.
All of our oak is responsibly harvested from FSC-accredited suppliers in Europe. Sustainability is a key priority at First Step Designs, and we only use high-quality materials that meet strict environmental and ethical standards.
Yes. Many of our clients choose to incorporate dark oak selectively—for example, on the treads, risers, or handrail—while using contrasting materials like glass or steel elsewhere. Our design team will help you find the right balance for your home’s style.
Absolutely. While often associated with heritage interiors, dark oak is incredibly versatile. Paired with metal, glass, or minimalist framing, it creates a bold, contemporary look that works beautifully in open-plan, architectural, or modern living spaces.
Dark oak offers a rich, dramatic tone that elevates any interior space—modern or traditional. It’s a timeless material that adds depth, warmth, and character, making it a popular choice for homeowners looking to create a strong design statement that lasts.
