Wooden Staircases

It’s unlikely that bespoke wooden staircases will ever lose their appeal, especially when designed to impress and engineered to millimetre-perfection. While styles change with time and improved material sciences open up new possibilities, timber staircases remain one of the most popular options for both bespoke home renovations and new builds.

Partnering with First Step Designs means entrusting the UK’s leading modern staircase designers and manufacturers to bring your vision to life as a unique focal point that complements your home from every angle. Whether renovating a contemporary home and looking for a simple, natural wood grain staircase that pairs well with any design motif, or seeking a truly unique design that defines the space, trust First Step Designs to deliver a bespoke staircase that makes the most of timber’s best qualities.

Timber staircases bring a natural warmth that no fabricated material can match. Even the smoothest finishes appear to have depth, texture, and richness, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Where the flawless finishes and sharp lines of steel and glass feel cold and clinical, the subtle imperfections in wood grain add a sense of authenticity and character.

Although timber is softer than steel, high-quality, modern timber staircases offer exceptional performance and durability. Enhanced fabrication and timber treatment techniques mean decades of strength, stability, and resistance to everyday wear and tear, even with minimal upkeep.

At First Step Designs, we craft more bespoke European white oak staircases than any other style. We work hand-in-hand with our clients, architects, and interior designers to design and craft bespoke, modern timber staircases that show off the material’s true potential.

Versatility is arguably timber’s greatest strength as a staircase material. It’s highly workable and durable, and lends itself to a wide variety of staircase styles and configurations. While we also craft full-timber staircases, timber is often used alongside steel or glass to create striking mixed-material designs.

Please visit these pages to see more examples of how we incorporate raw-look and stained European white oak into a wide variety of designs and styles:

Oak Staircases
Grey Oak Staircases
Central Spine Staircases
Floating Staircases

At First Step Designs, we don’t do timber staircases from a catalogue. We don’t pre-fabricate and we don’t mass produce. We instead design each staircase from the ground up, guiding our clients through various timber styles, complementary material choices, and finishing options.

• Staircase style: Timber works well on all styles and layouts of staircases, including straight, L-shape, zig-zag, central spine, floating, and more.
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• Tread style: From slimline, open-tread designs to our signature 112mm Chunky Oak treads, we craft full timber treads for minimalist and statement staircases, and everything in between.

• Balustrades: Opt for beautifully finished timber newel posts and bespoke curved handrails in traditional or contemporary designs, or consider other material options to achieve a specific look or feel.

• Details and finishing: From clear coats that enhance and protect the natural grain to deep, rich stains in a wide range of hues, we offer finishing options for all design preferences. We also offer a custom colour matching service to complement other parts of your interior, such as bespoke flooring, accent colours, or feature walls.

• Lighting and features: Enhance your timber staircase with recessed LED lighting, motion sensors, and other smart-home functionality.Reach out to our design team for an obligation-free consultation today.

When small details matter and you’re not settling for second-best, choose First Step Designs. As winners of the 2024 Build It Award for Best UK Staircase, having recently been featured on Grand Designs, and building a strong portfolio of high-profile projects, we’re confident that we’re the right team to deliver your statement timber stairs.

From initial contact to final quality checks, we take a client-first approach that focuses on your needs. We take great care to ensure a streamlined and stress-free project, working proactively to keep you up to date and collaborating with your other contractors for a seamless, timely, and in-budget build.

For a staircase that exceeds every expectation, choose the team that sets the bar for bespoke timber staircases. Choose First Step Designs.