Stairs With Walls on Both Sides: Design Ideas

17, Sep, 2026

You are halfway up the stairs when you realise how little room you have. The walls are close on both sides, the landing is dark, and carrying a laundry basket already feels awkward. Moving a sofa upstairs is even worse. Stairs with walls on both sides often create these everyday frustrations, but a full rebuild is not always needed. Start by understanding why the staircase feels so narrow.

Why Do Stairs Between Two Walls Feel So Narrow?

Two walls remove the visual openness you get from a balustrade. In a narrow hallway, this effect becomes even stronger. Dark paint, bulky wall lights and heavy finishes add to the enclosed feeling. Poor natural light also makes the staircase feel smaller than its actual width.

Start with the walls and lighting before changing the staircase itself. A lighter finish, slim wall-mounted lighting and a well-positioned mirror near the landing help reflect available light without taking up floor space.

For older London homes, the problem often comes with other restrictions. Victorian properties frequently have steep stairs, narrow layouts and limited natural light, so every change needs to work with the existing house. Denham Crescent's guide to staircase renovation covers several approaches for updating these common problems. 

Do Stairs With Walls on Both Sides Need a Handrail?

Having a wall beside the staircase does not automatically remove the need for a handrail. For private domestic stairs in England, Approved Document K provides guidance on handrails, stair dimensions and protection from falling. A handrail should sit between 900mm and 1000mm above the pitch line, and stairs 1000mm or wider need handrails on both sides under the guidance.

A wall-mounted handrail often works best for stairs between two walls. It keeps the staircase visually clean whilst giving users something secure to hold. The rail also needs enough space from the wall for a comfortable grip. Fixing it securely into a suitable part of the wall matters more than choosing an attractive finish.

What Is the Best Handrail for Stairs Between Two Walls?

A slim timber or metal wall-mounted rail works well where floor space is limited. Choose a profile you can grip rather than a wide decorative rail designed mainly for appearance. A continuous rail also makes the staircase easier to use because your hand does not need to search for a new grip halfway up.

For an older property, timber often suits existing flooring, doors and joinery. A simple painted rail works well in a modern hallway. If the staircase is already narrow, avoid bulky brackets or oversized rails. Every centimetre matters when the walls are already close together.

How Do You Make an Enclosed Staircase Brighter?

Lighting is one of the easiest ways to change an enclosed staircase. Wall lights at regular intervals remove dark patches without reducing the stair width. Recessed lighting or concealed LED strips offer another option where the existing walls and wiring allow them.

Use lighter wall colours if the staircase receives little daylight. A brighter ceiling also helps reflect light down the stairwell. If the staircase borders another room, internal glazing might bring borrowed light into the hallway. This requires careful consideration where a wall forms part of the structure or provides fire separation. The aim is not to make the staircase look larger through decoration alone. Good lighting should make every step easier to see.

Are Stairs With Walls on Both Sides Harder for Furniture?

Sometimes, yes. The biggest issue is not the straight flight but the landing and corners. A large sofa might fit the stair width but still fail to turn at the top. Wardrobes and mattresses create similar problems. Measure the full route before buying. Check the stair width, landing dimensions, ceiling height, and turning points rather than measuring only the steps. 

Recent government-commissioned research has also examined domestic stair design, including handrail provision and stair dimensions.

Should You Remove One Wall Beside the Staircase?

Opening one side of an enclosed staircase changes more than its appearance. Removing a wall might bring more light into the hallway and create space for a glass or open balustrade. It also makes the staircase feel less enclosed.

Before removing anything, establish whether the wall supports the structure above, contains services, or forms part of the home's fire protection. Denham Crescent's structural works service covers structural alterations and assessments of existing buildings, making this an area where professional advice is useful before demolition.

What Finishes Work Best for Enclosed Stairs?

The best staircase renovation depends on the condition and character of the existing stairs.

Timber treads give an older staircase a cleaner appearance. A carpet runner adds comfort and grip whilst keeping the original structure visible. Durable paint works well for risers and walls where the staircase receives heavy daily use.

Wall panelling also adds character, but keep deeper profiles away from already narrow areas. Denham Crescent's staircase renovation guidance covers options including oak treads, carpet runners, glass balustrades and under-stair storage for London homes.

When Should You Renovate Stairs With Walls on Both Sides?

A staircase deserves closer attention when steps feel uneven, the handrail is loose, lighting is poor, or the layout makes everyday use awkward.

Structural changes need assessment before work begins. The same applies when a staircase forms part of a loft conversion or when a wall beside the stairs is being removed.

Make Your Enclosed Staircase Work Better

Stairs with walls on both sides do not need to feel like a dark passage between floors. The right handrail, lighting, finishes and layout improve everyday use without necessarily requiring a complete staircase replacement.

For homeowners considering a larger staircase renovation, Denham Crescent provides architectural and structural services alongside construction. The team also holds TrustMark partnership status and has Checkatrade and Google reviews listed on its website.