Ask Joshua - Should I gut and rebuild my staircase?

Hi Joshua,

Recently, I moved into this beautiful, newly built townhouse. While browsing through your blog, I came across your design tips on making homes stand out from cookie-cutter houses. I absolutely adore my new home but there are some cookie-cutter kind of elements of it since it’s in a development of townhomes. What bothers me most is the staircase and I was wondering if I should consider changing it up - like something majorly different. I'm a bit hesitant about the risks involved and whether it's truly worth the investment. I would greatly appreciate your advice on this matter!

Thank you,

Jessica - Santa Clarita, California

Scandinavian curved staircases. Image created using AI via Canva

Hi Jessica,

Thank you for sharing your thoughts on the question about whether to make some changes to your staircase in your townhome. I appreciate your insight, and you're right; such a project can be costly, challenging, and risky, causing many people to opt for less drastic changes like updating railings, steps, or adding paint, wallpaper, or tile to the risers. However, since you mentioned that the current staircase design is bothering you, if a complete rebuild would bring you happiness, I say go for it! It's essential, though, to consult with a reliable local contractor who has excellent references to determine if it's feasible within your budget and makes sense architecturally for your home.

If a full rebuild isn't possible, there are still ways to improve the staircase's appearance by making changes to the railing, steps, or painting them. Wall treatments, such as wallpaper, can also make a significant difference. I wish you the best of luck with your staircase project, and please don't hesitate to reach out if you need any further assistance or guidance on how to achieve that.

Warmly,

Joshua

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