It’s a practical question that comes up regularly, and the answer isn’t always as straightforward as people expect because it really depends on the configuration of your staircase. The side a stairlift is fitted on depends on the layout of your stairs, where the wall and bannisters are, and most importantly where you need to get to when you step off the lift at the top and bottom of the stairs.
The good news is that in most cases a stairlift can be fitted on either side, and working out which side is best for you is something we assess carefully during the survey.
Straight Staircases: Which Side Does the Rail Go On?
For a straight staircase, the stairlift rail is normally fitted on the wall side rather than the bannister side. This keeps the stairlift fitting closer to the wall, leaves more of the staircase clear, and generally makes for a neater installation.
If your staircase has a wall on both sides, the decision comes down to which direction you’ll be facing when you get off the lift. Think about where your living areas are. When the chair swivels at the top of the stairs, which way do you want to be facing to step off safely and move into the landing or bedroom? Also, if there is more wall space at the bottom of the stairs on one side or the other to park the stairlift when not in use. That’s something we’ll work through with you during the survey.
Curved Staircases: More Flexibility, More to Consider
For curved staircases, the rail can be fitted on either side of the stairs depending on what works best for the layout of your home and the needs of the person using the lift.
One of the most common reasons for fitting a curved stairlift on the banister side rather than the wall side is a doorway at the bottom of the stairs. If there’s a door close to the bottom of the staircase on the wall side, fitting the rail on that side could block access to the door. In that situation, we’d typically run the rail around the banister side instead, keeping the doorway clear and making sure you can get on and off the lift without any obstruction.
The same principle applies at the top of the stairs. We look at where you need to get to once you’ve stepped off the lift, whether that’s a bedroom, a bathroom, or a landing, and position the rail so the chair swivels you in the right direction.
What We Look At During the Survey
Working out which side the stairlift should be fitted on is one of the things we assess during the free home survey. We look at:
- Where the wall and bannisters are
- Any doorways or obstacles at the top or bottom of the stairs
- Where the living areas and rooms are that you need to access
- The layout of the landing at the top
- The specific mobility needs and preferences of the person who’ll be using the lift
Getting this right from the start means the stairlift works properly for you from day one. It’s not something to guess at, which is why we always recommend a home survey before any decisions are made.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a stairlift be moved to the other side if it’s fitted on the wrong side?
No it can’t. A full site survey is required to determine which side of the stairs will be best to fit the stairlift on so a stairlift is normally not situated on the wrong side of the stairs.
Does it matter which side the banister is on?
Stairlifts are handed normally to go up the right or left hand side of the stairs. On a straight staircase we’d generally fit on the wall side, on a curved model we can fit on either side determined on the free home survey.
Can the chair face either direction?
The chair normally swivels at the top and bottom of the stairs to allow you to get on and off safely. The direction it faces when stationary is determined by which side of the staircase the rail is fitted on. This is another reason why getting the right side matters.
What if I have a preference for which side?
Tell us. If you have a strong preference for one side over the other, we’ll take that into account during the survey and give you the best advice possible on which side of the stairs we think will work best for you, given the layout of your staircase.
Find Out What Works Best for Your Stairs
The only reliable way to work out which side is right for your specific staircase is a free home survey. We come out, look at everything that matters, and make a recommendation based on your home and your needs.
We cover a wide area across the South and South West of England including Wiltshire, Bath, Bristol, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Dorset, Hampshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and surrounding areas, from our offices in Calne and Ferndown. A free home survey is always the first step and there’s no obligation to proceed.
Give us a call on 01249 814528 and we’ll be happy to help. You can also contact us on our enquiry form.
We have a showroom in our offices in Calne and in Ferndown where you can try out a stairlift for yourself.
Author & Review
Written by Coral Affleck-Major, Director and Co-Owner of 1st Choice Stairlifts. Coral has worked in the stairlift and home access industry since 1996, helping thousands of customers understand their options and make the right decision for their home.
Technically reviewed by Colin Major, Technical Director and Co-Owner, with experience in stairlift installation, servicing, and technical support since 1987. All advice is based on real-world experience and best practice across a wide range of stairlift installations.
