Spiral Staircase

[maggiebee]

Hi

I'm a new here but have been reading your helpful postings and hope you can help me.

We have seen a lovely village house which we hope to buy. Our only concern is that it has a spiral staircase. Do any of you have one in your home? How much of a problem is it? The kitchen is upstairs so would have to get shopping, gas etc up it. Also a bit concerned about moving in!

Look forward to your replies. Thank you.

[fincalospinos]

We had one in a house in the UK and had to virtualy dismantle it to get any furniture upstairs, and even then we had to be very careful to buy small items only.
They look good and free up floor space, but they are a nightmare.

[Grouser]

We have a rather tight spiral staircase from the living room to the roof terrace in our village house. It can be rather difficult bringing trays of stuff down from the terrace as you can't see where your feet are going, but it was the only practical solution to getting up there without taking up half the room space. It looks good too. However it is a restraint on what you can get up there, although the only problem with the gas would be muscle power. Do you have a large window you could get items of furniture through should you need to?

[masterob]

Had two spiral staircases in a three storey house in UK. They take up much less space and can look attractive but climbing up and down them, especially carrying things is a big disadvantage. Unless you have flat pack furniture or items that can be disassembled it´s impossible to get large furniture items up (or down) them. Fortunately the house had large sash windows and some furniture had to be hoisted up into the upper rooms.
Promised never again to have a spiral staircase!

[maggiebee]

Thank you for your replies - I guess you have confirmed what I thought. Still, I love the house, so it may be worth the hassle.........?

[annie_d]

very bad feng shui too. not at all auspicious, unfortunately.

[keddyboy]

We have a spiral staircase and I agree with the comments already made re furniture etc but no problem is insurmountable.
Mt father who is 81, however, thinks it is a safe staircase as due to its narrowness he finds getting up and down stairs easy.

[maggiebee]

I was really interested to hear about your father,Keddyboy - thank you. I had assumed it would become more difficult as I get older but I can see what he means about feeling safer. We're going over next week to make our decision!