Two-story homes can become serious safety hazards for those who develop mobility challenges as they age. No one wants to leave their home because of accessibility issues and a stairlift can greatly improve quality of life and independence. Many old homes have narrow staircases and finding stairlifts for small spaces can seem difficult but we have several options that will fit into any stairway.
Modern homes generally have a 36” wide staircase, although handrails or newel posts can make the usable space smaller. If your staircase is less than 30” wide, it falls into the narrow staircase category. The team at HomeLift has installed many stairlifts in narrow staircases. Every staircase is unique, so connecting with an experienced team for an in-home assessment is a crucial step. Here are some of the options we might suggest for narrow spaces:
Premium Stairlift with Endless Customization: Handicare Freecurve
This stairlift is primarily designed for curved staircases but its slim profile makes it an excellent choice for tight spaces. When folded for storage, it only takes up 10.5 inches, and open, it measures 24-26 inches from the wall. The single-tube track allows it to be installed in virtually any space and there are design and color options to suit your decor. Excellent safety features make the ride on the Handicare Freecurve comfortable and secure for users up to 275 pounds. Buckle up at the top or bottom of the staircase, use the remote to start moving, and sensors automatically stop the chair if there’s something blocking the track.
- Custom-designed rail made to fit your stairs.
- Patented multi-drive friction technology.
- One-person load capacity of 275 lb. capacity.
- 10-year warranty on the motor and gearbox; 2-year warranty on parts and labor.
Because it’s more specialized, the Freecurve isn’t the most affordable option Handicare offers. If you have a straight staircase and you can fit a slightly larger stairlift, the Handicare 1100 might be a better choice.
Best for Straight Staircases and Simple Installations: Handicare 1100
The folded Handicare has a very slim profile at 12.6 inches, and 21-23 inches when open. It’s a quiet, smooth, robust stairlift that’s easy to maintain. The contemporary design allows the 1100 to blend into any environment, becoming a complementary piece in your home instead of an eyesore. It has all the safety features of the Freecurve at a more affordable cost.
- Patented multi-drive friction technology
- Manual swivel seat and manual swivel footrest. Powered options are available on both the seat and footrest for an additional cost.
- One-person load capacity of 300 lbs.
- 10-year warranty on the motor and gearbox; 2-year warranty on parts and labor.
Slim Stairlift with a Folding Rail: Bruno Elan Straight
The Bruno Elan straight stairlift is one of the most popular stairlifts for small spaces. Its folded dimensions will fit almost any staircase at 12 inches, and open, it has a projection of 23 inches. The Bruno Elan’s standard functionality meets most people’s needs but there are some great upgrade options. The optional power footrest is particularly helpful if you have back issues and want to avoid leaning over to fold the footrest. Also, a manual or power folding rail is a common option for when the rail at a bottom landing creates an obstruction due to doorways or traffic patterns.
- Space-saving design – this stairlift fits most stairways.
- Manual swivel seat and manual fold footrest.
- One-person load capacity of 300 lbs.
- Lifetime warranty on the motor and gearbox; 2-year warranty on parts and labor.
The options above are just a few examples of stairlifts that can work in your home. There is no stairway too narrow to accommodate one of our compact stairlifts for small spaces. We are dedicated to helping you find your best option. Because each staircase is unique and each user has unique needs, working with an experienced stairlift company is important. You and your loved ones deserve the freedom and comfort that mobility tools provide. Give us a call to speak to one of our Aging in Place Experts or arrange a free in-home estimate.