Curved vs Straight Stairlift: Which Is Right for Your Home?

If you’re considering a stairlift for your home, one of the first questions you’ll come across is whether you need a curved or straight stairlift. It’s a crucial decision, and not just in terms of design or price. The right stairlift can give you or your loved ones the freedom to move safely and independently around the home.

Stairlifts can truly transform lives by enhancing daily independence, safety, and overall well-being, making it easier for users to remain in their homes and maintain their quality of life.

At Multicare Mobility, we’ve been helping families across the UK choose the right mobility equipment for over 38 years. We know it’s not always an easy decision, especially when it comes to navigating stairs safely. That’s why we’ve put together this in-depth guide to help you understand the key differences between curved and straight stairlifts, so you can decide which is best for your needs, your home, and your peace of mind.

What Is a Stairlift and Who Needs One?

Let’s start with the basics. A stairlift is a motorised chair that runs on a rail fitted to your staircase, allowing you to move up and down the stairs with ease. Whether you’re recovering from surgery, managing a long-term health condition, or supporting a loved one with limited mobility, a stairlift can restore independence and reduce the risk of accidents on the stairs. Stairlifts can be tailored to fit the unique layout and requirements of any house, ensuring safety and accessibility for all residents and seamlessly integrating with the architectural features of your home.

Our stairlifts are carefully selected to meet the highest standards in mobility equipment compliance and come with CE marking, assuring you that every model is safe, legal, and built to last.

Straight Stairlifts: What You Need to Know

What is a straight stairlift?

A straight stairlift is designed for stairs that go in a straight line from top to bottom, without any curves, landings, or corners. Straight stairlifts are ideal for connecting different floors in a house, providing easy access between levels.

They are a practical solution for users who need to move safely between floors, making multi-level living more accessible.

The rail is mounted directly to the stairs, not the wall, ensuring a quick and clean installation process without damaging the wall.

When is a straight stairlift suitable?

• Your staircase has no turns or intermediate landings

• You have a clear, unobstructed run of stairs

• You live in a standard home with straight stairs

• Straight stairlifts are available in a range of models to suit the specifications of most standard staircases

Benefits of a straight stairlift

• Cost-effective: Generally more affordable than curved models due to their simpler design

• Quick installation: In many cases, we can install a straight stairlift in just a few hours

• Easy to service and maintain: Simpler rails mean easier upkeep

• Shorter lead time: Straight rails are usually in stock and ready to go

• Space-saving design: The stairlift can fold up neatly when not in use, keeping your staircase clear and tidy

Straight stairlifts also offer convenient features, such as fast installation and simple, user-friendly controls that fit seamlessly into your daily routine.

At Multicare Mobility, we offer straight stairlifts from leading manufacturers, including Handicare and Platinum, all fully compliant with UK safety standards and CE marking regulations for mobility aids.

Installing or using a straight stairlift is a breeze, making the whole process stress-free for homeowners.

Curved Stairlifts: What Makes Them Different?

What is a curved stairlift?

A curved stairlift is custom-built to follow the shape of a staircase that includes bends, corners, or half-landings. These stairlifts feature rails that are specially measured and manufactured to suit your home.

The unique features of your staircase matter when selecting a curved stairlift, as each installation is tailored to your home's requirements.

When is a curved stairlift the right choice?

• Your staircase has turns or corners

• You have a spiral staircase or an intermediate landing

• You’d like the lift to carry on around a corner at the top or bottom for added convenience

Benefits of a curved stairlift

• Tailored to your home: A made-to-measure solution for complex staircases

• Seamless travel: No need to switch chairs or use multiple lifts

• Parking options: The rail can continue past the staircase for easy dismount

• Modern design: Bespoke rails and customisable finishes are available to blend seamlessly with your home's décor

We offer curved stairlifts from trusted brands like Flow X and Bespoke, all of which meet mobility equipment compliance standards and are CE marked for safety and reliability.

Straight vs Curved Stairlifts: Key Differences at a Glance

Both straight and curved stairlifts are designed to guide users safely in the intended direction along the staircase, ensuring a smooth and secure journey.

Understanding Costs and Value

It’s natural to wonder about cost, after all, a stairlift is an investment in your independence and safety. Straight stairlifts usually start at a lower price because the rails are standardised. In contrast, curved stairlifts are more expensive due to their custom design and the additional installation costs.

But price isn’t everything. We’ll always help you weigh up the cost vs value, factoring in comfort, long-term reliability, and safety. And rest assured, all our stairlifts, whether straight or curved, are carefully selected for their durability, usability, and full compliance with UK regulations, including CE marking for mobility aids.

You can also expect a no-pressure sales approach, so you can make informed decisions at your own pace.

Safety, CE Marking, and Compliance: Why It Matters

One of the most important (yet often overlooked) factors when choosing a stairlift is mobility equipment compliance.

At Multicare Mobility, every stairlift we supply and install is CE marked. This CE mark is your assurance that the product meets the essential health, safety, and environmental protection standards as required by UK and European law.

Additionally, all our stairlifts come equipped with a seatbelt to ensure user safety and stability during operation.

Why is CE marking important?

• Ensures the stairlift meets all legal safety requirements

• Guarantees compatibility with other approved mobility aids

• Provides peace of mind to you and your loved ones

• Shows the manufacturer is accountable for product safety

We go above and beyond to ensure our stairlifts meet mobility equipment compliance laws, so you never need to worry about faulty or unsafe products. Every product we install is independently tested, certified, and maintained to industry standards.

The Importance of a Home Survey

Choosing the right stairlift for your home starts with a thorough home survey, a vital step that ensures your new stairlift is the perfect fit for your staircase and your lifestyle. At Multicare Mobility, our friendly experts are dedicated to making this process as smooth and informative as possible, whether you have curved stairs, straight staircases, or something more unique.

During your free, no-obligation home survey, our team will visit your home to carefully assess your staircase, taking precise measurements and noting any curves, landings, or special features. This allows us to recommend the ideal solution, whether that’s one of our custom-built curved stairlifts or a sleek straight stairlift. We’ll also take the time to discuss your daily life and specific needs, such as the desire for easy-to-use controls, a swivel seat for safe transfers, or a powered footrest for added comfort.

Our goal is to ensure your stairlift not only fits your staircase perfectly but also matches your home’s décor and supports your independence. We’ll talk you through the available features, from smooth start and stop technology to advanced safety features like seatbelts and obstruction sensors, so you can feel confident and protected every time you use your stairlift.

Once we’ve completed the survey, we’ll provide you with a tailored quote for your chosen stairlift, taking into account your preferences and budget. We offer a wide range of affordable stairlifts, and our installation process is designed to be quick, mess-free, and minimally disruptive to your daily routine. Our team will handle everything from customising your stairlift to installing it safely and efficiently, so you can enjoy a smooth, reliable ride from the moment it’s installed.

At Multicare Mobility, we’re committed to quality and ongoing support. All our stairlifts are manufactured to the highest standards and come with comprehensive maintenance and aftercare services, ensuring your stairlift continues to perform safely and reliably for years to come.

What to Consider When Choosing Your Stairlift

We understand that no two homes, or people, are the same. That’s why we always start with a free, no-obligation home assessment, where one of our friendly advisors will talk you through your options and help you choose what works best for your space, mobility needs, and budget.

Here are a few things we’ll consider together:

1. Your staircase layout

Is it straight, curved, L-shaped, or spiral? This determines the rail type you need.

2. Available space

Some staircases are narrow or have tight turns. We’ll measure everything to ensure your stairlift is the perfect fit.

3. User mobility and comfort

Are there issues with joints, balance, or pain? We’ll help you select features like swivel seats, powered footrests, or armrests for added ease and comfort.

• Simple controls are essential for ease of use, allowing users to operate the stairlift with minimal effort.

Having intuitive control options ensures that users of all abilities can operate the stairlift safely and confidently.

4. Power source and battery

All our stairlifts run on battery power with a mains charger, so even in a power cut, you’re not stranded.

5. Aesthetic preferences

Choose from a range of upholstery styles, colours, and rail finishes to match your décor.

Why Choose Multicare Mobility?

We know that choosing a stairlift is about more than just going upstairs. It’s about restoring confidence, reducing risk, and preserving independence. That’s why we put your safety and satisfaction at the heart of everything we do.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Over 38 years’ experience in mobility solutions

•  Friendly, family-run service with no pushy sales tactics

• Nationwide coverage with quick installation times

• Expert engineers trained in mobility equipment compliance

• Free home assessments and honest, practical advice

• All stairlifts CE are marked and installed to UK safety standards

Whether you're just starting to explore stairlifts or ready to book a home survey, we're here to guide you every step of the way.

Final Thoughts: Which Stairlift Is Right for You?

Choosing between a curved or straight stairlift ultimately depends on your home’s layout and your personal needs. If you’ve got a simple, straight staircase and want a fast, affordable solution, a straight stairlift could be the ideal fit. But if your staircase includes bends or landings, or if you’d like a more tailored installation, a curved stairlift may be the better option.

Whatever you choose, make sure your stairlift is CE marked and installed by a team that understands the importance of mobility equipment compliance. At Multicare Mobility, we’re proud to offer both, and we’re always happy to help you make an informed decision.

Need Help? Let’s Talk

Ready to explore your options? Contact us now and we’ll walk you through everything, from straight vs curved stairlifts to pricing, installation, and aftercare.

Useful Resources 

British Healthcare Trades Association (BHTA) - Code of Practice:

https://norfolkstairlifts.co.uk/bhta/#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20BHTA%3F,mobility%2C%20rehabilitation%20or%20homecare%20product.

Health and Safety Executive (HSE) - Stairlift Safety Regulations:

https://www.hse.gov.uk/work-equipment-machinery/passenger-lifts.htm#:~:text=However%2C%20in%20most%20cases%20lifting,to%20either%20LOLER%20or%20PUWER.