how to update stairs?

[Kveta]

we have a crappy old set of banisters on the stairs (see pic from day we moved in!) which are in desperate need of replacing, but we are utterly clueless about how to go about it!

I have seen adverts for a company called Neville Johnson which does staircase replacement and improvements, but they look a bit too stylish for our house, and we just want something quite simple.

Does anyone have any ideas/experience of this sort of thing, and could make any suggestions?

We are in the south east :)

thanks!

Well you could just paint them another colour or strip them and wax or stain or varnish them. You could replace the wooden struts with metal tension wires or put glass panels in between the uprights. Depends on the style of the place and your tastes. A good builder should be able to give you some quotes/ideas. If there are similar houses around you, what have the neighbours done? You might glean some ideas from them.

clivedurose.co.uk/our-products/stair-parts/square-balusters-and-newels/

My PILs had similar and put in very simple newel posts and spindles - a bit like in the link above (They didn't use those people , I think a carpenter did it - was just trying to get a similar picture)

Theirs are painted white. They look smart and classic without being twee or trendy.

thank you both :) we have found a local carpenter (well, 2 of them!) to give us some quotes, so we can get some ideas of cost. I like the simple newel posts and spindles, need to work out the lingo before the carpenters come round though!!