Stair gate for difficult space

[MrsHig]

We need a stair gate in anticipation of a child and to prevent the dog from getting muddy foot prints all the way up stairs. Our stairs have 1970's diagonal banisters and a window at the bottom so we will need to put the gate 3 steps up. We can't block the bottom of the stairs as the front door is in the way. I have read various reviews about the Kiddicare retractable gate from really good to don't touch with a barge pole, plus is it three times the price of most others. Is it really that difficult to open one handed? And has anyone got any other suggestions?

We just put gates across the living room and kitchen doors instead of across the bottom of the stairs - it's worth thinking about your layout to see if there are doors or hallways which you can block instead of the stairs themselves. Three stairs up isn't ideal, as they could still fall from there - not as bad as the whole length of the stairs, but still not ideal.

We've got one of the retractable ones at the top of the stairs so it wasn't a trip hazard. Once you get the hang of it, it's fine (although for silent opening you need two hands, but baby in bed by the time you're worried about that, so no probs). My parents and pils never got the hang of it though, which was quite funny.

It's been quite good actually - not needed it for about a year and not noticed it's still there - but coming up to needing it again with dd2 so perfect, all ready.